Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan made history on Monday, September 1, by becoming the leading wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals. The star leg-spinner achieved the record during Afghanistan’s match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah, where his three-wicket haul helped his team secure their first victory in the ongoing tri-series.
Rashid needed just four wickets to overtake New Zealand pacer Tim Southee’s tally of 164 wickets before the tri-series began. He picked up one wicket in the first game against Pakistan and added three more against UAE, bringing his total to 165 T20I wickets in just 98 innings. This makes him the fastest bowler to reach the milestone. Southee, who now sits second, had achieved his 164 wickets in 123 innings.
This achievement adds another feather to Rashid’s already decorated cap. He is also the highest wicket-taker in all of T20 cricket, including domestic leagues, with an unbelievable 664 wickets to his name.
The updated list of leading T20I wicket-takers now reads:
165 – Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) in 98 innings
164 – Tim Southee (New Zealand) in 123 innings
150 – Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) in 121 innings
149 – Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) in 126 innings
142 – Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) in 112 innings
The gap between Rashid and the others shows his dominance in the shortest format of the game. While players like Sodhi and Mustafizur are still active and could add more wickets, Rashid’s strike rate and consistency make him a standout performer.
For Afghanistan, Rashid has been a match-winner ever since he made his debut. His variations, speed through the air, and ability to bowl in pressure situations have made him one of the toughest bowlers to face in world cricket. His success in T20 leagues around the globe has only added to his reputation.
Afghanistan’s win over UAE was also important for their tri-series campaign. They had suffered a heavy loss to Pakistan in their opening match and needed a strong performance to stay in contention. Playing at Sharjah, the UAE won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Afghanistan’s batting unit stepped up this time. Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran both scored impressive half-centuries, giving the team a solid platform. Later, Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat provided quick runs in the final overs, adding 43 runs in just 22 balls together. Their effort pushed Afghanistan’s total to 188 runs, a competitive score on the Sharjah pitch.
For the UAE, chasing such a total was always going to be tough. They needed their top-order batsmen to play big innings. Their captain Muhammad Waseem and Rahul Chopra did try, scoring half-centuries each. However, once Rashid Khan came into the attack, the middle-order crumbled under pressure.
Along with Rashid’s three wickets, bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi and Sharafuddin Ashraf also played key roles in breaking partnerships early. Eventually, the UAE fell short, losing their second straight match in the series. Afghanistan, on the other hand, registered their first points on the board.
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Rashid Khan’s achievement is not just about numbers. It also reflects his leadership qualities and his ability to inspire his team in crucial games. As captain, he leads from the front, taking responsibility when his team needs him the most. Against UAE, his wickets came at a time when the opponents were looking comfortable, and his breakthroughs shifted the match back in Afghanistan’s favor.
Over the years, Rashid has developed into more than just a bowler. His handy batting and electric fielding have also won matches for Afghanistan. But it is his bowling, especially in T20 cricket, that continues to define him. He has proved that spinners can dominate in a format often considered favorable to batters.
His record will be difficult to beat not only because of the numbers but also because of the pace at which he collects wickets. Few bowlers in the world have his control, consistency, and ability to deceive batsmen with variations.
With this win, Afghanistan has bounced back in the tri-series, but they will need to continue their momentum against tougher opponents like Pakistan. Rashid’s form will be crucial if they want to challenge stronger teams and make a mark in international T20 cricket.
For Rashid himself, the journey is far from over. At just 26 years of age, he still has many years of cricket left. If he continues at this pace, he could set a record in T20I wickets that may remain untouched for a long time. His success also brings pride to Afghanistan cricket, showing how far the team has come on the international stage.
As the tri-series progresses, all eyes will remain on Rashid Khan—not just as a captain and leader, but as the bowler who continues to redefine success in the T20 format.
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