Shaheen Shah Afridi 9 wickets short of achieving major landmark for Pakistan in World Test Championship
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set to lead Pakistan's bowling attack in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The Asian neighbors will meet in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to August 25. The second Test will be held at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
During the two-match series, Afridi will have a chance to become the first bowler from Pakistan to claim 100 wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC). The left-arm pacer already holds the record of being the team's leading wicket-taker in the WTC. In 24 Test matches, he has picked up 91 wickets at an average of 27.23, with three five-fers and nine four-fers, and a best of 6-51.
Fellow pacer Naseem Shah is a distant second on the list of Pakistan bowlers to have claimed the most wickets in the World Test Championship. The 21-year-old right-arm pacer has picked up 51 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 33.82, with one five-fer and two four-fers. Naseem is followed by Yasir Shah (41), Noman Ali Abrar Ahmed (38) and Hasan Ali (35).
Breaking down Shaheen Shah Afridi's performance in the World Test Championship
Pakistan's lead pacer Afridi has played seven matches against Australia in the World Test Championship, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 38.40, with a best of 4-76. The 24-year-old has also played five matches against Sri Lanka, picking up 18 scalps at an average of 27.16, with a best of 5-77.
The left-arm pacer has also played three Tests each against Bangladesh and England in the WTC, claiming 15 and five wickets respectively. Afridi has excelled against the West Indies, claiming 18 wickets in two matches at an average of 11.27, with a best of 6-51. Further, the Pakistan pacer has played two Tests each against New Zealand and South Africa, claiming six and seven scalps respectively.
Afridi has played eight matches at home in the World Test Championship, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 27.72, with one five-wicket haul. He has played 16 away Tests and has picked 62 wickets at an average of 27, with two five-fers.