ABU DHABI: 32-year-old leg-spinner Yasir Shah has shattered Clarrie Grimmett’s 82-year-old record by taking 200 Test wickets in his 33rd Test here today.
He achieved this milestone in the 4th day of the 3rd Test against New Zealand by dismissing Will Somerville.
It is pertinent to mention here that Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett took his 200th Test scalp while playing against South Africa in Johannesburg back in 1936.
Relevant: Chairman National Selection Committee Inzamam ul Haq said on Thursday that the rare feat of spinner Yasir Shah of becoming the fastest bowler to take 200 wickets has made the entire country proud.
“He has taken himself and Pakistan into cricket history books by achieving an unprecedented record which was set 82 years ago and he will be long remembered for accomplishing such a rare goal,” he told reporters at the LCCA ground after prize distribution ceremony of a local cricket tournament.
“We are considering to select Yasir in the one day team as well as he has performed outstandingly in the longest version of cricket,” he said.
Yasir shattered the record in the third and final Test match against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi. The 32-year-old trapped nightwatchman Will Somerville leg before for four runs – his second wicket of New Zealand’s second innings – to reach the milestone in his 33rd Test, beating Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett’s record of 36 Tests set against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1936.
Inzamam expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Pak team in the Test series against New Zealand and said players are working hard to justify their inclusion in the team.
“Doctors had given rest to opener Fakhar Zaman and pace bowler Muhammad Abbas and both of them have now resumed cricket practice to get into full rhythm,” said the chief selector.
To a question he said it is a positive aspect that Pak team’s middle order is performing good as Usman Salahuddin, Abid Ali are doing good and they will be given further chance in future as well.
He said veteran batsman, Muhammad Hafeez has taken the decision to retire from test cricket without any pressure from any quarter.
He urged Pakistan cricket captain, Sarfraz Ahmad, to perform further better as he can the potential to lift the level of his game. “His performance of good but there is still a room to improve,” he asserted.
He rejected questioner that players are selected on the basis of provinces or a specific region. “ We select players based on their performance, setting aside Lahore or Karachi factor, and selections in the national teams are being made purely on merit keeping in view on the future of the country in cricket “, said Inzamam.
He said pacer Muhammad Amir is a quality batsman who is now performing to a good level after overcoming a bad patch.
To a question, he said, there is no restriction from Pakistan cricket board to include batsman Salman Butt in the team. “ Whenever need will arise we will consider him “, he added.
He called upon the club cricket organizer to strengthen club cricket by organizing regular club tournaments and matches to expose the young cricketers to competitive and quality cricket.
A relevant piece published earlier:
