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Shaheen Afridi and Bilal Khan (Source-Various)
Veteran Oman fast bowler Bilal Khan became the best pace bowler to reach the 100-wicket mark in ODI cricket. The previous record was held by Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi. Bilal Khan reached the mark in a mere 49 games versus Namibia in the ICC Men’s World Cricket Cup qualifiers that are being played in Scotland.
Shaheen Afridi had reached the feat in a mere 51 matches and arrived during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Before Shaheen Afridi, it was another left-arm pacer who had held the record having reached the mark in just 52 matches.
The 37-year-old Bilal Khan played a pivotal role in Oman’s win over Namibia with figures of 3/50 from his ten overs. Oman won the match by 4 wickets with five balls to spare in a low-scoring encounter.
In terms of overall record, Nepal spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI Wickets. Lamichhane got to the mark in his 42nd game with Rashid Khan getting to the mark in 44 matches. Bilal Khan is the fastest pacer to reach the 100-wicket mark in the 50-over format.
Namibia put up tough fight versus Oman before losing
Aqib Ilyas won the toss and chose to field first and saw his bowlers restrict Namibia to 196/9 from their 50 overs. Michael Van Lingen began well by scoring 40 runs off 55 balls while the other Namibian batters struggled. Lo-Handre Louwrens was out for 4 while Bilal Khan dismissed Jan Frylinck for 12 and skipper Gerhard Erasmus for 4.
Malan Kruger was the best batter with 73 runs from 90 balls in 6 fours. JJ Smit chipped in with 41 runs from 75 balls and 70 runs for the 5th wicket with Kruger. JP Koetze became the 100th wicket for Bilal Khan to put him in the history books.
Chasing 197 runs to win Oman lost the wicket of Kashyap Prajapati early for a duck. Skipper Aqib Ilyas steadied the ship with 68 runs from 129 balls with 5 fours and a six. Namibia tried to stage a fight back but Khalid Kail’s 43 and an unbeaten 26 by Shoaib Khan ensured a close win for Oman.