It was the first ball of the seventh over. Bangladesh had opted to bat after winning the toss, and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy was on 8 from 18 deliveries — scratchy, uncertain, but surviving. Shaheen, steaming in from the pavilion end with his characteristic high-arm action, delivered a full-length ball that angled across the right-hander. Joy, drawn into a tentative push away from his body, could only manage a thick outside edge. Mohammad Rizwan, standing up to the stumps with anticipation that bordered on premonition, pouched the catch comfortably.

The celebration was not explosive. It was knowing. Shaheen raised the ball to the Dhaka sky, acknowledged his teammates, and allowed himself a brief, private smile. Behind that smile lay 28 matches of toil, 47 innings of relentless probing, and 99 wickets that had brought him to this single delivery. He had become the 19th bowler in the history of the World Test Championship to join the 100-wicket club — and the very first from Pakistan.

The World Test Championship began on August 1, 2019. Shaheen Shah Afridi was 19 years old then — a tall, gangly left-arm quick with a slinging action, already generating uncomfortable bounce but still learning the craft of Test match bowling. Over the next seven years, across three WTC cycles, he would evolve from a raw talent into Pakistan’s most reliable red-ball weapon.

His WTC best of 6 for 51 came during a devastating spell that showcased his ability to reverse the older ball at high pace. He has taken three five-wicket hauls in the competition, each a testament to his endurance on dead Asian pitches that offer little to fast bowlers. Across all Test cricket, Shaheen has now claimed 121 wickets in 33 matches at an average of 27.92. In the ODI format, he has 139 wickets in 74 games; in T20Is, 136 wickets in 103 appearances. His combined international tally stands at a formidable 396 wickets — and he is still only 26.

His recent form has been exceptional. Leading the Lahore Qalandars as captain in the 2026 Pakistan Super League, Shaheen collected 16 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 18.19 — a campaign that sharpened his rhythm ahead of the Bangladesh series.

Shaheen stands alone on the summit, but behind him lies a fascinating list of Pakistani bowlers who have contributed to the nation’s WTC campaigns. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali — Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in the 2023–2025 WTC cycle — sits second with 89 wickets from 20 matches, including a remarkable 8 for 46 as his best. Off-spinner Sajid Khan follows with 63 wickets in just 12 matches at an impressive strike rate. The next five — Naseem Shah (60), Abrar Ahmed (46), Yasir Shah (41), Hasan Ali (35), and Mohammad Abbas (34) — form a pack of bowlers who, while capable, have not yet approached Shaheen’s consistency or longevity in the competition.

Shaheen’s entry into the 100-wicket club places him in elite company. The all-time WTC wicket-takers’ list is, almost exclusively, a roll call of modern greats. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon sits at the top with 224 wickets in 55 matches, his longevity and mastery of varied conditions unmatched. His captain Pat Cummins is a close second with 222 scalps in 54 Tests, while left-arm quick Mitchell Starc — fresh from a starring role in Australia’s Ashes triumph earlier this year — completes the Australian triumvirate at third with 221 wickets in 52 matches.

India’s presence in the upper echelons is formidable. Ravichandran Ashwin, the now-retired off-spin genius, claimed 195 WTC wickets in 41 matches before stepping away from international cricket. Jasprit Bumrah follows with 185 wickets at a staggering average and economy, while Ravindra Jadeja (156) and Mohammed Siraj (139) underline India’s bowling depth. Kagiso Rabada (164) carries the flag for South Africa. Stuart Broad (134), though retired from internationals, and Josh Hazlewood (130) round out the top ten of the all-time list.

While Shaheen’s milestone provided the day’s emotional high point for Pakistan, the scoreboard told a different story. Bangladesh, after being sent in to bat, recovered from an early wobble at 31 for 2 to close the opening day at a commanding 301 for 4 from 85 overs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto led the charge with a magnificent century — becoming the first Bangladesh captain to score a Test hundred against Pakistan — while Mominul Haque compiled a steady half-century. Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 48 at stumps, having faced 104 deliveries with six boundaries. Litton Das was on 8 not out.

Hasan Ali had provided Pakistan’s second breakthrough by removing Shadman Islam for 13, but thereafter the home side’s middle order asserted control. The day belonged to Shaheen historically, but to Bangladesh tactically — a reminder that in Test cricket, individual brilliance and team fortunes do not always travel the same road.

Wasim Akram (Former Pakistan Captain): “One hundred WTC wickets for Shaheen is a phenomenal achievement. Left-arm fast bowlers who can swing the new ball and reverse the old one are rare. He is the complete package, and at 26, his best years are still ahead of him. This is a proud moment for Pakistan cricket.”

Waqar Younis (Former Pakistan Coach): “What sets Shaheen apart is his hunger. He wants to bowl. He wants the new ball, the old ball, every ball. To be the first Pakistani to 100 WTC wickets — in a competition dominated by spinners — speaks volumes about his skill and fitness.”

Gulf News: “At just 26 years old, Afridi continues to establish himself as one of Pakistan’s most important red-ball bowlers and remains the country’s highest wicket-taker in WTC history.”

The immediate task is clear: help Pakistan recover in the Dhaka Test after Bangladesh’s strong opening day. Beyond that lies a packed international calendar. With the World Test Championship cycle continuing through 2026 and into 2027, Shaheen will have ample opportunity to climb the all-time wicket-takers’ list. If his body holds — and his recent fitness record suggests it will — the top ten is within reach, and perhaps, eventually, the summit itself.

For now, though, the moment belongs to history. One hundred WTC wickets. The first Pakistani. The 19th bowler on the planet. The Eagle has landed. And he is not done flying.