Sports Desk:

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has climbed to the top of world cricket once again, this time as the highest wicket-taker in men’s T20 internationals.

On Monday night in Sharjah, Rashid took three wickets for just 21 runs against the United Arab Emirates in a tri-series match. Afghanistan won the game by 38 runs after defending 189, with UAE managing only 150 for 8.

Those three scalps were enough to push Rashid past New Zealand pacer Tim Southee’s record of 164 wickets.

The 26-year-old leg-spinner now has 165 wickets in 98 matches, setting a new global benchmark in the format.

His achievement comes after a difficult run in recent tournaments — a lean IPL and an underwhelming stint in The Hundred — making the timing significant with the Asia Cup just around the corner.

Bangladesh fans will note their own names in the mix. Shakib Al Hasan sits further down the list with 149 wickets from 129 matches, while Mustafizur Rahman has 142 in 113. New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi is also in the top bracket with 150 wickets from 126 matches.

For Rashid, though, Monday night was about putting the struggles aside and reminding the world why he remains one of cricket’s premier match-winners.