New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee becomes second-highest wicket-taker in men’s T20I

New Zealand fast bowler and stand-in captain Tim Southee became the second highest wicket-taker in men’s Twenty20 internationals on Thursday. Southee (99 wickets) achieved the milestone by dismissing Bangladesh batsman Mossadek Hussain in the third and final T20I on Thursday. The New Zealand fast bowler took 96 wickets under his belt before the third T20I and needed three more to leapfrog former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi in achieving the feat.

Southee hit the bullseye and became the second highest wicket-taker in men’s T20Is, scoring three. Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga is still the leading wicket-taker with 107 scallops under the belt.

Interestingly, Malinga is also the only bowler who has taken more than 100 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

Only Afghanistan spinners Rashid Khan (95) and Shakib Al Hasan (92) are among the current players who are close to Southee’s feat.

In the third T20I, Todd Astle and Southee ran through the Bangladesh batting line-up, helping the hosts win the final T20I by 65 runs on Thursday.

Some sensational hits from the New Zealand openers saw them rise to 141/4 after the game was reduced to 10-overs per side. Bangladesh were then stopped for 76 runs, giving the hosts a great series sweep.

Chasing 142 for victory in the dead rubber, Bangladesh never looked comfortable as they lost two wickets in the first over thanks to the brilliant bowling by skipper Southee.

Promoted

Mohammad Naeem played his shots but his tenure at the crease was short.

With Naeem’s wicket in the fourth over, Astle passed through Bangladesh’s middle order and did not let any batsman score in double digits as he finished with four wickets.