Rashid Khan Creates History During T20 World Cup 2026, Becomes First Cricketer To Achieve This Feat

T20 World Cup 2026: Afghanistan's Rashid Khan became the first cricketer to reach 700 T20 wickets during his team's group-stage match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. In that match, he picked up one wicket while giving away 24 runs over four overs, helping Afghanistan restrict the UAE to 160 runs for 9 wickets in their 20 overs after choosing to bowl first.

The 27-year-old captain of Afghanistan achieved this milestone during the 16th over of the innings by dismissing Muhammad Arfan through a hit-wicket, as Arfan scored no runs off two deliveries before getting out while attempting a reverse sweep against the skilled spinner.

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Rashid Khan is significantly ahead of any other player regarding wickets taken in T20 cricket. Retired West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is in second place with 631 wickets. Among the active players, Sunil Narine is behind Rashid with 613 wickets and is third overall in the list.

Rashid is also the leading wicket-taker in the T20 Internationals with 191 wickets. 

Afghanistan's Chances Weak Despite Win Over UAE

Afghanistan's fate in qualifying for the T20 World Cup Super Eights stage is not in their hands even after beating UAE here on Monday, but captain Rashid Khan said his team wants to make the country proud with its brand of cricket even if it makes an early exit from the tournament.

After Afghanistan's five-wicket win over the UAE, South Africa made it to the Super Eights from Group D with six points from three matches. New Zealand, currently with four points from three matches, can seal the second spot from the group if they beat Canada on Tuesday in Chennai.

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In that scenario, Afghanistan -- currently on two points from three matches -- will exit from the tournament even if they defeat Canada in their last group match on February 19 in Chennai.

"Hoping for the best. Yes, (we) still have a little bit of hope, we can make it to the next stage and we just need to come up with a positive mindset (against Canada)," Rashid said at the post-match presentation.

Inputs from Agency