Afghanistan's star leg-spinner Rashid Khan on February 5 scripted history as he became the highest wicket-taker in the format (including T20Is, domestic T20 cricket, franchise T20 leagues). Rashid overtook legendary pace-bowling all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who has 631 wickets from 582 games.
Rashid's record-breaking scalps
In the SA20 2025 Qualifier 1 clash at St George's Park, Gqerberha, Rashid surpassed Bravo with the wicket of Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage. The MI Cape Town captain then got rid of Paarl Royals' experienced wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik. In his quota of four overs, he conceded 33 runs and bagged a couple of wickets. Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada and Corbin Bosch claimed two wickets each as David Miller's Paarl Royals were bowled out for 160 in 19.5 overs and lost the match by 39 runs.
Rashid in a league of his own
Last month, Rashid tied with Bravo's tally of wickets with a couple of scalps against Pretoria Capitals. The 26-year-old who made his T20 debut in 2015 now has 633 wickets from 461 games at an average of over 18. His economy rate is impressive at six and a half runs per over. He has claimed four five-wicket hauls and 16 four-fers.
Among current cricketers, no other bowler has more than 600 wickets in the format. The next on the list among active cricketers is West Indies' veteran mystery spinner Sunil Narine with 574 wickets from 536 games. Rashid, a T20 legend already, is a class apart. The next on the list for Afghanistan is Mohammad Nabi who has 369 wickets from 430 games. Going at this pace, Rashid has a chance to become the first to 1,000 T20 wickets if he remains injury-free.
MI Cape Town's maiden SA20 final
Rashid will now bowl in the final of the SA20 2025 on February 8. He will look to lead MI Cape Town to their maiden SA20 title. This is the first time MI Cape Town have managed to reach the SA20 final. So far, he has taken 11 wickets from 10 games in the ongoing season at an average of 21.81.
What Rashid said after the match
"Great feeling. First couple of years we finished at the bottom. I think the way we played in the group stage was brilliant. Everyone has been taking on the pressure and trying to perform. Under pressure, everyone has been responding. You need a good start in this short format. Rickelton and Rassie give us a good platform. They have been outstanding," Rashid said in the post-match presentation.
"This year things have been going perfectly. We have been doing a great job. It is tough to come back in this format. The first over went for 21. But KG showed all his experience. It is a great achievement (highest T20 wicket-taker). Proud feeling to have topped the table."