ENG vs PAK: Shaheen Afridi creates T20 World Cup Record with Three Wickets, overtakes South Africa Star

In a breathtaking display of pace and precision, recalled Pakistan spearhead Shaheen Afridi dismantled England's top order with a devastating powerplay spell, leaving the two-time Champions reeling in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

England were rocked early by Shaheen Afridi, who quickly dismantled the English top-order, picking up three wickets in the powerplay.

ENG vs PAK Shaheen Afridi creates T20 World Cup Record with Three Wickets overtakes South Africa Star

The real fireworks erupted when Afridi, dropped for recent games after an expensive spell, returned with vengeance. Opening the attack, the left-armer struck on the very first ball, inducing Phil Salt to edge behind to Usman Khan for a golden duck. Jos Buttler followed for just 2, undone by a thin under-edge to the keeper. Jacob Bethell became the third victim for 8, holing out to Farhan at deep backward square off a sharp back-of-a-length delivery.

Shaheen Afridi creates New T20 World Cup Record

With three wickets in the powerplay, Shaheen Afridi has now become the highest wickettaker in the powerplay in T20 World Cups. The Pakistan pacer now has 18 powerplay wickets to his name, as he went past South Africa's Kagiso Rabada to claim the top spot

Most wickets in Powerplays in T20 WC

Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) - 18
Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) - 16
Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) - 15

Pakistan, having won the toss and elected to bat, set a challenging target of 164/9. The innings was built around opener Sahibzada Farhan's fighting 63 off 45 balls, which included a flurry of boundaries and a record 13 sixes across the tournament for a Pakistani batter.

Farhan forged vital partnerships - 46 with Babar Azam (25) and 49 with Fakhar Zaman (25) - to steady the ship after early jolts to Saim Ayub (7) and skipper Salman Agha (5). However, a late collapse saw Pakistan lose six wickets for 52 runs in the final five overs, with Shadab Khan providing a brief cameo before the innings folded.