Sports Bulletin of February 20: From Mohd Shami Becoming Fastest Indian In 200 ODI Wickets Club To Towhid Hridoy Slamming Maiden Ton On Champions Trophy Debut

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The cricket world witnessed a whirlwind of dramatic moments and milestones on Thursday (February 20), from Mohammed Shami scripting history as the fastest Indian to 200 ODI wickets to Towhid Hridoy's gritty maiden century in the Champions Trophy 2025 encounter between India and Bangladesh.

The cricketing action didn't stop there, with heart-stopping performances, surprise team changes, and unfortunate records making headlines. Beyond cricket, Lionel Messi dazzled fans yet again with a game-winning goal for Inter Miami in freezing conditions, showcasing why he remains a global icon. Here's a look at the top sports stories making waves across the globe.

1. Mohammed Shami Becomes Fastest Indian to 200 ODI Wickets

India's ace pacer Mohammed Shami etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest Indian bowler to claim 200 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in his 104th match. The Bengal speedster, who recently returned to international cricket in a home series against England, became the third-fastest bowler globally to reach the landmark.

Shami accomplished this feat in India's Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. Making a grand comeback after missing international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Shami also secured a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/53 from 10 overs. He is now India's leading wicket-taker in ICC tournaments, with 60 wickets and counting.

2. Towhid Hridoy's Maiden Ton Rescues Bangladesh in Gritty Stand with Jaker Ali

Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy, with support from Jaker Ali, displayed resilience against a formidable Indian bowling attack in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Battling cramps and benefitting from dropped chances, Hridoy scored his maiden ODI century off 114 balls, becoming the ninth player to score a ton on his Champions Trophy debut and the second Bangladeshi to achieve this after Tamim Iqbal in 2017.

Hridoy and Ali came together with Bangladesh reeling at 35/5, adding 154 runs for the sixth wicket. Jaker scored a gritty 68 before falling to Mohammed Shami, while Hridoy's heroics helped Bangladesh post 228 in 49.4 overs.

3. Rohit Sharma Drops Sitter, Denies Axar Patel a Hattrick

India captain Rohit Sharma faced a tough moment in the Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Bangladesh when he dropped a straightforward catch at first slip, denying Axar Patel a hattrick. Axar had struck twice in consecutive deliveries during the ninth over, sending Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim back to the pavilion.

However, Jaker Ali edged the hattrick ball straight to Rohit, who fumbled the chance. The miss frustrated Rohit, who visibly expressed his disappointment on the field, as commentators urged him to move on. Axar finished with two wickets, while the miss allowed Bangladesh to stabilize briefly.

4. Imam-ul-Haq Replaces Injured Fakhar Zaman Ahead of India-Pakistan Showdown

Pakistan suffered a setback as opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a knee injury. Imam-ul-Haq was named as his replacement for the much-anticipated clash against India. The ICC approved the change ahead of Sunday's match at the Dubai International Stadium. Imam, who has 72 ODIs under his belt, brings experience to the squad as Pakistan looks to bounce back after their opening loss to New Zealand.

5. IND vs BAN Champions Trophy Match Fails to Draw Crowds, Empty Stands in Dubai

Despite being a marquee tournament, the Champions Trophy 2025 struggled to attract fans, with empty stands visible during India's Group A clash against Bangladesh in Dubai. This comes after similar criticism during the opening game between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi. Although India's game was announced as sold out, the lack of spectators raises questions about the declining interest in ODI cricket.

6. India Equal Unwanted Record of Losing 11 Consecutive Tosses

India matched an unwanted record in their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh by losing their 11th consecutive coin toss in ODIs. This streak, which began during the 2023 World Cup final, equals the record set by the Netherlands between 2011 and 2013. Losing the toss has added an extra challenge for the Indian team in crucial matches.

7. Khushdil Shah Surprised by His Own Inclusion in Pakistan Squad

Pakistan all-rounder Khushdil Shah expressed surprise at being included in the Champions Trophy squad despite his inconsistent performances. After scoring a valiant 69 off 49 balls in Pakistan's loss to New Zealand, Khushdil admitted, "I myself didn't know how I got into the team." Having been out of favor with selectors for nearly two years, his inclusion sparked discussions among fans and experts.

8. KKR's Ramandeep Singh Aims to Shine as a Bowler in IPL 2025

Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Ramandeep Singh is ready to take on a new role in the upcoming IPL season. After a stellar performance with the bat in IPL 2024, Ramandeep now aims to contribute as a bowler. Following a promising Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, he is focused on delivering impactful overs and winning games for his team.

9. Babar Azam Criticised for Slow Fifty in Pakistan's Loss to New Zealand

Pakistan star batter Babar Azam faced criticism for his slow-paced fifty in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand in Karachi. Scoring 64 off 90 balls, Babar's cautious approach contributed to Pakistan's poor powerplay performance, managing only 22 runs for two wickets in the first 10 overs. Fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with many highlighting the lack of intent during the chase.

10. Lionel Messi Scores in Freezing Conditions to Lead Inter Miami to Victory

Lionel Messi once again showcased his brilliance, scoring the winning goal in Inter Miami's 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. In freezing conditions, with temperatures as low as -11°F (-24°C wind chill), Messi collected a pass from Sergio Busquets, evaded a defender, and slotted it past the keeper in the 56th minute. Despite Sporting KC's late push, Miami held on to their slender lead.