Did Bahrain's Ali Dawood Just Achieve the Second-Best Figures in Men's T20I History?
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Synopsis
Bahrain's Ali Dawood has made waves in cricket history with his extraordinary bowling figures of 7-19 against Bhutan, marking the second-best in T20I history. His performance not only secured a vital win for Bahrain but also places him among the elite bowlers of the game. Can Dawood continue this remarkable form and lead Bahrain to further victories?
Key Takeaways
- Ali Dawood's 7-19 ranks as the second-best in T20I history.
- He is the second bowler to achieve seven wickets in a T20I.
- Bahrain won the match by 35 runs, leading the series.
- Dawood's performance included three wickets in one over.
- He has a career average of 14.10 in T20Is.
New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) Bahraini fast bowler Ali Dawood has made history by recording astonishing bowling figures of 7-19, marking the second-best performance in men’s T20I history against Bhutan. The 33-year-old pacer is only the second bowler to claim seven wickets in a T20I, following Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus.
Dawood's remarkable performance dismantled Bhutan’s batting order, leading to a 35-run victory for Bahrain in the third match of their five-match series. He was introduced in the third over and quickly made an impact, taking two wickets to leave Bhutan struggling at 11/3, before returning to obliterate the lower order.
Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, Dawood secured three wickets in the 16th over and followed up with two more in his next over, concluding with an impressive 7-19. Despite a resilient 67-run fourth-wicket partnership, Bhutan was bowled out for 125, while Bahrain had posted 160/4, earning a 2-1 lead in the series.
Currently, Dawood's figures place him just behind Idrus, who achieved an extraordinary 7-8 against China during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia B Qualifier at Bayuemas Oval in 2023. Notably, all of Dawood’s seven dismissals were through bowled outs.
Completing the top five performances in men’s T20I history are 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).
Among ICC full members, Chahar holds the record for the best bowling figures in a men's T20I, achieved at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
With this latest performance, Dawood has now amassed 96 wickets from 64 T20Is at an impressive average of 14.10 and a remarkable economy rate of 5.96. This match against Bhutan marks his first five-wicket haul in T20Is, alongside three previous four-wicket hauls.
Point of View
I believe Ali Dawood's remarkable achievement is not just a personal milestone but a significant boost for Bahraini cricket on the global stage. His performance exemplifies the growing talent in non-traditional cricketing nations and inspires young athletes to pursue the sport. We should celebrate such achievements as they enhance the diversity and competition in international cricket.
NationPress
12/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Ali Dawood's bowling figures?
Ali Dawood recorded remarkable figures of 7-19 against Bhutan, placing him second in men's T20I history.
What record did Dawood achieve?
He became only the second bowler to take seven wickets in a T20I, following Malaysia’s Syazrul Idrus.
How did Bahrain perform in the match?
Bahrain won the match against Bhutan by 35 runs, securing a 2-1 lead in the series.
What is Ali Dawood's overall T20I record?
Dawood has taken 96 wickets in 64 T20Is at an average of 14.10, with an economy rate of 5.96.
Where was the match played?
The match took place in Gelephu, Bhutan.
