Rauf joins the elite club of Pakistani bowlers who have made significant contributions to the team's success in T20Is
In a notable achievement during the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf has completed 100 wickets in T20 internationals. This milestone was reached in a match against Canada, held at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Tuesday.
Rauf has etched his name in the record books as he becomes just the second Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat in T20Is. The only other Pakistani bowler to have surpassed the 100-wicket mark in T20Is is Shadab Khan, the leg-spinning all-rounder.
With this accomplishment, Rauf joins the elite club of Pakistani bowlers who have made significant contributions to the team's success in T20Is. Shadab Khan remains at the top of the list, having taken 107 wickets in 103 matches. Rauf now stands second with 101 wickets in 71 matches, followed by the legendary Shahid Afridi, who has 98 wickets in 98 matches, and Umar Gul, who took 85 wickets in 60 matches.
Here is a look at the most wickets taken by Pakistani bowlers in T20Is:
- Shadab Khan: 107 wickets in 103 matches
- Haris Rauf: 101 wickets in 71 matches
- Shahid Afridi: 98 wickets in 98 matches
- Umar Gul: 85 wickets in 60 matches
Rauf's milestone is not just a testament to his skill and consistency but also marks him as the quickest Pakistani pacer to achieve this feat. He is the third fastest bowler overall to reach the 100-wicket mark in T20Is, completing it in just 71 matches. Only Rashid Khan of Afghanistan and Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka have reached this milestone faster.
Fastest to 100 Wickets in T20Is:
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): 100 wickets in 53 matches
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): 100 wickets in 63 matches
- Haris Rauf (Pakistan): 100 wickets in 71 matches
- Mark Adair (Ireland): 100 wickets in 72 matches
- Bilal Khan (Oman): 100 wickets in 72 matches
Haris Rauf's milestone comes at a critical time for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. After suffering defeats in their first two matches against the United States and India, Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the Super 8 are hanging by a thread. The Green Shirts find themselves in a must-win situation against Canada, and Rauf's form will be pivotal to their success.
Currently, Pakistan's prospects of making it to the next stage depend on not just winning their remaining matches but also on the results of other Group A games. If they manage to win against Canada and subsequently against Ireland, they will keep their hopes alive. However, a loss against Canada today would spell the end of their campaign, as they would be eliminated with three consecutive defeats.