Stats: Afghanistan's Rashid Khan picks up the fastest five-wicket haul of all time

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan etched his name into the record books by picking up the fastest five-wicket haul of all-time in international cricket. In a stellar spell encompassing just 12 balls, the 18-year-old leg-spinner claimed match figures of 5/3 to demolish Ireland in the second T20I at Greater Noida.

The leg-spinner’s virtuoso performance extended Afghanistan’s record streak of 10 victories in the shortest format of the game.

Upon winning the toss, the Afghans decided to bat first and compiled a formidable total of 184/8. Opener Najeeb Tarakai slammed a 58-ball 90 to set the foundation in their adopted home base. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi added the finishing touches to the innings with a belligerent 34 off 15 deliveries.

Ireland began strongly in their reply with Paul Stirling and skipper William Porterfield contributing a rapid 53-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the signs became ominous when the opening batsman was castled by medium-pacer Karim Janat.

Out of nowhere, a thunderstorm took shape and slashed through the city. The facilities at the venue were quite modest. Only the all-important 22 yards, as well as the bowlers’ run-ups, could be protected from the downpour.

Despite the vast majority of the lush outfield taking on the brunt of nature’s fury, the ground-staff produced a minor miracle by ensuring a restart. Ireland’s target was revised to 111 runs from just 11 overs. Only 46 runs were further required from 29 deliveries with eight wickets in hand. Afghanistan needed an unforeseen spell to even make a match out of it.

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However, the rain had provided something for Rashid to work with. Utilising the touch of moisture on the surface, the teenager proceeded to wreck Ireland’s batting lineup. In 12 balls of utter mayhem, he turned the game on its head. Kevin O'Brien and Gary Wilson played as if the leg-spinner was sending down hand grenades instead of googlies.

With the other bowlers keeping the pressure on, Rashid preyed on the hapless Irish batsmen and induced an array of almighty heaves. Enticed by the flight and loop, the batsmen could not resist.

Eventually, he finished with a five-for to prolong Afghanistan’s record run to 10 straight T20I wins. In fact, their win-loss record of 2.0 is comfortably the best in the format. Admittedly, they play a lot more games against weaker teams. Nevertheless, their achievement is certainly commendable.

As for Rashid, the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) awaits. In the auction, he was procured by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping INR 4 Crores. This performance reiterates why the franchise splurged out the big money for the promising wrist-spinner.

Here’s a list featuring the fastest five-wicket hauls of all-time in international cricket. Pakistan’s yorker specialist Umar Gul hogs the second and third spots. Not surprisingly, all entries barring one are from T20Is. The sole exception came in a 1947 Test match when left-arm seamer Australia’s Ernie Toshack picked up five wickets from two-and-a-half eight-ball overs.

*All-Time fastest hauls of five or more wickets

Bowler	Team	Overs	Wickets	Runs	Economy Rate	Format	Opposition	Venue	Year
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	2.0	5	3	1.50	T20I	Ireland	Greater Noida	2017
Umar Gul	Pakistan	2.2	5	6	2.57	T20I	South Africa	Centurion	2013
Umar Gul	Pakistan	3.0	5	6	2.00	T20I	New Zealand	The Oval	2009
Ernie Toshack	Australia	2.3 (8-ball Overs)	5	2	0.63	Test	India	Brisbane	1947
Rangana Herath	Sri Lanka	3.3	5	3	0.85	T20I	New Zealand	Chittagong	2014
Darren Sammy	West Indies	3.5	5	26	6.78	T20I	Zimbabwe	Port of Spain	2010
Ryan McLaren	South Africa	3.5	5	19	4.95	T20I	West Indies	North Sound	2010
Imran Tahir	South Africa	3.5	5	24	6.26	T20I	New Zealand	Auckland	2017

(*Note: The list covers only international cricket and all statistics are accurate as of 10^th March 2017)