Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has added another milestone to his growing list of achievements, drawing level with legendary fast bowler Umar Gul for the second-most first-over wickets in ODI cricket by a Pakistani bowler.
During the opening match of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Afridi struck early, dismissing Will Young caught behind on just the fourth delivery of the match.
With this, he took his first-over wickets tally to nine in ODIs, equaling Gul on the all-time list.
Only two Pakistani bowlers—Mohammad Irfan and Wasim Akram—sit above him, both having claimed 10 wickets in the first over of an ODI.
Most ODI Wickets in the First Over for Pakistan:
- Mohammad Irfan – 10
- Wasim Akram – 10
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – 9
- Umar Gul – 9
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Afridi, who already holds the record for the most first-over wickets in T20s, once again proved why he is one of the most lethal new-ball bowlers in world cricket. His early strike gave Pakistan the upper hand as the visitors found themselves at 39/2 inside 7.4 overs.
However, New Zealand fought back through a 95-run third-wicket stand between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, shifting the momentum in their favour.
Just when the game seemed to be slipping away, Afridi stepped up again, breaking the partnership by removing Williamson in the 27th over.
Haris Rauf further dented New Zealand’s innings in the very next over, dismissing Tom Latham for a duck, putting Pakistan back in control.
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