Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad Joins India Regular In Infamous Test Feat

Khurram Shahzad & Gautam Gambhir (In circle) | Image source: AFP

Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad took two wickets in quick succession on Friday (August 21) in the first match of the three-Test series against England at Headingley, Leeds. In the process, he attained a feat, joining one of India’s current regulars in red-ball cricket, although he won’t be proud of going there.

After bowling 21.5 overs, Khurram Shahzad finished with the figures of 3/133. With that, he became one of the four bowlers in the history of cricket who had leaked more than 100 runs in an innings while picking up three or more wickets, combined with playing against England in England with an economy rate above six runs.

Earlier, Joe Root was Khurram’s first wicket, while Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue were his last two victims.

Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad Joins Exclusive Unwanted List Ft. Prasidh Krishna

It was Australia’s Mitchell Johnson who had achieved this feat before anyone else, back in 2009. After that, Alzarri Joseph from West Indies joined him, followed by India’s 30-year-old pace sensation Prasidh Krishna.

Interestingly, Prasidh Krishna had achieved the same feat at the same venue where Khurram Shahzad had, at Headingley, Leeds.

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More significantly, Khurram Shahzad was the only bowler from Pakistan’s attack who had leaked 100 or more runs in the first innings against England. Ali Usman was the closest, having given up 95 runs in 24 overs but picked up five wickets for it.

Mohammad Abbas had 1/78, while Mohammad Ali returned 1/89, as England finished after posting 409 runs on the board after Pakistan's 171 in the first innings.

Khurram Shahzad Test Stats

Khurram Shahzad is still new to Pakistan cricket, having only played eight Tests for the country before the first Test against England.

Prior to the match, he had claimed 32 wickets in eight matches, striking at 42.3 while averaging 27.71. However, his economy rate has always been on the higher side, with 3.92 speaking volumes.

Shahzad was particularly exceptional against Bangladesh, taking eight wickets in a single Test match in May this year. However, his numbers dipped in the West Indies, getting four wickets in two innings, which led to him being dropped from Pakistan playing XI for the second Test.

Khurram Shahzad's Spot In Danger For PAK vs ENG Test

Even though Khurram Shahzad picked up three wickets here, he could be dropped from the Pakistan playing XI for the second Test against England, scheduled to get underway on August 27 at Lord's, London.

The likes of Aamer Jamal and Ubaid Shah, as well as spinner Sajid Khan are waiting on the bench, and with the potential return of Babar Azam as Pakistan captain, he might be dropped yet again, just like what happened in the West Indies.

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