Rashid Khan breaks Shahid Afridi's record with a four-wicket haul against Ireland

The recently concluded second T20I between Afghanistan and Ireland in Dehradun was nothing less than a nightmare for the bowlers. The game saw a total of 472 runs being scored in the 40 overs as Afghanistan thrashed Ireland by 84 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Batting first, Afghanistan piled up a record 278 for 3 with Hazratullah Zazai’s unbeaten 162-run knock being the highlight of the show. In reply, Ireland came up with a good fight but eventually ended on 194 for 6.

However, in a game where all the focus was firmly set on Hazratullah, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan managed to steal his thunder for a while with his exceptional bowling. While most of the bowlers were being taken to cleaners, Rashid proved his class with the ball once again. He finished the game with stunning figures of 4 for 25. And in doing so, the leggie ended up creating history.

Rashid now holds the record of most wickets against the same team in T20Is. Rashid broke former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi‘s record to achieve this incredible milestone. The leg-spinner now has 24 wickets against Ireland in just nine matches at an average of 7.58.

On the other hand, Afridi had taken 21 wickets against New Zealand in 15 games. Rashid and Afridi are followed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (19 wickets against Windies) and Saeed Ajmal (19 against Australia). Rashid, who is the number one T20I bowler in the world at the moment, has so far taken 70 wickets in just 37 T20Is.

Most wickets against an opponent in T20I cricket:

23* wickets – RASHID KHAN vs IRE (9 matches)
21 wickets – Shahid Afridi vs NZ (15)
19 wickets – Shakib Al Hasan vs WI (10)
19 wickets – Saeed Ajmal vs AUS (11)#AFGvIRE

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 23, 2019

Night of records

Afghanistan’s win over Ireland would be remembered for the several records that were created during the game.  The opening stand of 236 between Hazratullah and Usman Ghani is the highest partnership for any wicket in the history of T20 cricket. Afghanistan’s innings contained 22 sixes which is the most by a team in a T20I innings.

Afghanistan’s total of 278 for 3 is also the highest-ever total in T20Is, beating the 263 for 3 Australia had made against Sri Lanka in 2016.

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