LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi became the country’s fastest fast bowler to 150 one-day international wickets on Sunday, reaching the landmark during the tri-series match against England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Shaheen struck early in England’s innings, dismissing opener Tom Banton to claim his 150th ODI wicket in his 80th match in the format. He is now the second-fastest Pakistani bowler overall to the milestone, behind former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who did it in 78 matches, and ahead of pace greats Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, who each needed 91.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first in the fourth match of the tri-series. The hosts made two changes, bringing in Shadab Khan for Faheem Ashraf and handing an ODI debut to Razaullah in place of the injured Naseem Shah.
The fixture doubled as the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Pakistan’s players wore pink jerseys, while England’s players, officials and commentators wore pink ribbons; the stumps were pink and stadium screens and LED boards carried awareness messages.
The board partnered with the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Trust Hospital for the occasion, offering free screenings to fans from October 24 to 26, with proceeds from pink merchandise earmarked for the treatment of patients who cannot afford it.
Pakistan came into the match on the back of an 87-run win over England in Rawalpindi, where they defended 303 to bowl the visitors out for 215, and stood one victory away from a place in the tri-series final.
Pakistan went on to win the match by one wicket, reaching 243 for nine in 47.1 overs after England had posted 241. Shadab Khan anchored the chase with an unbeaten 113, sharing an 89-run last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf after Pakistan had slipped to 154 for nine.
