Afghanistan's Farooqi Sets New Wicket Record At T20 World Cup
Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi made history on Thursday, June 27, by becoming the bowler with the most wickets in a single T20 World Cup edition. He achieved this milestone during Afghanistan's semifinal match against South Africa in Tarouba, Trinidad.
Farooqi took his 17th wicket by dismissing South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock. He finished the game with figures of 1/11 in two overs. This performance brought his total to 17 wickets in eight matches, with an average of 9.41 and an economy rate of 6.31. His best bowling figures are 5/9.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) - 17 wickets in 2024
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 16 wickets in 2021
- Arshdeep Singh (India) - 15 wickets in 2024
- Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) - 15 wickets in 2012
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 15 wickets in 2022
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 14 wickets in 2024
- Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh) - 14 wickets in 2024
- Dirk Nannes (Australia) - 14 wickets in 2010
- Sam Curran (England) - 13 wickets in 2022
- Umar Gul (Pakistan) - 13 wickets in 2008
The previous record for most wickets in a single T20 World Cup was held by Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who took 16 scalps during the UAE-hosted edition in 2021. Hasaranga also shares third place with Ajantha Mendis and India's Arshdeep Singh, each having taken 15 wickets.
This tournament has seen Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan and Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain tie Australia's Dirk Nannes' tally of 14 wickets. Other bowlers tied on this number include Naveen-ul-Haq, Trent Boult, Anrich Nortje, and Adam Zampa.
In the semifinal match, Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. However, South African pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Anrich Nortje quickly reduced them to a precarious position at 28/6.
Karim Janat and Rashid Khan tried to counterattack but could only manage eight runs each before Afghanistan was bowled out for just 56 runs in under twelve overs. Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen were the standout bowlers for South Africa with three wickets each.
The Proteas lost Quinton de Kock early during their chase but Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram guided them to victory within nine overs. Hendricks scored an unbeaten 29 off 25 balls while Markram contributed an unbeaten 23 off 21 balls.
This win ensured that South Africa remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and secured their first-ever final appearance convincingly. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's remarkable journey ended at the semifinal stage.
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