Rashid Khan Becomes First Bowler to 700 T20 Wickets, Redefining Greatness in the Format

When Rashid Khan dismissed UAE’s Muhammad Arfan during Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup clash in Delhi, he didn’t just claim another wicket — he crossed into uncharted territory. The Afghan legspinner became the first bowler in history to reach 700 wickets in T20 cricket, further cementing his status as the most prolific bowler the format has seen.

Rashid has been the leading wicket-taker in T20s since surpassing Dwayne Bravo’s tally of 631 in early 2025. Now at 700 and counting, he stands alone at the top, having dismissed 432 different batters — another record. His consistency across leagues and continents has been a defining feature of his career. He has taken 406 wickets in Asia alone, including 181 in India, 131 in the UAE and 102 in Australia.

At international level, Rashid has been equally dominant. He leads the T20I wicket charts with 191 wickets and is closing in on the unprecedented 200 mark. Of his 700 wickets, 130 have come in internationals, highlighting his impact on the biggest stage.

Rashid’s match-winning ability is reflected in his 22 four-wicket hauls in T20 cricket, the most by any bowler, including 11 in T20Is. He also holds the record for most hat-tricks in the format with four, achieved across multiple leagues and for Afghanistan.

Perhaps most remarkable is how he gets his wickets. More than half of them — 379 — have come via bowled or lbw, underlining the precision and deception of his legspin. From teenage prodigy to global T20 icon, Rashid Khan’s 700-wicket milestone is not just a number, but a testament to sustained excellence in the shortest format.