Bowlers play a crucial role in Test cricket and it is often said that bowlers win Test matches. Pakistan, who have produced some of the best bowlers in cricket, have also won many matches just because of their bowlers. Today we shall name some of Pakistan’s bowlers with the most five wicket-hauls in Test cricket.
1. Wasim Akram
The first player to feature on our list is Wasim Akram, the left-arm fast bowler for Pakistan. Akram was a new ball bowler for Pakistan and a deadly bowler in the death overs as well. His skills at swinging the ball were unmatched during his time. In 104 Tests, he took 414 wickets, with 25 five-wicket hauls to his name.
2. Imran Khan
Next on the list we have one of Pakistan’s finest products in cricket and one of the most attractive players of his time, Imran Khan. Imran was in the Pakistani Test team from 1971 to 1992 and featured in 88 matches. In 142 innings, he took 362 wickets, the third highest for Pakistan in Test cricket, with 23 five-wicket-hauls to his name.
3. Waqar Younis
Next, we have Waqar Younis, a right-arm fast medium bowler from Vehari, Punjab, and master of the art of reverse swinging the ball. From 1989 until 2003, he was part of the Pakistani Test team in 87 matches. He amassed 373 wickets, second only to Wasim Akram, including 22 five-wicket hauls and a best of 7 for 76 in an innings.
4. Yasir Shah
Yasir Shah, one of Pakistan’s premier leg-spinners in the longest format of the game in the last decade, is next to feature on our list. Since 2014, Yasir has played in 48 matches, picking up 244 wickets in 89 innings at an average of 31.38. He has 16 five-wicket-hauls to his name till now.
5. Danish Kaneria
Danish Kaneria, another leg-break bowler for Pakistan, is next to appear on our list. Danish is only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan. From 2000 to 2010, he featured in 61 Test matches and picked up 261 wickets at an average of 34.79, including 15 five-wicket-hauls. He has a best figure of seven for 77 in an innings.
6. Abdul Qadir
Abdul Qadir, one of Pakistan’s premier leg spinners during the 80s, is next on the list. Abdul hailed from Lahore, Punjab, and played his first Test in 1977 against England at Lahore. Until 1990, he played in 67 matches and took 236 wickets at an average of 32.80. He got 15 five wicket-hauls to his name with a best bowling figure of 9 for 56 in an innings.
7. Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq was a right-arm off-break bowler for Pakistan who was a master at bowling the "doosra". Saqlain made his Test debut in 1995 against Sri Lanka at Peshawar and played Test cricket until 2004. In 49 Test matches, he picked up 208 wickets with 13 five wicket-hauls to his name and the best figure of 8 for 164 in an innings.
8. Fazal Mahmood
Fazal Mahmood was a right-arm fast medium bowler from Lahore, Punjab during the 60s. Fazal played his first Test in 1952 against India at Delhi. In 34 Test matches until 1962, he picked up 139 wickets at an average of 24.70, including 13 five-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures in an innings are seven wickets for 42 runs.
9. Shoaib Akhtar
Next on the list is Shoaib Akhtar, the Rawalpindi Express and the world’s fastest bowler. Akhtar played his first Test in 1997 against the West Indies and was part of the Pakistani Test team until 2007. In the 46 matches he played, he took 178 wickets at an average of 25.69, with 12 five-wicket-hauls to his name.
10. Saeed Ajmal
Number ten on our list is Saeed Ajmal, the right-arm off-break bowler from Faisalabad, Punjab. Ajmal was great with his variations and mystery and could deceive the best of the batters. From 2009 to 2014, he played in 35 Test matches and picked up 178 wickets at an average of 28.10 with ten fifers to his name.
