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! 🫡
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/ggnxmdG0VK#TeamIndia | #BANvIND | #ChampionsTrophy | @MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/CqLyuQPh3X
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Fire destroys parked school buses in Thiruvananthapuram, sabotage suspected
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A major fire broke out at a school ground near here in the small hours of Monday, destroying three parked school buses, police said here.
The incident occurred at around 2.45 am at the ground of a Higher Secondary School at Thundathil under Kazhakkoottam police station limits.
Three school buses were completely gutted in the fire, while another bus was partially damaged, police said.
Fire and rescue teams rushed to the area and brought the blaze under control after an operation that lasted about 30 minutes.
A tempo traveller was found close to the buses, raising suspicion of foul play, officials said.
However, it is not yet clear who drove the vehicle or how it reached the area where the buses were parked.
The school authorities and locals suspect that the fire may not have been accidental.
Police said they have begun an investigation to find out the exact cause of the fire.
