Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan made history by becoming the first spinner in the world to take three six-wicket hauls in ODIs during the second ODI against Ireland.
The 27-year-old leg-spinner bowled 7.4 overs in the second ODI of the ongoing five-match series against Ireland at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland. He finished with excellent figures of 6/34.
Rashid got his first wicket in the second half of the match when he dismissed Ireland opener Andrew Balbirnie (36) with the first ball of the 15th over. He then went on to remove Harry Tector (5), Benjamin Calitz (27), Curtis Campher (23), Jai Moondra (3) and Byron McDonough (0).
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Rashid made his ODI debut on October 15, 2015, against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He had already taken six wickets in an ODI against Ireland on March 17, 2017, when he finished with 6/43 from 9.3 overs at Greater Noida.
Later that year, Rashid produced another outstanding performance against the West Indies in Gros Islet. He took 7/18 in 8.4 overs on June 9, 2017.
Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis holds the world record for the most six-wicket hauls in ODIs. During his 14-year ODI career from 1989 to 2003, Waqar played 262 matches and took five six-wicket hauls.
Six other spinners, Wanindu Hasaranga, Imran Tahir, Shahid Afridi, Akila Dananjaya, Sandeep Lamichhane and Ajantha Mendis, have taken two six-wicket hauls each in ODIs.
However, Rashid is now the first and only spinner to take at least six wickets in an ODI on three different occasions.
The Afghanistan spinner is also only the second bowler after Waqar Younis to take multiple six-wicket hauls against the same team in ODIs.
Most six-wicket hauls in ODIs
| LAYER | COUNTRY | ROLE | MATCHES | WICKETS | BEST FIGURES | 6-WICKET HAULS |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | Fast bowler | 262 | 416 | 7/36 | 5 |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Spinner | 121 | 220 | 7/18 | 3 |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | Fast bowler | 322 | 400 | 8/19 | 2 |
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | Fast bowler | 114 | 211 | 7/34 | 2 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | Spinner | 71 | 113 | 7/19 | 2 |
| Imran Tahir | South Africa | Spinner | 107 | 173 | 7/45 | 2 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | Spinner | 398 | 395 | 7/12 | 2 |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | Fast bowler | 161 | 221 | 7/33 | 2 |
| Shane Bond | New Zealand | Fast bowler | 82 | 147 | 6/19 | 2 |
| Akila Dananjaya | Sri Lanka | Spinner | 42 | 59 | 6/29 | 2 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | Spinner | 77 | 154 | 6/11 | 2 |
| Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | Spinner | 87 | 152 | 6/13 | 2 |
| Ashish Nehra | India | Fast bowler | 120 | 157 | 6/23 | 2 |
| Henry Olonga | Zimbabwe | Fast bowler | 50 | 58 | 6/19 | 2 |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | Fast bowler | 130 | 247 | 6/28 | 2 |
| Chris Woakes | England | Fast bowler | 122 | 173 | 6/45 | 2 |
Rashid has played 121 ODIs so far, and both of his previous six-wicket hauls came against Ireland. Waqar Younis, during his career, also took two six-wicket hauls against New Zealand.
Afghanistan win by 92 runs
Rashid’s brilliant bowling helped Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI on Friday.
Afghanistan scored 299/8 in their allotted 47 overs before bowling Ireland out for 207 in 33.2 overs.
Apart from Rashid, Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets for Afghanistan, while Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed one wicket after giving away 32 runs in his seven overs.
The third ODI between Ireland and Afghanistan will be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Monday (August 10).