Getting a wicket in ODI is not easy. It test’s a bowler’s grit, determination, skills, and patience. It takes many overs for a bowler to set up a batter. And this battle occurs again and again, where a batter and bowler try to outthink each other. Hence, every wicket has to be earned by the bowler. Naturally, getting a 5-wicket haul is a big deal. Let us take a peek at the Top 10 ODI Bowling Figures by Afghanistan Bowlers-
1. Rashid Khan (8.4-1-18-7)
In the 1st ODI against West Indies in Gros Islet in 2017, Afghanistan was propelled to a modest 212/6 by Javed Ahmadi’s 102-ball-81. One may think that this was not enough. But Rashid Khan had other plans. The mighty West Indians found him too hot to handle as Rashid got out seven opposing batters, conceding just 18 runs in 8.4 overs. Afghanistan won the match by 63 runs. These are the 4th best bowling figures ever in ODI cricket.
2. Rashid Khan (9.3-0-43-6)
In the 2nd ODI in Greater Noida against Ireland in 2017, Afghanistan batted first and posted 338 thanks to Asghar Afghan’s 101 and Rahmat Shah and Mohammad Shahzad’s fifties. In the 2nd innings, it was all fireworks from Rashid Khan. Everything he touched turned into a wicket. He sent back 6 Irish batters, including Paul Stirling (95), in return for just 43 runs in 9.3 overs to stop Ireland at 304 all out. Afghanistan got over the line by 34 runs.
3. Gulbadin Naib (9.2-0-43-6)
In an ODI match against Ireland at Belfast in 2019, Afghanistan batted first. Mohammad Shahzad hit a century followed by fifties from Rahmat Shah and Najibullah Zadran as Afghanistan posted 305/7. It was followed by skipper Gulbadin Naib running through the Irish batting like a hot knife through butter. Naib registered his best ODI figures of 6/43 in 9.2 overs to bowl out Ireland on 179.
4. Rashid Khan (8.3-1-24-5)
Most of us must have gotten tired of seeing Rashid Khan produce miracles with the ball. Such a genius he is! Against Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 2018, he produced yet another jaw-dropping spell to wash out the middle and lower-order of Zimbabwe batting. He grabbed 5 wickets for 24 runs and also bowled a maiden over. Afghanistan restricted Zimbabwe to 154. Afghanistan batters then got the job done as they won by six wickets.
5. Rahmat Shah (5.3-0-32-5)
Rahmat Shah is a top-order batter. But in an ACC Premier League match against UAE in 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, he showed his capability with the ball. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 302/5. Just then, Rahmat Shah decided to have fun with the ball. He surprised the UAE batters with his leggies and googlies and picked up 5 for 32 in 5.3 overs. He also got dangerous-looking Amjad Ali out when he was on 98. Afghanistan ended up winning the match by 70 runs.
6. Rashid Khan (9-0-41-5)
And here he is again! This time it was the turn of UAE batters to suffer. UAE won the toss and chose to set the target. Rashid Khan completely bamboozled the opposition batters with his quick-arm action as he picked up 5 wickets for 41 runs. Dangerous Shaiman Anwar, too, became Rashid’s victim. UAE was skittled out on 177. Afghanistan batters got the job done, losing 5 wickets and with15.3 overs to spare.
7. Hamid Hassan (10-1-45-5)
Afghanistan clashed with UAE in 2014 in Dubai. Afghanistan won the toss and brought UAE to bat. UAE was on course to set up a 300+ target with partnerships brewing now and then. But Hamid Hassan ensured that UAE was stopped on 258/9. Hassan took 5/45 in 10 overs. Despite bowling his heart out, Hassan couldn’t save his team from defeat. Afghanistan failed to chase the target and lost the match by 30 runs.
8. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (10-0-50-5)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was just 16 years old when he shattered the Zimbabwe batting. Except for their skipper Craig Ervine (54*), none of the Zimbabwean batters could read Mujeeb, as he picked up 5/50 in 10 overs to become the youngest bowler to take a fifer in an ODI. Zimbabwe was restricted to 134. Afghan openers Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah Janat made sure that they didn’t feel any hiccup while chasing, as Afghanistan won the match by 10 wickets.
9. Amir Hamza (7.5-2-17-4)
Against Zimbabwe in 2015 in Sharjah, Afghanistan batted first and were all out for a meager score of 131. In such a situation, anyone would’ve put their money on Zimbabwe to win. But not Amir Hamza! He came down hard on the opposition to take 4/17 in 7.5 overs. Mirwais Ashraf and Mohammad Nabi shared another five wickets as Zimbabwe was all out for an even lower 82. The Afghans won the match by 49 runs.
10. Hamid Hassan (10-2-19-4)
Afghanistan locked horns with Kenya in ICC World Cricket League Championship match in 2013 in Sharjah. Kenyans panicked before the express pace of Hamid Hassan, who grabbed 4 wickets for just 19 runs. He also bowled 2 maidens to restrict Kenya to 89. Afghanistan sailed through the target with 8 wickets to spare.
