Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas created history during the first Test against the West Indies. He surpassed a long-standing national record previously held by legendary captain Imran Khan.
Abbas delivered an outstanding performance on Day 3 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. His accuracy, discipline, and consistent line troubled the West Indies batting lineup. As a result, Pakistan remained competitive in the match.
After taking three wickets in the first innings, Abbas returned with another impressive spell in the second innings. He quickly damaged the hosts’ top order by removing Brandon King and Kavem Hodge during his third over.
Later, he dismissed Justin Greaves to complete another crucial three-wicket haul. These wickets helped Abbas reach a major milestone in his Test career.
Abbas Becomes Pakistan’s Best Test Fast Bowling Average Holder
With 116 wickets in 30 Test matches, Abbas improved his career bowling average to 22.69. This achievement officially made him the Pakistan fast bowler with the best Test bowling average among players with at least 100 wickets.
Before Abbas, Imran Khan held the national record for decades. The former Pakistan captain finished his Test career with 362 wickets in 88 matches at an average of 22.81.
The leading Pakistani fast bowlers by Test average include:
- Mohammad Abbas: 30 Tests, 116 wickets, average 22.69
- Imran Khan: 88 Tests, 362 wickets, average 22.81
- Waqar Younis: 87 Tests, 373 wickets, average 23.56
Abbas Joins Elite Group of Pakistan Fast Bowlers
Since making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2017, Abbas has established himself as one of Pakistan’s most dependable bowlers, especially in overseas conditions.
Moreover, the latest achievement added another milestone to his career. Abbas became only the sixth Pakistani fast bowler to claim 100 Test wickets away from home.
He joined an elite list featuring Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Mohammad Amir, and Umar Gul. Interestingly, Abbas now holds the best bowling average among these legendary performers.
Meanwhile, the Tarouba Test has entered a crucial stage. At the end of Day 3, West Indies were struggling at 126 for seven in their second innings. They extended their overall lead to 155 runs, while Abbas continued leading Pakistan’s fightback with his exceptional bowling display.
