Stats: Shaheen Afridi becomes first Pakistan bowler to take 100+ wickets in all three formats

Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Afridi created history by becoming the first Pakistan bowler to take 100-plus wickets in each format. The Pakistan team is in South Africa where they commenced the tour with a three-match T20I series at the Kingsmead in Durban. Though the match ended in a tough 11-run loss there were still some positives to look back upon for the visitors.

A notable performance came from Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Afridi, who bowled a brilliant spell of 3/22 in his four overs, which included big wickets of Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller. Afridi’s spell helped Pakistan to restrict the South Africans to 183. The Rainbow Nation at one stage was looking good to score above 200 but fell short in the end.

Pakistan batters might have failed to chase down the total but a memorable moment for the team and Afridi came in the match as he created another milestone, ending up being the first Pakistan bowler to take 100-plus wickets in all three formats. Shaheen, apart from completing 100 wickets in T20Is, has also taken 116 wickets in Tests and 112 wickets in ODIs taking his international tally of wickets to 328.

Also read: Twitter Reactions: Pakistan fail to match South Africa’s intent, suffer 11-run defeat in first T20I

Shaheen and Rizwan - The only lone performers for Pakistan

Though this was a relatively close match between the two sides, it was Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Afridi who kept the hopes alive for them. Afridi’s three-fer was what got Pakistan in the game where he took the wickets at the top. Apart from him, Rizwan was also making sure his side was still in the game by playing an incredible knock of 74 from 62 deliveries but was let down by the other batters and in the end it was the incredible innings of Miller and the all-round performance of George Linde which gave the hosts the lead in the series.