Every game of cricket adds another chapter to the incredible story of this exciting game. Similarly, when Pakistan cricket team — which is unarguably the most unpredictable team in the world — steps onto the field, some strange and even wondrous things can happen as well.
On Monday, Sri Lanka registered a win over Pakistan in the first Test match of the series. Even for casual viewers of cricket, it was an exciting end to the match. After a rugged start, which was due to the slow nature of cricket that both these teams play, Sri Lanka opted to bat first. Little did anyone know how exciting a turn the match could take in its final days, and how many records could be set during that.
The match was significant for many reasons; from Pakistan losing their first match at Abu Dhabi, to Azhar Ali reaching 5,000 runs in his Test career.
A Day of Records
Here is a complete list of records which made their way to history books during the match:
- Yasir Shah became the joint second fastest bowler to take 150 wickets in Test cricket. He’s accompanied by Waqar Younis who achieved the milestone in the same 27 matches.
- Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath became the first ever left arm spinner to take 400 wickets in Test cricket.
- Herath also become the only player in the history of cricket to take 100 wickets against Pakistan. Before him, Kapil Dev had 99.
- Yasir Shah is the fastest amongst leg-spinners to take 150 wickets.
- Azhar Ali became the 8th Pakistani batsman to reach 5000 runs.
- Azhar Ali became the fourth fastest Pakistani batsman to reach the milestone of 5000 test runs (in 115 innings compared to Younis Khan’s 106).
- Sami Aslam scored the fourth highest number of fifties since Jan 2010 for Pakistan. 7 fifties to be precise.
- The opening partnership of 100 during the first innings between Sami Aslam and Shan Masood was the first by a Pakistani left handed pair since 2010.
- Haris Sohail’s 76 during first innings was the highest score by a Pakistani batsman on debut while batting at no. 6. position. The previous highest was by Asad Shafiq with 61 runs.
- This was the lowest total, 136, that was successfully defended in UAE (Sri Lanka won the match).
- This was Pakistan’s first ever Test defeat at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Sri Lanka won only three games with a margin of 50 or less, all of them came against Pakistan.
- This 21-runs defeat against Sri Lanka is Pakistan’s narrowest defeat in Test cricket. The previous was 24, against Zimbabwe in 2013.
- It was the first time Pakistan failed to chase a target of less than 140 in Test cricket.
What do you think about the first Test match? Do the records justify the game? Tell us in the comments below.
Good Zarar Bhai, Jab Record Aya hai Tab YASIR SHAH Ki Fastest 150 Wickets Ka Bh Zikar Kar Dete :
We did a separate post on it to show our appreciation. I’ll add it here too. Thanks, Wahab! :D