Shaheen Afridi becomes world’s most decorated fast bowler in T20I tournaments.
Despite many highs and ups in his career, the left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to remind the world of his enduring class, just as he did last night against Bangladesh.
The former captain not only delivered with the ball but chipped in with the bat once again to help his side reach the final after a tense 11-run win.
Defending a modest 136, Pakistan’s bowling attack held its nerve to restrict Bangladesh to 124 for nine. Leading the charge was Shaheen Afridi, who returned exceptional figures of 3 for 17, dismantling Bangladesh’s top order and tilting the game decisively in Pakistan’s favour.
The 25-year-old’s impact wasn’t limited to the ball. Coming in during a crucial phase, Shaheen struck 19 runs off just 13 deliveries, hammering two towering sixes that proved pivotal in pushing Pakistan to a defendable total.
This all-round performance earned him his tenth career Man of the Match award in T20 internationals, now the record for the most by a fast bowler.
Most Man of the Match Awards in T20Is (Fast Bowlers)
| Rank | Fast Bowler | Country | MoM Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | 10 | |
| 2 | Shane Watson | Australia | 9 | |
| 3 | JJ Smit | Namibia | 8 | |
| 4 | Karan KC | Nepal | 7 | |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 6 |
More significantly, in ACC and ICC tournaments (Asia Cup and T20 World Cup combined), Shaheen Afridi now also holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards by a Pakistani, with five—surpassing Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
Most Man of the Match Awards in T20I Tournaments (Pakistan)
| Rank | Player | Awards | Tournaments Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 5 | Asia Cup & T20 World Cup |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | 4 | Asia Cup & T20 World Cup |
| 3 | Mohammad Rizwan | 3 | Asia Cup & T20 World Cup |
Shaheen Afridi in ICC and ACC T20 Tournaments
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches | 23 |
| Wickets | 32 |
| Bowling Average | 17.90 |
| Economy Rate | 6.67 |
| Runs Scored | 141 |
| Batting Average | 47.00 |
| Strike Rate | 180.76 |
| Sixes | 13 |
| Man of the Match Awards | 5 (Most by a Pakistani) |
Shaheen’s consistency in high-pressure tournaments has made him Pakistan’s ultimate match-winner. His knack for delivering breakthroughs with the new ball and contributing crucial runs lower down the order adds a rare dimension to the side.
As Pakistan gear up for a blockbuster final against India, Afridi’s form with both bat and ball will be their biggest asset. If recent performances are anything to go by, Pakistan’s talisman seems ready to script yet another unforgettable night.
