New Delhi: Sunil Narine created history during the ILT20 clash between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Sharjah Warriors at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 3. Narine, who was leading the Knight Riders in Jason Holder’s absence, became only the third bowler to take 600 wickets in the shortest format.
After the match, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders presented Narine with a special jersey featuring the number 600 to celebrate his unprecedented milestone. The 37-year-old completed the feat by taking the wicket of Tom Abell. The milestone is a testament to Narine’s status as one of the greatest T20 bowlers.
Over the years, the West Indian spinner has represented many franchises around the world, including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR), Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR).
“The Knight Riders family stands immensely proud of Narine’s extraordinary achievement, recognising that this record may well stand the test of time as one of cricket’s most enduring milestones,” the franchise said in a press release on Thursday.
Narine joins elite list in T20 cricket
With this milestone, Narine became only the third bowler after Rashid Khan and Dwayne Bravo, to take 600 wickets. Rashid tops the list with 681 wickets, while former West Indies all-rounder Bravo is in second spot with 631 wickets. Narine took the most number of matches to reach the landmark.
Narine said after the match that he was trying to take 600 wickets in the CPL and forgot about the milestone during the match. “I forgot; it’s only after the game that someone reminded me, so it’s good to reach it. I generally practice a lot, but I think it’s all about sticking to what you practice. I think the harder you work in practice, it makes it a little easier in the game,” Narine said.
Most wickets in T20 cricket
681 – Rashid Khan (495 innings)
631 – Dwayne Bravo (546 innings)
600 – Sunil Narine (558 innings)
570 – Imran Tahir (429 innings)
504 – Shakib Al Hasan (453 innings)