Key points
- Widens lead over Bravo and Narine
- T20 greatness debate reignited by milestone
- Rashid now leads any greatest-ever shortlist
ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has pushed the “greatest T20 bowler” debate into fresh territory after becoming the first bowler to reach 700 wickets in T20 cricket. The landmark came during Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup match against the UAE in Delhi when Rashid dismissed Muhammad Arfan hit wicket in the 16th over, finishing the game with a low-key celebration as Afghanistan chased qualification for the Super Eights.
Rashid’s feat is significant not only for its scale, but for how far he now sits ahead of the rest. According to ESPNcricinfo, Dwayne Bravo is second with 631 T20 wickets, while Sunil Narine is third with 613. With Rashid on 700, the gap is no longer symbolic — it is historic.
The case for Rashid rests on three pillars: volume, consistency, and adaptability. His wickets have come across international cricket and the world’s leading leagues, and he has achieved the 700 mark while still being in his prime years as a T20 operator. ESPNcricinfo also notes Rashid is the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with the milestone being his 191st T20I wicket for Afghanistan.
Clever death-overs operator
Yet greatness in T20 bowling is not always measured by totals alone — especially in a format shaped by match-ups, conditions and role specialisation. Bravo, for instance, became the archetype of the clever death-overs operator: slower balls, wide yorkers and variations designed for the final four overs when games are won and lost. Narine’s argument is different: he has built a career around control, mystery, and powerplay strangleholds that force batters into mistakes — sometimes without the need for dramatic spells.
Then there is Lasith Malinga, whose name still dominates any conversation about death bowling. While his career numbers do not match Rashid’s mountain of wickets, Malinga’s impact in the format’s formative years was transformational. He became the first bowler to take 100 wickets in men’s T20Is and has been associated with hat-trick feats that underline his reputation as a wicket-taker in bursts. For many fans, Malinga remains the gold standard for defending runs at the end with yorkers under pressure.
So is Rashid now the greatest? The answer depends on the criteria. If the debate prioritises longevity, wicket volume, and all-conditions success, Rashid’s lead is hard to argue against. If it prioritises “peak” impact in the toughest overs, or revolutionising death bowling, Malinga — and even Bravo — still have strong claims.
What is certain is that 700 has changed the conversation. Rashid is no longer merely the best of his generation. By stepping into territory nobody has reached, he has made the debate unavoidable — and the numbers now demand that any “greatest ever” shortlist begins with his name.
