LONDON: Mohammad Abbas reached 900 wickets in first-class cricket on Thursday after striking twice early for Pakistan against England in the second Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The 36-year-old fast bowler reached the landmark after dismissing England openers Emilio Gay and Ben Duckett. Abbas finished the sequence with 901 first-class wickets from 222 matches, according to the figures provided.
Gay made eight before wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan caught him down the leg side. Abbas then trapped Duckett lbw for 17 off 20 balls to cross the 900-wicket mark.
The milestone placed Abbas among Pakistan’s leading first-class fast bowlers. Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan leads the list with 1,287 wickets from 382 matches, followed by Wasim Akram with 1,042 and Sarfaraz Nawaz with 1,005.
Waqar Younis took 956 first-class wickets in 228 matches, leaving Abbas next on the list with 901.
Abbas made his Test debut for Pakistan in 2017. He has taken 119 wickets in 31 Tests at an average of 22.84, including seven five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul.
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Among active Test players, Abbas trails James Anderson, Simon Harmer and Malinda Pushpakumara in first-class wickets, while remaining ahead of Nathan Lyon’s 864.
