Rashid Khan becomes first bowler to take 200 T20I wickets as Afghanistan seal series against Zimbabwe

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has become the first bowler in history to take 200 wickets in men’s T20 internationals. He reached the landmark during Afghanistan’s second T20I against Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday, 29 October, in a match Afghanistan won by 19 runs to seal the three-match series.

The record wicket came in the ninth over of Zimbabwe’s chase, when Rashid trapped wicketkeeper-batter Tadiwanashe Marumani leg before wicket for two runs. It was his 200th wicket in his 120th T20 international, and he finished the match with figures of one for 29 from four overs. Rashid made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2015, so the same opponents were on the field when he reached the mark. England’s Adil Rashid is next on the all-time list, with 171 wickets from 153 matches — 29 behind.

The record came on a dramatic night. Afghanistan were in deep trouble at 38 for five after being sent in to bat, before Azmatullah Omarzai rescued the innings with a maiden T20I hundred, 116 from 50 balls, in a 142-run stand with Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, who made 52. Rashid added a late flourish of his own, 25 not out from just six balls, as Afghanistan posted 221 for seven. Zimbabwe fought back through captain Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten century but finished on 202 for five.

Why it matters

No bowler had ever reached 200 wickets in men’s T20 internationals before, and Rashid got there in 30 fewer matches than the next man on the list. He also leads the overall T20 wicket charts across international and domestic cricket, with 742 wickets in 551 matches — the only bowler past 700. For Afghanistan, a team that only became a Test-playing nation in 2017, having the format’s leading wicket-taker as captain is a sign of how far its cricket has come.

What happens next

The third and final T20I was due to be played on Sunday, 1 November, again in Sharjah, with Afghanistan chasing a 3-0 clean sweep. Rashid will have the chance to stretch his record further, while Zimbabwe will be playing for pride and a consolation win before the teams move on.

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Sources

• https://sports.247news.pk/rashid-khan-creates-history-becomes-first-bowler-to-reach-200-t20i-wickets/ (Sport 247 News, 31 October 2026)
• https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/rashid-khan-becomes-first-bowler-to-claim-200-wickets-in-mens-t20is/?amp=1 (CricTracker, 30 October 2026)
• https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/historic-rashid-khan-becomes-first-spinner-to-achieve-this-remarkable-t20i-feat-457543.html (MyKhel, 30 October 2026)