In a stunning display of spin bowling prowess, Pakistan has shattered a long-standing record in Test cricket, achieving a feat not seen in 142 years. During the third Test match against England, held in Rawalpindi, the Pakistani team began their first innings entirely with spin bowlers, an unprecedented occurrence in the sport’s history.
In this remarkable innings, a total of 68.2 overs were bowled exclusively by spin bowlers. Sajid Khan led the charge, taking 6 wickets for 128 runs across 29.2 overs. Nauman Ali contributed significantly with 3 wickets for 88 runs in 28 overs, while Zahid Mahmood and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 1 wicket for 44 runs and 0 wickets for 3 balls, respectively. Notably, Aamer Jamal, the only fast bowler in the squad, did not bowl a single delivery throughout the innings.
This milestone marks the first time in over a century that no fast bowler has participated in the first innings of a Test match.
England’s first innings in Rawalpindi was only the second time in Test history that no pace was bowled in the first innings of a match! The last instance of such an unusual scenario dates back to February 1882 in Sydney, when Australian slow bowlers Joe Palmer and Edwin Evans bowled 115 overs to dismiss England for a mere 133 runs.
This historic achievement not only highlights the evolution of spin bowling in cricket but also cements Pakistan’s place in the annals of cricket history.
