Shaheen Shah Afridi struck thrice as Pakistan managed to reduce Bangladesh to 204 in their ODI World Cup league stage clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Tuesday.
The left armer, who removed Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudullah, now stands atop the wickets chart for the ongoing tournament with 16 scalps from seven games. In doing so, Shaheen has also managed to enter the all-time wickets tally for Pakistan in the ODI World Cup.
You can try your hand at solving our Cricket World Cup crossword
With his three wickets on Tuesday, Shaheen overtook his father-in-law and former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi as well as Shoaib Akhtar – both of whom nabbed 30 wickets.
Most Read
Cricket World Cup: Why India is not in the semifinals yet despite winning six out of six games
‘Ghatiya harkat’, ‘Pathetic’: Pakistan cricket legends livid as Pakistan news channel airs Babar Azam’s purported WhatsApp chats
With 32 wickets at an incredible average of 17.28, Shaheen now sits only behind former World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan (34), Wahab Riaz (35) and Wasim Akram (55).
“He (Shaheen Afridi) is a different class. He comes and takes wickets with the new ball, puts the opposition under pressure and that’s good for us,” said Haris Rauf in the innings break at Eden Gardens.
Shaheen had made his World Cup debut for Pakistan in the previous edition of the tournament four years ago in England and Wales, managing to pick 16 wickets during the same time.
