ZCZC
BSP-18
CRICKET-PAK-NZL-YASIR
Yasir Shah fastest to 200 Test wickets, breaks 82-year record
ABU DHABI, Dec 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Pakistan’s leg-spinner Yasir Shah Thursday became
the fastest cricketer to take 200 Test wickets, breaking an 82-year-old record on the
fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand.
The 32-year-old trapped nightwatchman Will Somerville leg before for four — his
second wicket of the New Zealand second innings — to reach the milestone in his 33rd
Test, beating Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett’s record of 36 Tests achieved
against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1936.
Yasir, whose 14 wickets helped Pakistan level the series 1-1 in Dubai, now has 27
wickets in the three Tests against New Zealand.
His 14 for 184 were the second best match figures in a Test for Pakistan, behind
former captain and current prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who bagged 14 for 116
against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1982.
New Zealand, resuming at 26 for 2 on Thursday, fell to 37 for 3 after Yasir removed
Somerville and were still needing 37 runs to make Pakistan bat again.
Yasir began the Abu Dhabi Test with 195 wickets in 32 Tests and on the opening day
grabbed three early wickets but BJ Watling resisted with 77 not out, leaving him having
to complete his landmark in the second innings.
Since taking seven wickets on debut against Australia in 2014, Yasir has been a key
figure in Pakistan’s Test team.
He took 12 wickets in that 2-0 series win over Australia in United Arab Emirates in
2014 and followed that with 15 against New Zealand in a 1-1 draw the same year.
That was followed by 24 wickets against Sri Lanka in 2015 and 10 in a match to beat
England at Lord’s a year later. He took 21 and 25 wickets respectively in series wins
over the West Indies.
Yasir was also the fastest Pakistani to 50 wickets (nine Tests), reached 100 wickets
in 17 Tests — second only to Englishman George Lohmann who took 16 matches during a
Test in Johannesburg in 1896.
BSS/AFP/AU/12:55 hrs