Mohammad Shami Joins the 200-Wicket Club in Style

Indian pace spearhead Mohammad Shami has reached a significant milestone in his ODI career, claiming his 200th wicket in the format.¹ He achieved this feat in his 104th ODI, during a crucial match against Bangladesh in Dubai. Heading into the game, Shami needed just three wickets to reach the double century mark, and he delivered in emphatic fashion, taking a five-wicket haul for 53 runs in his 10 overs. Jaker Ali became Shami’s 200th victim in ODIs.

Shami’s achievement is not just about the number of wickets, but the speed at which he has attained them. He now holds the record for the fastest bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled, achieving the milestone in just 5126 deliveries.² This surpasses the previous record held by Mitchell Starc, who took 5240 balls.

While Starc reached the milestone in fewer matches (102), Shami’s efficiency in terms of balls bowled underscores his consistent threat and wicket-taking ability. He is now joint second-fastest in terms of matches played, alongside Saqlain Mushtaq, both having taken 104 matches to reach the 200-wicket mark.³ Shami’s performance against Bangladesh not only helped him reach this landmark but also showcased his continued prowess as one of the world’s leading fast bowlers.