SHARJAH — Afghanistan's cricketing superstar Rashid Khan reached a monumental personal milestone in the most bizarre of fashions, claiming his 700th T20 wicket via a dead ball, as his side secured a tense five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup Qualifier.
The historic moment arrived in the 18th over of the UAE innings at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With the score at 125/6, Rashid delivered a googly that deceived UAE captain Muhammad Waseem, who missed his sweep shot. The ball ricocheted off Waseem's pad, trickling back onto the stumps and dislodging the bails. However, the celebrations were instantly cut short as the on-field umpires correctly signaled a dead ball, as the delivery had previously made contact with Waseem's helmet.
Under Law 20.4.2.9 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, a ball is declared dead immediately if it becomes trapped between the bat and person of the batter or between items of their clothing or equipment. In this case, the ball had brushed Waseem's helmet after pitching, nullifying any subsequent action. Rashid, initially raising his arms in triumph, was left with a wry smile of disbelief. He would, however, not be denied for long.
A Milestone Sealed Moments Later
Two legitimate deliveries later, Rashid finally etched his name into the record books. He clean bowled Waseem with a classic, faster leg-break that crashed into the off-stump. The iconic celebration—arms aloft, face beaming—finally commenced, acknowledging the weight of the achievement. At just 25 years old, Rashid became the youngest bowler and only the fourth ever to reach 700 wickets in T20 cricket, joining an elite club featuring Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Imran Tahir.
Reflecting on the unusual sequence after the match, Rashid displayed his characteristic humility and humor. He stated, "It was a funny moment. For a second, I thought I had the 700th, and then I saw the umpire's signal. I just told myself to focus on the next ball. The most important thing was that we won the game and kept our hopes alive for the main tournament."
Afghanistan's Nerve-Wracking Chase
The victory was crucial for Afghanistan's ambitions of qualifying for the main Asia Cup group stage. After winning the toss and electing to field, they restricted UAE to a competitive 166/7 in their 20 overs. Key contributions came from:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (49 off 28): Provided a blistering start to the chase.
- Mohammad Nabi (35 not out): The veteran's ice-cool finishing.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/25): Early breakthroughs with the new ball.
Despite the strong start, the chase stuttered in the middle overs. UAE's spinners, particularly Aayan Afzal Khan, applied pressure, reducing Afghanistan from 85/1 to 124/5. The game hung in the balance, requiring calm heads under the Sharjah lights. It was here that the experience of Mohammad Nabi, alongside the young Karim Janat, proved decisive. Their unbroken 43-run partnership guided Afghanistan home with five balls to spare.
World Cup Implications Loom Large
Beyond the Asia Cup qualifier, this match carried significant weight for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Both teams are placed in the same first-round group (Group C) alongside New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. This victory gives Afghanistan a critical psychological edge and two vital points heading into the global tournament in the West Indies and USA. Nabi emphasized this point, saying, "Winning these close games builds character. It shows we can handle pressure, which is what World Cup cricket is all about."
The Legacy of Rashid Khan
Rashid's journey to 700 T20 wickets is a testament to his unparalleled skill and consistency. Since his debut in 2015, he has dominated the shortest format across leagues worldwide. His unique selling points are his blistering pace for a leg-spinner, an unreadable googly, and relentless accuracy. This milestone further cements his status as one of the greatest T20 bowlers of all time. Analysts note that his strike rate and economy rate are arguably the best among the top five wicket-takers in the format's history.
The unusual nature of his 700th dismissal will undoubtedly become a cherished trivia footnote in a career filled with spectacular highlights. More importantly, his performance underscored his value as a match-winner. His figures of 2/24 in four overs applied a stranglehold on the UAE innings during the middle phase, directly contributing to the manageable target. In a format often dominated by batters, Rashid remains a bowler who captains build their entire strategy around.
The win places Afghanistan in a strong position to advance from the Asia Cup Qualifier, keeping their faint hopes of reaching the main World Cup event alive. For Rashid Khan, the 700th wicket is another landmark in a young career already overflowing with them. Yet, as his reaction showed, the team's success always comes first. As Afghanistan cricket continues its remarkable rise on the world stage, the wizardry of their star spinner remains its most potent and celebrated force.