Rashid Khan Joins Top Ten Active Wicket-Takers After Stellar Performance Against Ireland
Rashid Khan's Remarkable Achievement
In a thrilling fourth ODI held in Belfast, Afghanistan's spinner Rashid Khan made headlines by entering the top ten list of active wicket-takers. His impressive bowling figures of 3 for 49 in 10 overs played a crucial role in Afghanistan's significant victory over Ireland.
With this performance, Rashid surpassed Indian bowler Mohammed Shami, who has 462 wickets, and now stands at ninth place with a total of 464 wickets from 244 matches, boasting an impressive average of 17.15. His record includes 14 four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 7 for 18.
Leading the active players in wicket-taking is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who has claimed 759 wickets at an average of 25.28, including 27 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls, with best figures of 7 for 58.
The all-time highest wicket-taker remains Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who achieved 1,347 wickets in 495 matches at an average of 22.86, including 77 four-wicket hauls and 22 five-wicket hauls, with best figures of 9 for 51.
In the match itself, Ireland chose to bowl first, and Afghanistan capitalized on this decision with stellar centuries from Sediqullah Atal, who scored 143 runs off 120 balls, and Ibrahim Zadran, who contributed 107 runs off 118 balls. This helped Afghanistan post a formidable total of 343 for 9.
Zadran also made history by becoming the eighth Afghan player to reach 2,000 ODI runs, accumulating 2,105 runs in just 45 innings at an average of 50.11, including seven centuries and ten fifties, with a highest score of 177.
For Ireland, Byron McDonough, Mark Adair, and Gavin Hoey were the standout bowlers, taking 3 for 84, 2 for 60, and 2 for 71, respectively.
During Ireland's chase, Andy Balbirnie scored 109 runs off 119 balls, while Curtis Campher added 84 runs off just 46 balls. However, Yamin Ahmadzai's 4 for 71 and Rashid's 3 for 49 were instrumental in restricting Ireland to 301 all out in 48 overs.
With this victory, Afghanistan has clinched the five-match series with a 3-0 lead, and Atal was awarded the 'Player of the Match'.