Shaheen Afridi is the Best Wicket-Taker in ODI Cricket
For almost eighty years of cricket, Pakistan’s fast-bowling heritage has been characterized by the cheers of the audience, the swift movement of a player charging in, and the sound of stumps being dislodged. Within this lineage of greats, Shaheen Shah Afridi has emerged not only as the most recent torchbearer but has ignited the legacy with fervor.
Since his debut on the international stage in 2018, the imposing left-arm bowler has epitomized Pakistan’s passion for pace: fierce, relentless, and deadly when the pressure is at its peak.
Despite whispers regarding a decline in his performance in recent times, the 25-year-old continues to carve his name into the annals of cricket history, countering these claims. Currently, Shaheen has accomplished something that no bowler in the annals of ODI cricket can boast. Among all bowlers with a minimum of 100 wickets, he possesses the highest strike rate ever recorded, indicating that he takes wickets more rapidly than anyone else.
Statistically, Shaheen Afridi strikes every 25.4 balls, placing him ahead of some of the most formidable bowlers, including Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc, and Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis.
Best Career Strike-rate in ODI Cricket:
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) | 2018–2025 | 65 | 64 | 131 | 6/35 | 24.01 | 5.65 | 25.4 | 8 | 3 |
| Mohammed Shami (India) | 2013–2025 | 108 | 107 | 206 | 7/57 | 24.05 | 5.58 | 25.8 | 10 | 6 |
| Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 2010–2024 | 127 | 127 | 244 | 6/28 | 23.40 | 5.26 | 26.6 | 12 | 9 |
| Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 2008–2015 | 87 | 84 | 152 | 6/13 | 21.86 | 4.80 | 27.3 | 7 | 1 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (Sri Lanka) | 2017–2025 | 66 | 65 | 108 | 7/19 | 24.06 | 5.08 | 28.3 | 5 | 4 |
It is not merely about statistics; it is also about the manner in which he achieves it. Over the course of 65 matches, he has dismantled batting line-ups for 131 wickets, frequently turning the tide of matches during his initial spell. His best performance, 6 for 35, stands as a masterclass in seam bowling — a testament that when Shaheen is on point, even the most skilled batters become mere spectators.
What renders this achievement even more extraordinary is the period in which it has been realized. In a format increasingly influenced by aggressive batting and scores exceeding 300, Shaheen Afridi’s capacity to strike every four overs on average — while maintaining an economy rate of 5.65 — underscores his talent, versatility, and determination.
With eight four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls already to his credit, Shaheen continues to bear the aspirations of Pakistan as a player who has transformed modern fast bowling for the nation.
In Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan possesses not only a match-winner but also the most relentless wicket-taker globally. Furthermore, if his recent four-wicket performance against the West Indies serves as any indication, he has no intention of relinquishing his position of dominance in the near future.
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