Stats: Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan achieves mega milestone of 700 wickets in T20 cricket

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan scripted history in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming the first bowler to reach 700 wickets in T20 cricket. The landmark moment came during Afghanistan’s clash against UAE in Delhi on Monday.

Rashid, who entered the contest with 699 wickets, achieved the feat when he dismissed Muhammad Arfan in the 16th over of the UAE innings. It was a very unique dismissal, as the UAE batter hit the stumps with his own bat, handing Rashid his historic 700th scalp.

The Afghan captain had to wait for the milestone. He had picked up his 698th and 699th wickets against South Africa last week but went wicketless in his first 3.2 overs in this encounter, conceding 17 runs from 20 deliveries before the breakthrough arrived. Despite the historic milestone, Rashid kept celebrations minimal, with Afghanistan needing a win and favourable results elsewhere to qualify for the Super Eights.

Rashid has long been ahead in the all-time T20 wicket charts. The retired Dwayne Bravo sits second with 631 wickets, while Sunil Narine is the next best among active players with 613 scalps. He is also the leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with the milestone wicket being his 191st in the format for Afghanistan. New Zealand’s Tim Southee (164 wickets) and Ish Sodhi (162 wickets) trail him on that list.

The 700-wicket mark had been a recurring topic during media interactions in the lead-up to the tournament. Addressing it before the South Africa game, Rashid had some things to say on the record.

“700 wickets, whatever the achievement is, it will continue. I have not kept any target in my mind that I will take 700 wickets and stop – no, when I play for the national team at the World Cup, then I make 100 per cent effort. And when the team requires it, I take the wicket,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Widely regarded as the most prolific wicket-taker in T20 history, Rashid has shown remarkable consistency over the years. Although he has been slightly below his peak since undergoing back surgery in 2023, signs of a strong comeback were visible in Afghanistan’s recent series win over the West Indies.

In Afghanistan’s opening World Cup fixture, he returned figures of 1 for 36 and followed it up by taking three more wickets in his team’s next two fixtures. 

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