Follow UsAfghanistan sensation Rashid Khan has overtaken legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne to become the second-fastest spinner in ODIs to reach the 200-wicket milestone.
The Afghan bowling all-rounder reached the landmark in his 115th game, 10 matches earlier than Warne.
Warne had reached the much celebrated figure in his 125th ODI, which also turned out to be the final of the 1999 World Cup where Australia beat Pakistan to lift the trophy after 12 years.
Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq is the fastest spinner (104 matches) and second-fastest bowler ever after Australian Mitchell Starc (102) to reach the 200-wicket mark in ODIs.
Playing against Bangladesh in the first of the three-match ODI series between the two teams in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Rashid took three crucial wickets. He dismissed Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz (60), Jaker Ali (10) and wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan (7) in a matter of just six overs and 20 runs to break the back of Bangladeshi batting.
As a result of this havoc caused by Rashid, Bangladesh could manage only 221 runs in 48.5 overs. It was never going to be enough, and the Afghans chased it down with five wickets in hand and more than three overs to spare. They now have a 1-0 lead in the series.