MUSCAT: Nearly three months after becoming the fastest pacer from an Associate nation to reach 100 T20I wickets, Oman’s pace spearhead, Bilal Khan, has achieved another remarkable career milestone. This time, he has set a world record by becoming the fastest pacer to reach 100 One-Day International (ODI) wickets.
Bilal surpassed the previous record set by Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi by claiming his 100th wicket against Namibia during an ICC World Cricket League 2 game in Dundee, Scotland on July 24.
He reached this milestone in just 49 ODIs, dismissing Namibia’s Jan Frylinck to achieve the feat. Bilal's efforts bettered Afridi's 100-wicket haul in 51 ODIs, and also surpassed Australia’s Mitchell Starc (52 ODIs) and New Zealand’s Shane Bond (54 ODIs).
Overall, Bilal is the third fastest to 100 ODI wickets. The overall record is held by Nepal's leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who achieved the feat in just 42 ODIs, followed by Afghanistan's leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who took 100 ODI wickets in 44 games.
Speaking from Dundee after achieving the milestone, Bilal said: “First of all, I would like to thank the Almighty for all his blessings that made me achieve this mark. I would like to thank my coach Duleep Mendis, who has trusted me over the years, my bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake, OC board chairman Pankaj Khimji, OC treasurer Alkesh Joshi, and Mazhar Saleem Khan.”
The 37-year-old Bilal also praised the efforts of team physio Sean Novak and assistant coach Evert Laubscher for helping him stay fit and thanked his teammates for their support in achieving the record.
Born in Peshawar, Bilal mentioned that his elder brother, who played domestic cricket in their hometown, has been a source of inspiration and has played an influential role in his cricketing career.
“I always wish that I am remembered as a bowler who has represented Oman at the best level. Breaking these records as an Oman bowler has been a proud moment for me. Earlier this year, I became the first Associate bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets and third overall. Now, becoming the first pacer to reach 100 ODI wickets as an Oman bowler is very satisfying. There can’t be a bigger joy for me than putting Oman in the spotlight with two world-class achievements in a span of three months,” he said.
Bilal also thanked former captain Zeeshan Maqsood and current team skipper Aqib Ilyas for their support.
He especially thanked his mother for her backing and blessings, saying, “Without her blessings, I wouldn’t be here,” and added that his wife has been a pillar of support. “My family has stood beside me through good and bad times, and I owe it all to them.”
On the latest record, Bilal recounted: “I knew going into the match that I needed two more wickets for the record. I had Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus dismissed for my 99th and then trapped Jan Frylinck leg before for my 100th wicket. It was definitely a special moment.”
Besides Bilal’s 100th ODI wicket, Mendis’ men also secured their first win in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 by defeating Namibia by four wickets, earning their first full two points. Bilal ended the match with figures of 3/50.
In the four matches played, Oman has lost two - one each to Scotland and Namibia -while the opening match of the tri-series against Scotland was washed out.
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