In a calendar year, Tabraiz Shamsi sets a new T20I Wickets Record

In South Africa’s third game of the Current T20 World Cup, against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Saturday, left-arm leg spinner Tabraiz Shamsi set the record for most wickets in a calendar year in T20Is. Shamsi has eclipsed Uganda’s Dinesh Nakrani (2021) and Australia’s Andrew Tye (2018), both of whom have taken 31 wickets in a calendar year. In 2021, the leg-spinner has 32 wickets to his name and is ranked as the best T20I bowler in the globe.

Shamsi and Wanindu Hasaranga are the only bowlers on the list of most wickets in T20Is in 2021 who are also playing in the T20 World Cup 2021 and have more than 30 wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka took 31 wickets this year, while Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh took 26 wickets in 2021.

Shamsi took three wickets against Sri Lanka, conceding only 17 runs in four overs, allowing South Africa to take control of the game early on. In the middle overs, the 31-year-old dismissed Banuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Wanindu Hasanranga. With their performances in this year’s tournament, the trio has proven efficient for the 2014 champions.

Sri Lanka got swept out for 142 runs with brilliant bowling spells from Shamsi, Dwaine Pretorius, and Anrich Nortje. Pathum Nissanka top-scored for Sri Lanka with his 72-run innings with the help of six fours and three sixes.

Shamsi has played 45 T20Is for South Africa since making his debut in 2017 and taken 53 wickets, with his best statistics of 4/25 coming against Pakistan earlier this year.