In the third match of a five-match series between Bahrain and Bhutan, Bahrain pacer Ali Dawood made history with a 7-wicket spell, which has now been listed as the second-best figures in T20 cricket.
T20 cricket has been the sensation for cricketers around the globe; however, in recent times even several records have been made by players from the Associate nations. From Dipender Singh Aree’s quickest half-century to the best bowling figures record held by Syazul Idrus.
Another such historic instance has been marked in the game between Bahrain and Bhutan, two associate nations who are currently playing in a 5-match T20I series.
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Ali Dawood makes history with 7-wickets vs Bhutan
In the third T20I of the series, between Bhutan and Bahrain, Bahrain pacer Ali Dawood shocked the record books by picking 7 wickets, giving away just 19 runs. This is the second-best figure in Men’s T20I history.
The 33-year-old pacer became the second bowler after Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus to have claimed seven wickets in T20 international cricket. With his efforts, he dismantled Bhutan’s chase in Gelephu, sealing a 35-run victory.
Dawood was introduced into the attack in the third over of the game, as he struck twice to leave the hosts scurrying at 11/3 and later returned to claim the remainder of the wickets. He then went on to pick 3 more wickets in his second spell and two more wickets in his final over.
Dawood beats the Indian pacer’s former record in T20Is
Ali Dawood was born in Sialkot in Pakistan, and went on to be the second pacer to claim seven wickets in a T20I game. He now sits behind the former seamer Idrus, who had claimed an incredible 7/8 against China during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia qualifier.
Other than them, Singapore’s Harsha Bharadwaj (6-3 against Mongolia in 2024), Nigeria’s Peter Aho (6-5 against Sierra Leone in 2021), and India’s Deepak Chahar (6-7 against Bangladesh in 2019) are among the other best-performing figures in T20I cricket.
Among all full members, Chahar holds the record for best bowling figures, but the Bahrain pacer has beaten him in the overall records tally.
Best bowling figures in an innings in T20Is
| Player |
Team |
Figures | Opposition | Year |
| Syazrul Idrus | Malaysia | 7/8 | China | 2023 |
| Ali Dawood | Bahrain | 7/19 | Bhutan | 2025 |
| Harsha Bharadwaj | Singapore | 6/3 | Mongolia | 2024 |
| Peter Aho | Nigeria | 6/5 | Sierra Leone | 2021 |
| Deepak Chahar | India | 6/7 | Bangladesh | 2019 |
Ali Dawood’s stats for Bahrain
The experienced pacer for Bahrain has been playing for a long time for the Bahrain side and has played 64 matches in the shortest format of the game. Having made a significant rise in international cricket, he has claimed 96 wickets in the format.
Dawood averages a startling 14.10 and has an economy of 5.96. This also marked his maiden five-wicket haul in addition to his three four-wicket hauls. He has also played First Class and List A cricket domestically, having a total wicket tally of 117.
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