Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved a monumental landmark on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. By dismissing opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Afridi became the first Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in the history of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
This feat cements his status as the premier red-ball strike bowler for his nation since the championship’s inception in 2019.
Joining the Global Elite
The 26-year-old left-arm pacer has now joined an exclusive global club, becoming only the 19th bowler overall to reach the triple-digit mark in the WTC. While Australia’s Nathan Lyon currently leads the all-time standings with 210 wickets, Afridi’s rapid ascent at a young age highlights his importance to Pakistan’s bowling attack. His ability to provide early breakthroughs has been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s Test campaigns over the last three cycles.
A Stellar Run Across Formats
Afridi’s WTC milestone follows a dominant performance in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he captained the Lahore Qalandars and bagged 16 wickets at a remarkable average of 18.19. His international resume continues to grow across all formats:
- Tests: 121 wickets in 33 matches (Average: 27.92)
- ODIs: 139 wickets in 74 matches (Average: 25.13)
- T20Is: 136 wickets in 103 matches (Average: 21.35)
Pakistan’s Leading Wicket-Taker
As Pakistan looks to climb the WTC points table in the 2025-2027 cycle, Afridi remains their most potent weapon. His career-best Test figures of 6 for 51 and his consistent knack for swinging the new ball under pressure have made him a feared opponent globally. With several years of cricket ahead of him, Afridi is well-positioned to break further national and international records in the longest format of the game.