Decoding bowlers with best ODI figures on their birthdays
Afghanistan's star leg-spinner Rashid Khan recently made history by becoming the first player to claim an ODI five-wicket haul on his birthday. The leg-spinner, who is 26 now, achieved this feat during his side's 177-run win in the second ODI against South Africa in Sharjah. Here we look at the bowlers with the best figures on birthdays (ODIs).
5/19- Rashid Khan vs South Africa, Sharjah, 2024
Chasing 312, SA openers added 73 runs for the opening wicket. However, Rashid and his fellow spinner Nangeyalia Kharote bossed the middle overs as the Proteas side was folded for just 134 runs. The former trapped five of SA's top-seven batters, including the likes of Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs. He finished with figures of 5/19 in nine overs.
4/12- Vernon Philander vs Ireland, Belfast, 2007
Rashid surpassed the previous record held by former South African pacer Vernon Philander for the best ODI figures on a birthday. Philander had claimed 4/12 across 5.5 overs against Ireland in Belfast in 2007. He dismissed opener William Porterfield and wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien before sending back the last two batters as Ireland were folded for 131 while chasing the revised 174-run target.
4/44- Stuart Broad vs Australia, Cardiff, 2010
Former England pacer Stuart Broad celebrated his 24th birthday with a match-winning four-wicket haul against Australia in the 2010 Cardiff ODI. His brilliance meant top-order batters Tim Paine and Ricky Ponting were dismissed cheaply. Michael Clarke and Steve Smith were his other two victims as Australia were restricted to 239/7. Broad finished with 4/44 in 10 overs as England won by four wickets.