A tale of two Pakistan-born legspinners
The contrasting careers of Imran Tahir and Mansoor Amjad, and the fewest wickets lost in an ODI series
Steven Lynch
21-Jun-2016
Imran Tahir became the only South African bowler with a seven-for in ODIs • AFP
Zimbabwe took only three Indian wickets during the recent ODIs. Was this a record for a three-match series? asked Haresh Sukhraj from Canada
India lost only three wickets in the recent series - one in the first match, two in the second and none in the third - as they walloped Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare. This is indeed a record low for a completed three-match series: the previous fewest wickets lost was seven, by South Africa in Bangladesh in March 2008, when they won the first game by nine wickets and the other two by seven. Zimbabwe lost just six wickets in three matches against Kenya at home in December 2002, but the third of those games was washed out with Zimbabwe 17 for 1. Australia lost only eight wickets - six in one game - in winning 3-0 in Zimbabwe in October 1999.
India lost only three wickets in the recent series - one in the first match, two in the second and none in the third - as they walloped Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare. This is indeed a record low for a completed three-match series: the previous fewest wickets lost was seven, by South Africa in Bangladesh in March 2008, when they won the first game by nine wickets and the other two by seven. Zimbabwe lost just six wickets in three matches against Kenya at home in December 2002, but the third of those games was washed out with Zimbabwe 17 for 1. Australia lost only eight wickets - six in one game - in winning 3-0 in Zimbabwe in October 1999.
Zimbabwe upset India in a T20I the other day. Have they beaten all the major countries in the format now? asked Khaya Winston from Zimbabwe
Well, Zimbabwe had already beaten India in a T20I - to square the series in Harare last year. But Zimbabwe are still awaiting their first T20 victories over England (who they have met only once), New Zealand (six matches), Pakistan (nine), South Africa (three), Sri Lanka (three) … and Afghanistan (five). But Zimbabwe do boast a 100% record against Australia, having won their only encounter, in Cape Town during the inaugural World T20 in 2007. In all Zimbabwe have won 13 of their 52 T20Is: the other victories have come against Bangladesh (four), Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Scotland, UAE and West Indies. They also played out a tie against Canada in King City in October 2008, but won the bowl-out.
Well, Zimbabwe had already beaten India in a T20I - to square the series in Harare last year. But Zimbabwe are still awaiting their first T20 victories over England (who they have met only once), New Zealand (six matches), Pakistan (nine), South Africa (three), Sri Lanka (three) … and Afghanistan (five). But Zimbabwe do boast a 100% record against Australia, having won their only encounter, in Cape Town during the inaugural World T20 in 2007. In all Zimbabwe have won 13 of their 52 T20Is: the other victories have come against Bangladesh (four), Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Scotland, UAE and West Indies. They also played out a tie against Canada in King City in October 2008, but won the bowl-out.
Jonny Bairstow completed 50 dismissals in his tenth Test as the designated wicketkeeper. Has anyone got there quicker? asked Bob Rothwell from Australia
The only other man to reach 50 dismissals in his tenth Test behind the stumps is another who faced criticism over his glovework early in his career: Mark Boucher also reached the landmark in his tenth match, but kept in one fewer innings - 17 to Bairstow's 18. Adam Gilchrist took 11 Tests (21 innings) to reach his half-century, while Courtney Browne and Dave Richardson both took 12 (and 20). Gilchrist edged the race to three figures, reaching 100 dismissals in his 22nd Test to Boucher's 23, and was also fastest to 200 (47 Tests, with Brad Haddin next on 50).
The only other man to reach 50 dismissals in his tenth Test behind the stumps is another who faced criticism over his glovework early in his career: Mark Boucher also reached the landmark in his tenth match, but kept in one fewer innings - 17 to Bairstow's 18. Adam Gilchrist took 11 Tests (21 innings) to reach his half-century, while Courtney Browne and Dave Richardson both took 12 (and 20). Gilchrist edged the race to three figures, reaching 100 dismissals in his 22nd Test to Boucher's 23, and was also fastest to 200 (47 Tests, with Brad Haddin next on 50).
Was Imran Tahir the first South African bowler to take seven wickets in a one-day international? asked Jamie Stewart from Canada
Imran Tahir's 7 for 45 against West Indies in St Kitts last week were the best ODI figures for South Africa, beating Kagiso Rabada's 6 for 16 on debut against Bangladesh in Mirpur last July. There have been only eight other seven-wicket hauls in ODIs - plus Chaminda Vaas's format-best 8 for 19 for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in Colombo in December 2001. For the full list, click here.
Imran Tahir's 7 for 45 against West Indies in St Kitts last week were the best ODI figures for South Africa, beating Kagiso Rabada's 6 for 16 on debut against Bangladesh in Mirpur last July. There have been only eight other seven-wicket hauls in ODIs - plus Chaminda Vaas's format-best 8 for 19 for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in Colombo in December 2001. For the full list, click here.
Imran Tahir is the fastest South African bowler to take 100 wickets in one-day internationals. But who was the fastest of all to reach that milestone? asked David Ferrier from Belgium
Legspinner Imran Tahir (born in Pakistan) passed 100 wickets in ODIs during his 7 for 45 against West Indies in St Kitts last week. It was his 58th match, so he just pipped Morne Morkel's previous South African record of 59. Three bowlers have reached three figures in fewer matches: Brett Lee of Australia got there in 55 games, and New Zealander Shane Bond in 54 - but the quickest of all was the Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took his 100th wicket in his 53rd ODI. Saqlain is also the quickest in terms of time - he took 592 days to reach three figures, the best part of a year quicker than Irfan Pathan (832 days). Tahir took more than five years to reach 100, well down the overall list in 44th place: the fastest South African by time remains Shaun Pollock, in just over three years (1173 days, seventh overall), but 68 matches.
Legspinner Imran Tahir (born in Pakistan) passed 100 wickets in ODIs during his 7 for 45 against West Indies in St Kitts last week. It was his 58th match, so he just pipped Morne Morkel's previous South African record of 59. Three bowlers have reached three figures in fewer matches: Brett Lee of Australia got there in 55 games, and New Zealander Shane Bond in 54 - but the quickest of all was the Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took his 100th wicket in his 53rd ODI. Saqlain is also the quickest in terms of time - he took 592 days to reach three figures, the best part of a year quicker than Irfan Pathan (832 days). Tahir took more than five years to reach 100, well down the overall list in 44th place: the fastest South African by time remains Shaun Pollock, in just over three years (1173 days, seventh overall), but 68 matches.
Who took three wickets in his only over of a T20I - and never played again? asked Arjun Krishna Murthy from India
This unfortunate bowler was the Sialkot legspinner Mansoor Amjad, who played in Pakistan's one-off T20I against Bangladesh in Karachi in April 2008. Brought on for the 16th over, he dismissed Mahmudullah with his second ball, Mashrafe Mortaza with his fifth, and Shahadat Hossain with his sixth. That wrapped up the match - and poor Amjad was never selected again, despite finishing with the eye-catching figures of 1-0-3-3. He did make a solitary one-day international appearance a couple of months later, taking 1 for 44 in his ten overs against Sri Lanka in Karachi, but never appeared in a Test. He had also played for Leicestershire in 2006 and 2007.
This unfortunate bowler was the Sialkot legspinner Mansoor Amjad, who played in Pakistan's one-off T20I against Bangladesh in Karachi in April 2008. Brought on for the 16th over, he dismissed Mahmudullah with his second ball, Mashrafe Mortaza with his fifth, and Shahadat Hossain with his sixth. That wrapped up the match - and poor Amjad was never selected again, despite finishing with the eye-catching figures of 1-0-3-3. He did make a solitary one-day international appearance a couple of months later, taking 1 for 44 in his ten overs against Sri Lanka in Karachi, but never appeared in a Test. He had also played for Leicestershire in 2006 and 2007.
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Steven Lynch is the editor of the updated edition of Wisden on the Ashes