Yasir Shah — who was doubtful for the series against Sri Lanka — has added yet another unique record by becoming the first-ever spinner to take five-wicket haul in five consecutive Test matches.
The 31-year-old, playing only his 28th Test match, completed the Dubai Test’s first innings with the figures of 55.5-9-184-6; this was the 13th five-wicket haul of his career.
Yasir had earlier claimed a five-wicket haul in the Abu Dhabi Test as well, where he managed the figures of 5 for 51. Before that, all his five-fors came against West Indies; 5 for 51 in Dominica Test, 7 for 94 in Barbados Test and 6 for 63 in Jamaica Test.
It is worth mentioning that all of his five-wickets came in the second-innings of each Test.
Talking about his achievement, Yasir Shah said:
This is what we have to do, to bowl. I always try when I play for the team that I do well, that I bowl well. The wickets here are such – in Dubai, you don’t get much support for spinners on the first day, so that’s why I had to work a lot.
So, I just wanted to support the fast bowlers at one end. On the second day there was more break but the body was a little tired from so much bowling. I probably haven’t bowled this much in a stretch before but I’m okay, the body is moving along.
There is no doubt that Yasir deserves this feat more than anyone, given how hard-working the leg-spinner is. Since England’s tour in 2016, he has bowled 40 or more overs ten times in 40 innings. Taking it one step further, no one has bowled more overs than Yasir Shah since his debut three-years ago.
For Pakistan, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed both have five-fors in four consecutive Tests; their records came during series between 1990 and 1996.
Yasir Shah (Hope You Will Clean Bowled in ODI & T20 too)