Stats: Shaheen Shah Afridi becomes the youngest to take 4-wicket haul in World Cup

Shaheen Shah Afridi had a tough time with the ball in England last month when Pakistan faced the hosts England for a 5-match ODI series. Shaheen conceded 80+ runs in all three matches he bowled during that high-scoring ODI series. Thus, he became the first bowler to concede 80+ in three straight ODI innings. In his World Cup debut game against Australia, Shaheen conceded 70 runs which made him the first player who conceded 70+ runs in four straight ODIs.

The left-arm pacer had a quiet game against South Africa as well conceding 54 runs in his 8 overs and picked up the wicket of David Miller. Shaheen was picked for the following game against New Zealand where he bowled an important spell for his team. The 19-year-old bagged three wickets upfront to put the inform Kiwis team into tatters. He finished with figures of 10-3-28-3 in that game.

Shaheen Shah Afridi continued his good work in the game against Afghanistan on Saturday. At the age of 19 years and 84 days, he became the first teenager to claim a 4-wicket haul in the history of World Cup. He ended up with figures of 4/47 in his ten overs in yet another must-win match. Previously the youngest player to claim a 4-fer in the CWC was John Blain of Scotland at the age of 20 years and 140 days against Bangladesh in the 1999 edition.

James Anderson came close to the feat that too after claiming two 4-fers in the space of one week. He is till date the only bowler to take two 4-fers in the CWC before turning 22. Yuvraj Singh stands 4th in this list and is the youngest spinner to take 4-wicket haul in a World Cup game. He was 21 years and 73 days old when he recorded figures of 4.3-2-6-4 against Namibia. It was also the first time Yuvraj ever bowled in a CWC match.

Overall, this was the 4th time Shaheen Shah Afridi has claimed a 4-wicket haul in the ODI format. He got 4-fers in back to back matches during last year’s ODI series against New Zealand in UAE. Shaheen’s 3rd 4-fer in ODIs came against England also at the Headingley in Leeds. Only Waqar Younis (9), Rashid Khan (8) and Saqlain Mushtaq (5) are the bowlers with four or more ODI 4-fers before turning 20.

Youngest player to take a 4-wicket haul in World Cup: