Cricket
Who’s given up more runs in their first four Tests than Abrar Ahmed?
Pakistan’s young legspinner Abrar Ahmed has given up more runs than any other bowler in his first four Tests: 942, with six innings where he gave up more than 100. (in one, he had 5 for 205). He has passed another spinner from Pakistan, the left-handed Abdur Rehman, who gave up 774 runs in his first four Tests, including six scores of 100 or more.
Unless Abrar has a very quiet fifth match, he will continue to lead the way and probably be the first to give up 1000 runs. The Australian legspinner Arthur Mailey gave up 946 runs in his first five Tests and went over 1000 in the second innings of his sixth Test at Lord’s in 1921.
Mailey was one of seven players to reach 1000 in their sixth Test. The others were Abdur Rehman, who is currently in first place with 1079 runs, six more than Mailey, R Ashwin, Alf Valentine, Mark Craig, Tharindu Kaushal, and Tom Richardson (1001).
In the third Test against Pakistan, Joe Root got two wickets but didn’t do much with the bat. Was this the first Test in which he got more wickets than runs?
In his 127th Test, Joe Root got more wickets than runs in the third Test in Karachi last month. This was the first time he had done this.
Before this, Root’s last match as captain, against West Indies in Grenada in March 2022, was the closest he had come to this. After getting a “duck” in the first innings of the match, he got Jayden Seales out and was ahead with the ball. When England batted again, he got 5 runs, so he was ahead with the bat as well. Here is a full list of all the Tests Root has played in.
In his 56th Test, in Sydney, Usman Khawaja beat his best score. Who did his best work near the end of his career?
Usman Khawaja did beat his best score in the last Test against South Africa in Sydney last week. Before his 195 not out, his best score was 174 against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015-16, which was his first Test century.
As you probably already know, a player’s 56th match is a long way from being a record for improving on a career-best score late in the game. Seven people have done it after playing more than 100 Tests. The most surprising name is probably Glenn McGrath, who scored 61 in his 102nd Test against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2004-05. This was his only half-century in Tests.
But Jacques Kallis was the most recent. In his 150th Test, he hit his highest score of 224 against Sri Lanka in Cape Town in 2011-12. In his 118th match, against England at The Oval in 2007, Anil Kumble got his only century (110 not out).
When it came to bowlers, Jimmy Anderson beat his previous best of 7 for 43 in his 129th Test against West Indies at Lord’s in 2017. He took 7 for 42 instead of 7 for 43. McGrath got his best bowling figures (8 for 24) in his 104th Test, while Joe Root and Allan Border got theirs in their 102nd and 101st, respectively. (Only players who took at least five wickets in an innings are on this list.)
During the second Test in Karachi, New Zealand got a score of 277 for 5, and each of Pakistan’s five bowlers got one wicket. What is the most different person who took a wicket in a full innings?
Seven different bowlers have taken a wicket in four Test innings. The first was in 1898-99, when England played Australia in Melbourne. It was part of an innings that also included a run out. All three other times happened in South Africa: against England in Durban in 1922–1923, by Australia in Johannesburg in 1966–1967, and by New Zealand in Centurion in 2005–2006. Except for the match in Johannesburg, where there were eight, each time there were only seven bowlers (the Australian offspinner Tom Veivers failed to strike). There have also been two sevens in women’s Test matches, both of which were played by Australia in this century.
In one-day internationals, the women are in the lead. In Dublin in 2006, Ireland was bowled out for 105 runs by eight Indian bowlers and a run out. In men’s one-day internationals, the most runs scored is seven. This has happened eight times, most recently when the United States and Papua New Guinea tied in Port Moresby last September. Six PNG bowlers also got a wicket in that game, giving them a total of 13 wickets, which is the most ever in an ODI. In T20 internationals, men’s teams have done this four times and women’s teams have done it twice.
In first-class cricket, there have been nine times when eight bowlers each took a wicket in the same innings. The most recent time was in South Africa’s Sunfoil Series in 2017-18, when Warriors’ bowlers took out Dolphins in Durban.
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
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