The veteran pace bowler from New Zealand Tim Southee became the first bowler in T20I format to grab 150 wickets. He achieved this feat during the first match against Pakistan played at Eden Park, Auckland on 12th January 2024.
Pakistan’s newly appointed T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and decided to field first. It was a brilliant batting performance by the New Zealand team as Finn Allen provided a flying start putting pressure on Pakistan’s bowling. Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson smashed half-centuries while Mark Chapman hit a cameo to help New Zealand post 226 for 8 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and debutant Abbas Afridi took 3 wickets each while Haris Rauf grabbed 2 wickets. The experienced veteran New Zealand bowler Tim Southee showed his experience getting rid of Mohammed Rizwan with a good catch by Devon Conway. He was bought into the attack and did the damage dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed to break the partnership.
Tim Southee then got the wickets of Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf to bowl out Pakistan for 180 in 18 overs. The experienced Southee ended with figures of 4 for 25 in 4 overs.
Tim Southee becomes first bowler to grab 150 wickets in T20I format
Tim Southee became the first bowler to grab 150 wickets in the shortest format. He made his T20I debut for New Zealand against England on 8th February 2008. Since his debut, Southee took a total of 151 wickets so far from 117 matches (114 innings) with 2 five-wicket haul including his best figure of 5 for 18 against Pakistan at Eden Park, Auckland on 26th December 2010. Despite going for runs, Southee has been the backbone of New Zealand T20I bowling going at an economy of 8.10 runs per over.
For his match-winning spell of 5 for 18 in 4 overs, Tim Southee was named the player of the match award. Shakib AL Hasan is second on the list with 140 wickets from 117 matches (115 innings) at an economy of 6.79 runs per over. Rashid Khan has grabbed 130 wickets from 82 matches but missed the T20I series against India due to an injury.
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