Cricket is a game that requires a combination of skills, and fielding is an essential component of it. Fielding is not just about saving runs, but it is also about taking catches that can turn the game in favour of the team. Pakistan is known for producing some of the best fielders in cricket history, and this is evident from the numerous catches they have taken in Test matches. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 most catches in a single Test match for Pakistan.
1. Taufeeq Umar
Taufeeq Umar took six catches against South Africa in Faisalabad on 24 October 2003. Taufeeq Umar played as a left-handed opening batsman. He made his international debut in 2001 and went on to represent Pakistan in 44 Test matches and 22 One Day Internationals. Umar was known for his solid technique and ability to bat for long periods of time.
2. Hanif Mohammad
Hanif took five catches against Australia in Melbourne on 4 December 1964. He was a legendary Pakistani cricketer, known as the "Little Master" for his batting prowess. He played for Pakistan in 55 Test matches and scored over 3,900 runs at an average of 43.98. He is best remembered for his marathon innings of 337 runs against the West Indies in 1958, which remains the longest in Test cricket history.
3. Majid Khan
Majid Khan also took five catches against Australia in Karachi on 27 February 1980. He played as an opening batsman and occasional leg-spinner. He played 63 Test matches for Pakistan and scored over 3,900 runs at an average of 38.92. He was also known for his exceptional fielding skills and took some stunning catches in his career.
4. Inzamam-Ul-Haq
Inzamam took five catches against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi on 9 December 1993. He played 120 Test matches and 378 One Day Internationals for Pakistan, scoring over 20,000 runs combined. He was known for his calm and composed demeanour on the field, as well as his ability to perform under pressure.
5. Wajahatullah Wasti
Wajahatullah took five catches against Sri Lanka in Dhaka on 12 March 1999. He played as an opening batsman in the 1990s. He played 5 Test matches and 8 One Day Internationals for Pakistan, scoring a total of 211 runs in international cricket. Wasti was known for his solid technique and patient approach to batting, but his international career was short-lived.
6. Shadab Kabir
Shadab took five catches against Bangladesh in Chattogram on 16 Jan 2002. He played as an opening batsman in the early 2000s. He played 10 One Day Internationals for Pakistan, scoring 200 runs at an average of 22.22. Kabir was known for his aggressive style of batting and was also a handy off-spinner. However, his international career was also short-lived and he retired from cricket in 2004.
7. Taufeeq Umar
Taufeeq once again took 5 catches against West Indies in Basseterre on 20 May 2011. He took some good catches in the outfield. He mostly fielded in the slip position and was known for his safe pair of hands. Umar was not known for his agility on the field, but he made up for it with his smart positioning and anticipation.
8. Younis Khan
Younis Khan also took 5 catches against West Indies in Bridgetown on 30 April 2017. Younis is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the country's history. He played 118 Test matches and 265 One Day Internationals for Pakistan, scoring over 17,000 runs combined. He was known for his elegant stroke-play and his ability to play long innings. Khan also served as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team.
9. Younis Khan
Younis Khan again made a record by taking 5 catches against England in Dubai on 22 October on 2015. Younis was a skilled fielder during his cricket career, known for his athleticism and agility on the field. He often fielded in the slip position and took some remarkable catches throughout his career. His most memorable catch was a one-handed diving catch to dismiss Rahul Dravid in a Test match against India in 2006.
10. W Mathias
W Mathias took 4 catches against West Indies in Bridgetown on 17 Jan 1958. Wallis played as a wicketkeeper-batsman and occasional spinner. He played 21 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring over 800 runs and taking 52 wickets. Mathias was a key member of the Pakistan team that won their first Test series in England in 1954. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 61.
