Pakistan’s Unsung Hero Blanks Bangladesh, Joins Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, And Mohammad Amir

Pakistan’s unsung hero joins elite list [Source: AFP]

Pakistan made a strong comeback against Bangladesh on the opening day of the series-deciding second Test in Sylhet. Trailing 0-1 in the two-match Test series, Pakistan bowlers bundled out Bangladesh for just 278 in 77 overs.

Test specialist and first-class veteran Mohammad Abbas sparked Pakistan’s spirited fightback with a fiery three-wicket burst. The unsung speedster struck in the first over of the match itself with the wicket of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, before getting rid of fellow Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan and in-form captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Through the course of his wicket-taking routine on Day 1, Abbas scaled a huge landmark figure, joining the likes of legendary Pakistan fast bowlers like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan.

Mohammad Abbas unlocks landmark figure to entire rare Pakistan club

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas picked up three top-order Bangladeshi wickets on Day 1 of the second Test of the series in Sylhet on Saturday, May 16. The 36-year-old claimed fighting figures of 3-45 in his 16 overs.

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Through the course of his spell, Abbas also completed 100 Test wickets outside his home country. In doing so, the cricketer only became the sixth Pakistani fast bowler in history to reach the landmark figure, joining the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan in an illustrious club.

Here is a look at all Pakistan fast bowlers with 100 or more Test wickets to their names away from home.

Most Test Wickets by a Pakistan Pacer Outside Pakistan:

A look at Mohammad Abbas’ decorated Test career so far

Mohammad Abbas made his international debut in 2017, and played just three ODIs in his career before going out of contention from the format in March 2019. With just 28 Test caps to his name in his nine-year international journey, the cricketer has bagged 109 wickets in 51 innings at an exceptional bowling average of 22.84.

Notably, Abbas has claimed 100 of those wickets away from home, thus accounting for nearly 92 percent of his overall share of wickets outside Pakistan. In his three home Test appearances, the first-class veteran has secured nine wickets in five innings.

Pakistan on top on Day 1 as bowlers decimate Bangladesh

Pakistan captain Shan Masood, bolstered with the return of Babar Azam, won the toss and opted to field first. His bowlers responded strongly, with Mohammad Abbas leading the way earlier in the day.

The speedster’s three-fer, coupled with a cunning four-wicket haul from Khurram Shahzad helped Pakistan dismantle Bangladesh’s entire line-up for just 278 in 77 overs.

For Bangladesh, charismatic middle-order batter Litton Das smeared an attacking 126 off 159 balls with 16 boundaries and two sixes. No other Bangladeshi batter managed to hit the 30-run mark.

Pakistan openers Azan Awais (13* off 20) and Abdullah Fazal (8* off 16) survived the final six overs of the day to steer the visitors to 21-0 by stumps. The ‘Men in Green’ will now resume their first innings on Day 2, still 257 runs behind Bangladesh.

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