With his three-wicket haul in the third T20I against Bangladesh on Thursday, Tim Southee became the second-highest wicket-taker in men’s T20I cricket, with 99 wickets.
Tim Southee, the New Zealand pace spearhead and stand-in skipper, became the second-highest wicket-taker in men’s Twenty20 Internationals on Thursday. On Thursday, Southee (99 wickets) crossed the landmark by dismissing Bangladesh batsman Mosaddek Hossain in the third and final T20I. Before the third T20I, the New Zealand pacer had 96 wickets under his belt, and he required three more to pass former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.
Southee reached the target with three wickets to become the second-highest wicket-taker in men’s T20I cricket. With 107 wickets under his name, Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga remains the top wicket-taker.
Malinga is also the first bowler in the shortest version of the game to have taken more than 100 wickets.
Just Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan (95) and Shakib Al Hasan (92) are currently in contention to equal Southee’s achievement.
Todd Astle and Tim Southee ripped through Bangladesh’s batting line-up in the third T20I, helping the hosts secure the final T20I by 65 runs on Thursday.
After the game was reduced to 10-overs-per-side, the New Zealand openers struck some spectacular shots to take them to 141/4. Bangladesh was then bowled out for 76 runs, giving the hosts a clean sweep of the series.
Bangladesh never looked relaxed chasing 142 for a victory in the dead rubber, losing two wickets in the first over due to Southee’s brilliant bowling.
Mohammad Naim took his shots, but his time in the crease was brief.
With the wicket of Naim in the fourth over, Astle tore through Bangladesh’s middle order, allowing no batsman to cross double digits as he finished with four wickets.