Kagiso Rabada in action for South Africa cricket team© AFP
South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada became the fastest to reach the 300 Test wickets milestone in terms of balls bowled during the opening Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday. Bangladesh were tantalized by South African bowlers following their decision to bat after winning the toss. After Wiaan Mulder made early inroads with swinging deliveries and extracting extra bounce from the surface. Rabada joined in the action, made the most of what the pitch offered and removed Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, which added to Bangladesh's agony.
Following his mouthwatering spell, Rabada became the fastest to reach 300 Test wickets after bowling 11,817 deliveries. He established his prowess by surpassing the iconic Waqar Younis (12,602), Dale Steyn (12,605), Allan Donald (13,672) and Malcolm Marshall (13,728).
Rabada became the first bowler ever to take 300 Test wickets in under 12000 deliveries.
Fewest balls taken for 300 Test wickets
11817 - Kagiso Rabada (SA)*
12602 - Waqar Younis (PAK)
12605 - Dale Steyn (SA)
13672 - Allan Donald (SA)
Pakistan's Younis held the record of becoming the fastest to hit 300 Test wickets in 12,602 deliveries. Rabada dethroned him from the top and bettered his record by 785 balls.
Before Rabada's heroics, the legendary Dale Steyn was the quickest to land the 300 Test wickets milestone after bowling 12,605 deliveries. But he has now slipped to the second spot following the 29-year-old's breathtaking display.
He capped off his impressive display by bagging Nayeem Hasan's scalp which reduced Bangladesh to 102/9. Rabada ended the first inning with figures of 3/26 in his 11-over spell, giving away runs at an economy of 2.40.
Bangladesh folded on a paltry score of 106 after Taijul Islam fell straight into Keshav Maharaj's trap. Rabada, Mulder and Maharaj ended the first inning with a three-wicket haul each.