South Africa Spinner Achieves Record Seven-for Against Pakistan Joining Exclusive Asia Club Alongside Australian Legend
Keshav Maharaj achieved a remarkable feat during the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, held in Rawalpindi. The South African spinner took an impressive 7 wickets for 102 runs, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Historic Performance by Keshav Maharaj
This victory places Maharaj in an elite group of bowlers. He becomes only the second non-Asian player to secure multiple seven-wicket hauls in Test matches in Asia. His earlier achievement in this category took place in 2018, where he recorded 9 wickets for 129 runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Details of the Match
- Match Location: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Pakistan Innings Total: 333 runs
- Top Pakistani Batters:
- Shan Masood – 87 runs
- Saud Shakeel – 66 runs
- Abdullah Shafique – 57 runs
Maharaj began his impressive spell by dismissing Babar Azam early on, a pivotal wicket as Pakistan was positioned 167 runs for the loss of two wickets at the time. Kagiso Rabada contributed by taking Mohammad Rizwan’s wicket, leaving Maharaj to dominate the Pakistan lineup.
His haul against Pakistan included dismissals of tailenders, with Sajid Khan scoring 5 runs and debutant Asif Afridi managing 4 runs. This performance marked Maharaj’s 12th five-wicket haul, placing him eighth among South African bowlers in this category.
Record-Making Seven-for
Maharaj shares the record for the most seven-wicket hauls among South African bowlers with Hugh Tayfield, who also has four. Furthermore, he set a new record for the best first-innings figures by a visiting spinner in Pakistan, surpassing his teammate Senuran Muthusamy’s previous record of 6-117.
Comparison with Legends
Nathan Lyon holds the record for the most wickets by a visiting bowler in Asia, with 139 Test wickets at an average of 27.49. He has managed seven or more wickets in an innings four times during his career in Asia.
Maharaj’s performance not only cements his place in cricket history but also emphasizes the growing talent of spinners in international cricket. His exceptional skills continue to enhance his standing among the cricket elite.
