In an exhilarating turn of events at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf has etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the quickest pacer to reach 100 T20I wickets in terms of matches played. The dynamic speedster achieved this landmark during his 71st match against Canada at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 11.
While Rauf has secured his spot as the fastest pacer, he still trails behind spinners Rashid Khan (53 matches) and Wanindu Hasaranga (63 matches), who hold the overall record for the fastest to 100 T20I wickets.
The memorable moment came when Rauf dismissed Shreyas Movva, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, clinching his 100th wicket. He further showcased his prowess by dismissing Ravinderpal Singh for a duck in the same over, which was the 10th over of Canada’s innings.
Rauf surpassed the previous record held jointly by Ireland’s Mark Adair and USA’s Bilal Khan, both of whom reached the milestone in 72 matches. Notably, the 30-year-old Rauf has become only the second Pakistani bowler, following all-rounder Shadab Khan, to achieve this feat.
Rauf’s impressive record includes the most T20I wickets against New Zealand and England, with 32 and 21 wickets respectively.
As of now, New Zealand’s Tim Southee holds the record for the most wickets in T20Is, with 157 wickets in 123 matches. In total, 14 players, including Rauf, have taken 100-plus wickets in the T20I format.
Fastest to 100 T20I wickets (by matches):
- Rashid Khan – 53
- Wanindu Hasaranga – 63
- Haris Rauf – 71
- Mark Adair – 72
- Bilal Khan – 72
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Rauf has already made a significant impact, bagging four wickets in the first two games, including an impressive 3/21 against India. His stellar performance also includes five wickets in two games from the recently concluded T20I series against England.
Haris Rauf has made a remarkable comeback in the T20 World Cup after a lengthy injury layoff. The pacer had been sidelined for three months due to a dislocated shoulder sustained during the PSL 2024 in February. This injury caused him to miss crucial matches, including a home series against New Zealand and a tour to Ireland.
Ahead of the ICC mega event, Rauf expressed his optimism about his return. Speaking to reporters in England, he said, “I was injured the last few months, but if you believe in yourself, then the layoff can be a blessing in disguise because you have time to recover and reassess your game plans.” He added, “I felt good coming back to cricket. When you play for your country, it makes you very proud.”
Rauf’s journey and recent achievements have not only made him a key player for Pakistan but also a source of inspiration for many aspiring cricketers. His resilience and dedication continue to propel him towards new heights in the world of cricket.
