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Mohammad Abbas Joins List Of Pakistan Legends With Special First-Class Landmark

Soumyajit Dutta

Mohammad Abbas joins Pakistan legends in epic list [Source: @ILIRISH_/X.com]Mohammad Abbas joins Pakistan legends in epic list [Source: @ILIRISH_/X.com]

Veteran paceman Mohammad Abbas etched his name among Pakistan's bowling royalty on July 30, becoming just the fifth fast bowler from his country to claim 800 first-class wickets. The landmark moment arrived during Nottinghamshire's County Championship clash against Somerset at Trent Bridge.

Abbas achieved this feat in remarkable fashion, needing fewer matches than any of his legendary predecessors. His remarkable spell not only anchored Notts' attack but propelled him into an exclusive club alongside Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Sarfaraz Nawaz, and Waqar Younis – cementing his status as one of Pakistan's most prolific and efficient red-ball operators. Let's take a look at the detailed list.

4 . Mohammad Abbas & Waqar Younis - 800 wickets

Waqar Younis, the "Toe Crusher" and "Banana Swing Bowler", was known for his lethal pace, pinpoint yorkers, and mastery of reverse swing. The deadly pacer completed his 800-wicket haul in first-class cricket in 228 matches. Waqar Younis impressed in First-Class cricket with standout spells like 7/25 for Glamorgan in 1997 and 113 wickets for Surrey in 1991 while playing County cricket. 

Sharing Younis' legacy, 35-year-old Mohammad Abbas now joins him in the tally with 8-00 wickets but in 198 matches. Abbas reached his 800th first-class wicket in a County clash between Somerset and Nottingham. Playing for Nottingham, Abbas etched his milestone by clean-bowling Somerset captain Lewis Gregory for a golden duck on Day 1. He then removed Josh Davey and Tom Lammonby, finishing with 3/49 to cement his place among the legends.

3 . Sarfraz Nawaz - 956 wickets

Sarfraz Nawaz, the original master of reverse swing, was a true game-changer in First-Class cricket. Known for his steep bounce and lethal late swing, he delivered unforgettable spells like 9/86 vs Australia in 1979 (7 wickets for 1 run in 33 balls!), 6/89 vs West Indies in 1974, and 5/39 at Headingley in 1978. 

Finishing with 956 wickets from his 299 first-class matches and including 46 five-wicket hauls, Sarfraz left a lasting legacy as one of Pakistan’s most effective pacers.

2 . Wasim Akram - 1,042 wickets

Wasim Akram, famously known as the "Sultan of Swing," left an unforgettable mark in First-Class cricket with his incredible pace, swing, and reverse swing mastery. One of his best innings performances came with figures of 8/30, showcasing his ability to single-handedly destroy batting line-ups. His best match figures, 16 wickets for 118 runs, highlight his endurance and skill across both innings. 

Akram was also a force in English County cricket, playing for Lancashire from 1988 to 1998, where he regularly outclassed top batters. Akram’s First-Class career ended with a stunning 1,042 wickets from 257 matches at an average of 21.64, including 70 five-wicket hauls and 16 ten-wicket match performances.

1 . Imran Khan - 1,287 wickets

Imran Khan, one of Pakistan's greatest cricketers, enjoyed an extraordinary First-Class career as a fearsome fast bowler and a dependable all-rounder. He was known for his blistering pace early in his career and his ability to swing the ball both ways. 

His best First-Class innings figures of 8/30 demonstrate his knack for dismantling batting orders. Even more impressive were his match figures of 16/118, highlighting his stamina and control over long spells. Over his First-Class career, he picked up 1,287 wickets from 382 matches at an average of 22.32, with 70 five-wicket hauls and 13 ten-wicket match hauls.