Dubai: Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan has etched his name into cricketing history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in international T20 cricket. Known for his game-changing spells in both international cricket and the IPL, Rashid is now not just the captain of his national side but also the face of Afghanistan’s remarkable rise in the global game.
The record came during the ongoing tri-nation series in the UAE. Rashid’s three wickets against the hosts on Tuesday pushed him past New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who previously held the top spot. Only a day earlier, Rashid had dismantled Pakistan’s middle order with two wickets, signaling his consistent dominance.
With this feat, Rashid now boasts 167 wickets in just 99 T20 internationals an extraordinary achievement for a player who made his debut only a decade ago, in 2015. Cricket analysts already consider him one of Afghanistan’s greatest ever players, with his mastery of leg-spin inspiring a new generation of cricketers in the country.
In sharp contrast, India’s bowling lineup has failed to break into the global top ten for T20 wickets. Arshdeep Singh currently leads the Indian tally with 99 wickets from 66 matches an impressive number, but still far from matching Rashid’s towering figures.
Rashid’s rise underscores both the growing influence of Afghan cricket and the widening gap in India’s ability to produce world-dominating T20 bowlers. As Afghanistan celebrates a historic moment, the absence of Indian names in the elite bracket raises questions about the future of India’s short-format bowling arsenal.