Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed his 150th one-day international wicket on Sunday 25 October, dismissing England opener Tom Banton in the opening over of Pakistan's tri-series match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The left-arm pacer needed just 80 matches to reach the landmark, making him the fastest pace bowler from Pakistan to achieve the feat in the 50-over format. The breakthrough in the very first over of the match made the occasion even more memorable for the home crowd.

Among the fastest ever

The milestone places Afridi among the quickest bowlers in ODI history to reach 150 wickets. Only former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has reached the mark more quickly among all Pakistan bowlers, doing so in 78 matches. Afridi's tally of 80 matches ties him with India's Mohammed Shami and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, while Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane leads the chart outright in 73 matches and Australia's Mitchell Starc needed 77. New Zealand's Trent Boult took 81 matches, placing him just outside the trio.

Pakistan's spearhead

Afridi's ability to swing the new ball and strike early has long made him one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in modern cricket, and the Banton dismissal was a fitting illustration of that quality. The match was the fourth of the ongoing ODI tri-series against England, with both sides looking to secure a place in the final. For Pakistan, Afridi's form with the new ball remains central to their plans, and the 150-wicket landmark underlines a career that, at his pace of accumulation, could yet climb much higher in the record books.