Adil Rashid Equals Saeed Ajmal, Eyes Shahid Afridi’s Elite T20 World Cup Record Next

Adil Rashid equals Saeed Ajmal's T20 World Cup wickets' tally. [Source - AFP Photos]

England and Scotland faced off in a crucial Group C encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens on Saturday afternoon, with qualification stakes hanging in the balance. England entered the contest desperate for a turnaround after their setback against West Indies in Mumbai.

On a surface where stroke-making can quickly become dominant, England, after electing to bowl first, showed discipline with the ball to restrict Scotland to 152 all out. It was a collective effort, but the control in the middle-overs proved decisive in preventing Scotland from pushing towards a bigger total.

While every England bowler contributed, it was Adil Rashid’s spell that shifted the momentum. His ability to break partnerships and slow the scoring rate brought England firmly back into the contest, and in the process, etched his name deeper into the T20 World Cup record books.

Adil Rashid equals Saeed Ajmal’s 36-wicket T20 World Cup record

When Adil Rashid castled Scotland’s Mark Watt with the final delivery of his four-over spell, he claimed his 36th T20 World Cup wicket, equalling Saeed Ajmal in the all-time list for spinners. The milestone places England's T20I highest wicket-taker fourth among the leading wicket-taking spinners in tournament history.

Most wickets by Spinners in T20 World Cup

The elite chart is topped by Shakib Al Hasan with 50 wickets, followed by Wanindu Hasaranga, Rashid Khan and Adam Zampa on 40 each, while Shahid Afridi sits on 39. With just three wickets separating him from the Pakistan great, England’s crafty leg-spinner will surely be eyeing Afridi’s tally next as he continues his climb up the all-time T20 World Cup charts.

Adil Rashid registers his third best T20 World Cup bowling figures in the clash against Scotland

England began brightly with the ball, but Scotland fought back through skipper Richie Berrington, who counterattacked aggressively against the spinners and turned the momentum. Rashid initially felt the pressure as Berrington used his feet well, but the leg-spinner responded in style to swing the tide.

Best bowling figures of Adil Rashid in T20 World Cup

Just when England were getting frustrated with Berrington’s run-scoring, Rashid trapped him lbw to halt Scotland’s charge and restore England’s control in the middle overs. He added two more wickets to finish with 3 for 36 from his four overs, his third-best bowling figures in T20 World Cup history, once again proving his big-match pedigree.

Adil Rashid’s white-ball legacy grows stronger with every big moment

For over a decade, Adil Rashid has been the heartbeat of England’s white-ball bowling attack. Whenever pressure mounts, it is the leg-spinner who delivers the breakthrough, often removing the opposition’s most dangerous batter. Against Scotland, it was another reminder of how heavily England rely on his control and composure.

Already England’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, Rashid is now closing in on the top five all-time wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history. With every crucial spell, his legacy only strengthens, not just as a dependable match-winner, but as one of the finest white-ball spinners ever played the game.