Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s talismanic wrist spinner, became the first bowler to reach 650 wickets in T20 cricket during the inaugural match of The Hundred 2025.
Rashid accomplished the accomplishment during a one-sided match between the London Spirit and the Oval Invincibles on Tuesday, August 5, at the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Kane Williamson’s London Spirit won the toss and decided to bat first. Jordan Clark and Jason Behrendorff made early gains with the new ball, putting the batting side on 26/3 before Rashid began to work his magic.
The 26-year-old began the onslaught by removing Wayne Madsen on the 43rd delivery of the innings. However, he set a new record when he bowled Liam Dawson plumb in front of the stumps LBW. Rashid also took Ryan Higgins’ wicket, finishing with outstanding figures of 3/11 in 20 balls. He bowled a total of 15 dot balls during his stay.
The Afghanistan leg-spinner became the first player to achieve the milestone, with 651 wickets in 478 T20 innings at an average of 18.54 and four five-wicket hauls to his name.
Rashid Khan has a strike rate of 16.90 and an economy rate of 6.57 in the shortest version of the game.
Rashid’s heroics were backed up by Sam Curran, who claimed three wickets. London Spirit were bowled out for 80 in 94 balls, with Ashton Turner top-scoring with 14 off 21 deliveries.
In response, Will Jacks and Tawanda Muyeye got the Invincibles off to a slow start, adding 34 runs off 32 deliveries. However, Dawson removed both openers after they got off to a good start. Curran contributed a nine-ball 14 before captain Sam Billings and Donovan Ferreira guided them home with six wickets and 31 balls remaining.
London Spirit will return to action on Saturday, August 9, as they take on Welsh Fire in Cardiff. On the other hand, Oval Invincibles will play on the same day against Manchester Originals.
India
