A Landmark Achievement in T20 Cricket
Afghanistan’s spin wizard Rashid Khan has etched his name in cricket history, becoming the fastest bowler ever to reach 500 T20 wickets. The 25-year-old achieved this milestone during Gujarat Titans’ clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, dismissing Heinrich Klaasen with his signature googly. Rashid reached the landmark in just 350 matches – 63 games quicker than previous record-holder Dwayne Bravo (413 matches).
Breaking Down Rashid’s Record-Breaking Journey
**By the Numbers:
- Total Wickets: 501* (and counting)
- Best Figures: 6/17 (vs Ireland, 2017)
- Economy Rate: 6.25 (best among top 10 wicket-takers)
- Strike Rate: 14.3 balls per wicket
- 4-wicket hauls: 23
- 5-wicket hauls: 3**
Milestone Timeline:
✔ First 100 wickets: 53 matches
✔ 200 wickets: 121 matches
✔ 300 wickets: 187 matches
✔ 400 wickets: 260 matches
✔ 500 wickets: 350 matches
Why Rashid Khan is the Most Feared T20 Bowler
1. The Unplayable Googly
- Turns sharper than leg-break (average 8.2° deviation)
- Released with identical arm action to stock delivery
- 43% of his wickets come via googlies
2. Speed Variations
- Fastest delivery: 104 kph
- Slowest delivery: 72 kph
- Just 0.23 seconds reaction time for batters
3. Big-Game Pedigree
- IPL: 148 wickets @ 6.67 econ
- T20 World Cups: 40 wickets @ 5.79 econ
- Vs Top 10 Teams: 68% wicket-taking rate
What the Cricket World is Saying
Shane Warne (2019 Tribute):
“He’s the most complete leg-spinner I’ve seen since Anil Kumble. That googly is a work of art.”
AB de Villiers (After 500th Wicket):
“Facing Rashid in nets is harder than match situations. The ball literally whispers lies to you.”
Virat Kohli (2022 Interview):
“You can’t attack him. You just survive and hope he makes a mistake (which he never does).”
The Road Ahead
With 500 wickets at just 25 years old, Rashid is on pace to shatter every T20 bowling record:
- 750 wickets possible by age 30
- Could become first 1000-wicket T20 bowler
- Test cricket debut likely in 2025 (Afghanistan’s return to ICC)
