Mohammed Shami becomes fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets
Dubai, Feb 20 (PTI): Star pacer Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler and second quickest overall to reach 200 ODI wickets during the Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh here on Thursday, marking his return to an ICC tournament with an excellent five-for.
Shami grabbed three wickets to reach the milestone in his 104th match and better former India pacer Ajit Agarkar's record of getting to the mark in 133 matches.
He then added two more wickets to his tally to end the day with figures of 5/53, strengthening his position as one of the most successful bowler in ICC tournaments.
With 60 wickets, Shami is now India's leading wicket-taker in the two 50-overs ICC events — the ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy — followed by Zaheer Khan (59), Javagal Srinath (47) and Ravindra Jadeja (43).
Jaker Ali, who made 68 and was involved in a 154-run sixth wicket partnership with Towhid Hridoy (100), was Shami's wicket No 200 in the 50-overs format.
Overall, the 34-year-old fast bowler is the second fastest to the mark behind Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who needed 102 games.
One of India's finest seamers, Shami averages less than 25 in the ODI format and has so far taken six fifers and 10 four-wicket hauls.
Shami is the eighth Indian to complete 200 wickets in ODI cricket.
Out of international cricket for 14 months owing to an ankle injury that needed surgery, Shami has made a remarkable comeback, though the journey was far from easy as he feared his career was over.
However, his unwavering desire to play for the country again kept him going.
Shami suffered the ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, bringing to a halt an incredible run of form that saw him top the wicket-taker's chart in the tournament.
His recovery was further complicated by swelling in his left knee, as he was sidelined from international for more than a year.
With Jasprit Bumrah injured, Shami is leading the Indian pace attack in the Champions Trophy.
2⃣0⃣0⃣ wickets and counting!
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 20, 2025
Mohd. Shami becomes the fastest bowler for India to scalp 200 ODI wickets! 🫡
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Kane scores hat trick and Bayern extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points
Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Other results
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
