Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Trailblazing Journey to Become the No.1 ODI Bowler in World Cup 2023

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Trailblazing Journey to Become the No.1 ODI Bowler in World Cup 2023

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Remarkable Rise to the Top of ODI Bowling Rankings in the 2023 World Cup

By:- Aijaz Rather

01/11/2023 (JKNN) : In a spectacular turn of events at the 2023 World Cup, Shaheen Shah Afridi, the talented Pakistani pacer, has made an astounding leap in the ODI bowling rankings. On November 1, 2023, he ascended seven places to claim the coveted No.1 position as the premier ODI fast bowler, outshining the Australian speedster, Josh Hazlewood.

Shaheen’s rise to the top was a testament to his outstanding performance in the World Cup. In this competition, he not only exhibited his prowess but also demonstrated his consistency as he became the joint-highest wicket-taker. His exceptional achievements include being the fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in ODIs, a feat he accomplished in just 51 matches. This historic achievement occurred when he dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim during Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh on a memorable day at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata

Furthermore, Shaheen also joined an elite club as the third-fastest bowler to reach the 100-wicket mark in the 50-over format, following in the footsteps of Rashid Khan and Sandeep Lamichhane. He added to his accolades by becoming the only Pakistani fast bowler to secure multiple five-wicket hauls in World Cups. Even though his remarkable five-wicket performance against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore came in a losing cause, it showcased his immense talent.

In the 2023 World Cup, spanning seven matches, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been instrumental in Pakistan’s success. He has taken 16 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.22 and a remarkable strike rate of 22.87.

With his remarkable performance, Shaheen’s journey to the top of the ODI bowling rankings was nothing short of extraordinary. This ascent had a ripple effect on other bowlers in the rankings. Players such as Hazlewood, India’s Mohammed Siraj, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, New Zealand’s Trent Boult, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, India’s Kuldeep Yadav, and Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman moved down one place in the rankings.

Notably, Haris Rauf also enjoyed a significant climb in the rankings, moving up five places to secure the 26th position. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, experienced a setback, dropping seven places to No.40. Meanwhile, Mohammad Wasim Jr. made substantial progress by gaining 18 places and now holds the 56th position in the rankings.

Shaheen’s next challenge lies ahead as he is set to take the field when Pakistan faces New Zealand on November 4 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. His journey to the top and continued success will undoubtedly be a focal point in the world of cricket, and fans worldwide will be watching his remarkable career with great anticipation.

(JKNEWS NATION)