On February 16, the Afghanistan star bowler Rashid Khan became the first bowler to have 700 wickets in the T20 cricket. The 700th wicket came in the match against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, after he took Muhammad Arfan's wicket in the 16th over.

 

Needless to say, it was a gift to Rashid Khan, care of Muhammad Arfan. The ball from Rashid hit Arfan's pads. But Arfan, clueless, went too deep in his crease and attempted a sweep. Having zero idea of his position, the swing of his bat hit the stumps. With this, the 2026 T20 World Cup got its second hit wicket dismissal after Namibia's Zane Green.

 

Well, coming back to Rashid Khan, he played 518 T20 matches to have 700 wickets. Earlier, Dwayne Bravo became the first bowler to get 600 T20 wickets, in 200.

 

Players with firsts in T20 cricket:

 

Wickets Milestones	Player's Name	Year	Country
100 Wickets	Dirk Nannes	2010	Australia 🇦🇺
200 Wickets	Dirk Nannes	2012	Australia 🇦🇺
300 Wickets	DJ Bravo	2016	West Indies
400 Wickets	DJ Bravo	2017	West Indies
500 Wickets	DJ Bravo	2020	West Indies
600 Wickets	DJ Bravo	2022	West Indies
700 Wickets	Rashid Khan	2026	Afghanistan

 

Read also: Watch: Shadab Khan misfield grants easy four runs to India in 2026 T20 World Cup

 

Afghanistan to chase 161 against UAE

 

Despite a full show against South Africa, the Afghanistan team is yet to win a match in the group stage. To survive as a Super 8 qualifier, they do need a big win today against the UAE.

 

Put in to bat, the United Arab Emirates posted a competitive 160/9 in 20 overs against Afghanistan in the Group D clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Delhi. UAE endured a shaky start, losing captain Muhammad Waseem and wicketkeeper Aryansh Sharma inside the first two overs. However, the innings was rebuilt through a crucial 97-run stand between Alishan Sharafu and Sohaib Khan, which stabilized the middle phase.

 

Sharafu scored a fluent 40 off 31 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, while Sohaib Khan top-scored with 68 off 48 deliveries, laced with six fours and four sixes, anchoring UAE’s innings. UAE crossed 100 in 12.3 overs and looked set for a strong finish before Afghanistan struck back decisively at the death.

 

All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai led the bowling with an outstanding spell of 4/15, triggering a collapse that saw UAE lose four wickets in the last five overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in with two wickets, while Rashid Khan claimed one, including a hit-wicket dismissal. Despite the late damage, UAE’s 160 keeps the contest evenly poised heading into the chase.