Patriot Web Desk: The Pakistan Cricket team is regarded as one of the most unpredictable team in the world of sports. The men form green slump to unlikely defeats at time but on the other hand they are capable of defying the odds and steam roll some of the strongest opponents, just like they did to India in the final of the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.
Here we have listed some of the unique records held by Pakistani cricketers in the game
1. Fastest delivery in International Cricket
One of the fastest pace bowlers the world has ever seen dubbed the Rawalpindi Express; Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for delivering the fastest ball in International Cricket. Shoaib claimed the record during the ICC World Cup 2003 in a match between Pakistan and England. In the match being played at Newlands (Cape Town), Shoaib Akhtar became the first bowler to cross the barrier of 100 mph’s; his delivery to Nick Knight clocked 100.2 mph/ 161.3 kmph. The record stands even today.
2. Most Sixes in International Cricket
Swashbuckling Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi holds the record for most sixes in International Cricket. The mercurial Pathan has a total of 476 sixes to his name in international cricket putting him on top of the pile ahead of Chris Gayle on the list. Shahid Afridi known for his explosive batting also held the record for the fastest century for a very long time before it was finally broken. Such was the appeal of the Pakistani all-rounder that stadiums filled up just because of him at home and abroad.
3. Most test centuries in a calendar year
Muhammad Yousuf inarguably is one the classiest batsmen the game of cricket has ever seen. The middle order batsman was in pristine form during 2006 when he hit nine centuries. Yousuf’s record stands till today and only no other batsmen has managed to score more than seven test centuries in one calendar year.
4. Most wickets in a calendar year in ODI cricket
Off Spinner Saqlain Muhstaq holds the record for taking most wickets in one day internationals in a calendar year. Even more impressive is the fact that the off-spinner managed to pull of this feat twice in two years and his wicket haul from the year 1997 and 1996 is still on top of the charts. Saqlain took 69 wickets during the year 1997 and 65 during 1996. Third on the list of most wickets in a calendar year is another Pakistani off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal. The ‘dosra’ maestro took 62 wickets during the calendar year 2013.
5. Most five wicket hauls in an innings in one day internationals
Waqar Younis was without doubt one of the deadliest pace bowlers the world of cricket has ever seen. Dubbed the Burewala Express, the pacer was feared for his deadly toe crushing yorkers. During his 262-match ODI career the pacer claimed a five wicket hauls a record 13 times. Only Sri Lanka Muttiah Muralitharan came close to Waqar’s record but fell short as he managed only 10 five wickets haul during his one day international career comprising of 350 matches (almost a hundred more than what Waqar played).
6. Most four wicket hauls in one day internationals
A certain pacer from Pakistan didn’t leave much for other bowlers. As far as the record for the most wicket hauls goes a familiar names once again crops up, that of Waqar Younis. The Pakistani pacer claimed 27 four wicket hauls during his ODI career. Sri Lankan spin maestro Muttiah Murallitharan came short here as well with 25 four wicket hauls to his name.
7. Most wickets in T20 cricket
Retired Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi not only excelled with the bat in his hand but was also a match winning bowler. This is evident from the fact that the star all-rounder still has the most T20 international wickets to his name.
8. A 14 year old test debutant
Pakistan’s Hassan Raza holds the record for being the youngest test debutant in the history of the game. Raza was merely 14 years and 227 days old when he made his debut against Zimbabwe in 1996. Pakistan seems to trust its youngsters quite a lot judging from the fact that the next two youngest debutants after Raza are also Pakistanis, Mushtaq Muhammad and Aqib Javed.
9. First bowler to take 400 wickets in Tests and ODIs
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram who is regarded as one the best bowlers the game has ever seen holds the record to be the first ever player to claim 400 scalps in both test and one day internationals cricket.
