On Wednesday (18th September), Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman became the fastest pacer to complete 50 T20I wickets after managing better record than the South African pacer Dale Steyn.
It was the fourth game of the T20I tri-series between the hosts Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Chattogram. After Zimbabwe decided to field first, Bangladesh scored 175/7 in 20 overs. Mahmudullah played the most crucial knock in that innings as he scored 62 runs off 41 balls (only four, and 5 sixes).
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In reply, Zimbabwe lost their top wickets very quickly and managed to score 136 runs (20 overs) before getting all out. Bangladesh won that match by 39 runs and booked their place for the final of this tri-series.
Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Shafiul Islam (3/36) took three wickets while Mustafizur Rahman (2/38) and the debutant Aminul Islam (2/18) picked up two wickets each.
The 24-year-old left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman took both wickets in the final over of the innings. At first, he dismissed Kyle Jarvis (27 runs), and a ball later, Mustafizur bowled Ainsley Ndlovu (2 runs).
The achievements of Mustafizur Rahman
After dismissing Jarvis, Mustafizur completed his 50 T20I wickets. The left-arm pacer became the second Bangladesh player, after Shakib Al Hasan (91 wickets), to pick up 50 T20I wickets.
Meanwhile, Mustafizur became the fastest pacer to complete 50 T20I wickets as he achieved this feat in 33 T20Is. South African fast bowler Dale Steyn was the previous record-holder as he achieved this feat in 35 T20Is.
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However, Mustafizur became the fourth-fastest overall bowler to complete 50 T20I wickets. Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Ajantha Mendis is holding this record as he achieved this feat in 26 T20Is. Meanwhile, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan are in the next position as both completed this feat in 31 T20Is.
Top five fastest bowlers to complete 50 T20I wickets
| Player (Team) | Bowling style | No. of matches to complete 50 T20I wickets |
| Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | Right-arm offbreak | 26 |
| Imran Tahir (South Africa) | Legbreak googly | 31 |
| Rashid Khan (Afghanistan/ICC World XI) | Legbreak googly | 31 |
| Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) | Left-arm fast-medium | 33 |
| Dale Steyn (South Africa) | Right-arm fast | 35 |
At the end of that match, Mustafizur Rahman has taken 51 wickets in 33 T20I matches.