Shaheen Shah Afridi Joins Elite Club with 350 International Wickets

Pakistan’s pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi has etched his name among the modern greats by completing 350 wickets in international cricket. This landmark came during the first One Day International (ODI) against the West Indies at Tarouba, a ground known for testing fast bowlers. The achievement further cements Shaheen’s status as one of Pakistan’s most valuable assets in world cricket.

Shaheen Afridi’s Career Milestone

Since making his debut, Shaheen has consistently delivered match-winning performances. With his latest outing, he has now claimed 351 wickets in 177 matches across formats, maintaining an impressive bowling average of 24.77. His best bowling in an innings remains 6 for 35, and his record includes seven five-wicket hauls and a coveted ten-wicket match haul.

Breakdown by Format

Format	Matches	Wickets	Average	Best Bowling	4-Wicket Hauls	5-Wicket Hauls
ODI	65	131	24.01	6/35	8	3
Test	30+	105+	Approx. 27	6/51	—	4
T20I	70+	115+	Approx. 22	4/22	Several	—
Total	177	351	24.77	6/35	8+	7

Standing Among Pakistan’s Bowling Legends

Pakistan has a deep-rooted legacy of developing some of the world’s top fast bowlers. Shaheen’s numbers at this stage of his career draw comparisons with the early years of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. While Wasim remains the all-time leader with 916 international wickets at 23.57, Waqar followed closely with 789 wickets in 349 matches. Shaheen also finds himself compared to speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who terrorized batters with 444 wickets and raw pace.

First ODI – Match Summary

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan struck early through Shaheen. He removed one of the openers quickly, setting the tone. Naseem Shah delivered a controlled spell, claiming 3 wickets for 55 runs, as the spin attack kept the batsmen under constant pressure in the middle phase. The West Indies, however, counterattacked with solid half-centuries:

Evin Lewis compiled 60 runs, combining cautious batting with moments of aggression.
Shai Hope – 55 runs, anchoring the innings
Roston Chase made 53 runs, stepping up the scoring pace in the closing overs.

The hosts looked set for a big total but faltered in the last 10 overs, finishing just short of what might have been a match-winning score.

Pakistan’s Chase – From Pressure to Partnership

Chasing a tricky target, Pakistan’s innings began solidly but wavered in the middle. Team captain Babar Azam compiled a smooth 47 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 53 to the total. At 180/5, however, the game was in the balance.

An exceptional unbeaten partnership between Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Talat eased the mounting pressure. Nawaz’s 63 off 54 balls was a mix of elegant drives and powerful strokes, while Talat’s 41 off 37 balls was the glue that held the chase together.

Batsman	Runs	Balls Faced	Strike Rate
Hasan Nawaz	63*	54	116.67
Hussain Talat	41*	37	110.81
Partnership Total	104 Runs (Unbeaten)

Pakistan carries a strong tradition of cultivating elite fast bowlers recognized worldwide.

What This Means for Pakistan Cricket

Shaheen’s consistency is a major boost ahead of the upcoming ICC events. His skill in taking wickets with the new ball and turning it back during the final overs ranks him among the most intimidating bowlers worldwide. Alongside rising pacers like Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s fast-bowling depth looks formidable.

Batting-wise, the emergence of Hasan Nawaz as a finisher could be a game-changer. The team has often relied heavily on the top order, but middle-order partnerships like this one add much-needed stability.

Looking Ahead

With the ICC Champions Trophy and World Cup nearing, Pakistan intends to polish and strengthen its squad. Shaheen’s workload management will be critical to ensure he remains fresh for marquee events. If Pakistan can combine its fiery pace attack with a stable batting order, it could become one of the most dangerous teams in the cricketing world.

Shaheen Afridi Reaches 350 International Wickets | Pakistan Cricket Milestone