Rashid Khan Takes 700 T20 Wickets as Afghanistan Wins

Afghanistan beat the UAE in a T20 World Cup match. Captain Rashid Khan reached a big record, taking his 700th T20 wicket. This win helps Afghanistan's chances in the tournament.
By Newsroom | Cricket, Afghanistan |

The stakes are high for Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Following early defeats, a win against the United Arab Emirates was crucial to keep their hopes of advancing alive. The match also marked a significant personal milestone for Afghanistan's captain, Rashid Khan, as he pursued a historic number of wickets.

Context of the Match and Milestone

Afghanistan secured a five-wicket win against the UAE in their T20 World Cup match on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This victory earned Afghanistan their first points in Group D. The win, however, also means Afghanistan must defeat New Zealand in their final game and improve their net run-rate to progress.

Rashid takes unusual 700th wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE - 1

For Rashid Khan, the match was historic as he reached 700 T20 wickets, becoming the first player to achieve this figure. He had started the game with 699 wickets.

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| Actor | Role | Significance ||—-|—-|—-|| Afghanistan | Team | Secured a crucial victory, gaining first points in Group D. || UAE | Team | Faced defeat, with one of their batters being Rashid Khan's 700th wicket. || Rashid Khan | Afghanistan Captain | Achieved the milestone of 700 T20 wickets; his team's leading bowler. || Muhammad Arfan | UAE Batter | Was dismissed hit-wicket by Rashid Khan, becoming his 700th T20 victim. || Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan All-rounder | Played a key role with bat and ball, scoring an unbeaten 40 and taking wickets. |

Rashid takes unusual 700th wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE - 2

The Landmark Wicket

Rashid Khan achieved his 700th wicket in the 16th over of the UAE innings. The dismissal was unusual: UAE batter Muhammad Arfan attempted a reverse sweep but clipped his own stumps with his bat. This "hit wicket" dismissal, as it is known in cricket, was the way Rashid Khan reached the historic milestone.

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The 700th wicket was taken through a 'hit-wicket' dismissal of UAE batter Muhammad Arfan.

Rashid takes unusual 700th wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE - 3

Match Progression and Key Performances

Afghanistan, after winning the toss and electing to bowl, restricted the UAE to 160 runs in their 20 overs. Despite UAE batter Muhammad Arfan taking 2 wickets for 30 runs with the ball to slow Afghanistan's chase, Azmatullah Omarzai proved decisive. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 40 runs from 21 balls, guiding Afghanistan to victory with four balls to spare.

Rashid Khan's Dominance in T20 Cricket

Rashid Khan's 700 wickets span both international and franchise T20 cricket. He is also the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 191 wickets for Afghanistan alone. This achievement places him significantly ahead of other active bowlers; for instance, Sunil Narine is in third place globally with 613 wickets, and Dwayne Bravo is second.

Rashid takes unusual 700th wicket as Afghanistan beat UAE - 4

Rashid Khan is the sole player to have reached 700 T20 wickets, and is also the top wicket-taker in T20 internationals.

The Unprecedented Nature of the Achievement

The milestone of 700 T20 wickets is unique. While Dwayne Bravo was the first to reach markers like 300, 400, 500, and 600 wickets, Rashid Khan is the first to cross the 700 mark. His consistent performance across various T20 leagues and international matches has solidified his position as a premier bowler in the format.

Afghanistan's Tournament Situation

This win is vital for Afghanistan, who had suffered two initial defeats in the tournament. To advance to the Super 8 stage, they need to win their final match against New Zealand and secure a superior net run-rate compared to New Zealand and the UAE. The UAE, with two points, also needs to win their final game against South Africa and achieve a better net run-rate.

Historical Context of Wicket-Taking Records

Rashid Khan's consistent wicket-taking has been a long-term trend. Previously, on September 1, 2025, he became the leading wicket-taker in men's T20 internationals, overtaking Tim Southee with his 165th T20I wicket during a match against the UAE in Sharjah.

Expert Insights

The achievement of 700 T20 wickets is widely seen as a testament to Rashid Khan's skill and longevity in the shortest format of the game. His ability to perform under pressure and consistently take wickets across different conditions and teams has set him apart.

Conclusion and Future Implications

Rashid Khan's 700th T20 wicket marks a historic moment in cricket. The unusual nature of the dismissal adds a memorable footnote to an already significant achievement. For Afghanistan, this win provides a much-needed boost and keeps their World Cup campaign alive, though they face a challenging path to qualification. The team's performance against top-tier nations remains a key area for their development, as noted by Rashid Khan himself.

Key Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Rashid Khan?
Rashid Khan is the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team. He is a famous bowler in T20 cricket.
Q: What record did Rashid Khan break?
He became the first player in the world to take 700 wickets in T20 cricket matches.
Q: How did Afghanistan win against UAE?
Afghanistan won by five wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai scored 40 runs and helped the team reach the target.
Q: What does this win mean for Afghanistan?
This win gives Afghanistan important points in the T20 World Cup. They still need to win their next game to try and move forward in the tournament.
Q: How did Rashid Khan take his 700th wicket?
The UAE batter, Muhammad Arfan, hit his own stumps with his bat while trying to play a shot. This is called a 'hit wicket'.