TAROUBA: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has surpassed former captain Imran Khan to register the best bowling average by a Pakistani pace bowler in Test cricket among bowlers with at least 100 wickets.
Abbas achieved the milestone during the third day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. After taking three wickets in the hosts’ first innings, he struck early in the second innings by dismissing Brandon King, Keacy Carty, and Justin Greaves.
The three wickets improved Abbas’ career Test bowling average to 22.69, eclipsing Imran Khan’s long-standing Pakistani record of 22.81.
Imran claimed 362 wickets in 88 Tests, while Abbas has now taken 116 wickets in 30 Test matches since making his debut against the West Indies in 2017.
Among Pakistani fast bowlers with at least 100 Test wickets, the best bowling averages are:
– Mohammad Abbas: 116 wickets in 30 Tests, average 22.69
– Imran Khan: 362 wickets in 88 Tests, average 22.81
– Waqar Younis: 373 wickets in 87 Tests, average 23.56
Abbas also became the sixth Pakistani fast bowler to claim 100 Test wickets in overseas matches, joining Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Mohammad Amir, and Umar Gul. He now holds the best overseas bowling average among that group.
At stumps on the third day, the West Indies were 126-7 in their second innings, leading Pakistan by 155 runs.
