Sandeep Lamichhane becomes 2nd fastest to 100 T20I wickets

Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, on June 16 (Sunday), became the second-fastest to 100 T20 International (T20I) wickets. He achieved this feat in his 54th match in the format. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan is the quickest to the landmark, getting there in 53 games. Incidentally, the top three fastest to 100 T20I wickets are leg-spinners, with Wanindu Hasaranga occupying the third spot, getting to the milestone in 63 matches.

Technically, this is Lamichhane's 53rd for Nepal. He played one match for the ICC World XI against the West Indies in 2018 at Lord's, going wicketless in that game.

Lamichhane got to the landmark in the game against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup 2024 in St Vincent. The 23-year-old went into this match with 98 wickets under his belt. He went wicketless in the previous game against South Africa but picked up a couple against Bangladesh, finishing with 2/17. 

Tanzim Hasan Sakib was his 99th victim. He did not pick the googly and went for an expansive drive and the ball sneaked in between bat and pad and crashed into the stumps. In his next over, Jaker Ali, too, was cleaned up by yet another googly.

Due to visa issues, Lamichhane could not participate in the US leg of the tournament but has featured in both of Nepal's matches in the Caribbean. 

A globetrotting superstar, Lamichhane made his T20I debut for Nepal in 2018. He has been key to Nepal's success over the years, playing a significant role in the Asia Qualifiers that saw them through to the 2024 T20 World Cup — Nepal's first in a decade. 

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