Yasir Shah, the Pakistan leg-spinner, has become the fastest to 200 Test wickets in the third Test against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi on Thursday, December 6.
The 32-year-old reached the milestone when he dismissed Will Somerville, who was trapped LBW after scoring four runs off 34 deliveries.
Yasir Shah becomes the fastest to 200 Test wickets. 👏
He traps nightwatchman Somerville in front and reaches the landmark in just his 33rd Test!
Congratulations!#PAKvNZ LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/cS8PI6iRJl pic.twitter.com/mdtFVLaqOZ
— ICC (@ICC) December 6, 2018
Shah took 33 Tests to reach the double-century of wickets, breaking the record set by Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett – in 1936 by three Tests. The leg-spinner boasts of 16 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in his career.
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“I think he is consistent. His line and length is perfect and has variations. He can bowl leg-spin, googly and flipper, which is helpful in Test cricket,” said Shahid Afridi in a conversation with ESPN Cricinfo.
“And you know if you are consistent with your line and length and the batsmen — who are now playing aggressive cricket after the introduction of T20 and T10 cricket — can make mistakes.”
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The Pakistan bowler, with 27 wickets, is the leading wicket-taker of the series so far.
He produced a Player of the Match performance in the second Test, returning career-best figures of 14-184 in the hosts’ emphatic victory in Dubai.
