South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada achieved a significant career milestone on Monday, surpassing Pakistan’s Waqar Younis to become the fastest pacer to reach 300 Test wickets. Rabada accomplished this feat on the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh.
Rabada, 29, reached the 300-wicket mark in just 11,817 balls, breaking Waqar Younis’ 24-year-old record of achieving the same in 12,602 balls over 65 Test matches.
In a stellar performance, Rabada finished with figures of 3-26 from 11 overs, as Bangladesh was bowled out for 106. South Africa responded with 140-6 before bad light forced an early end to the day’s play.
Reflecting on the match, Rabada commented on the pitch conditions, saying, “We thought it would turn rather than seam, but there was some movement with the new ball. There wasn’t much swing, but the seam movement off the wicket was surprising.”
Rabada admitted that he wasn’t focused on the 300-wicket milestone during the game. “I was more concerned with how we were going to win this Test, especially after bowling first. When I reached the milestone, it was more of a relief. It’s a special moment. I didn’t know about the record, but it motivates me to aim even higher.”
With this achievement, Rabada joins an elite group of South African bowlers who have reached 300 Test wickets, including Dale Steyn (439), Shaun Pollock (421), Makhaya Ntini (390), Allan Donald (330), and Morne Morkel (309).
