Mohammad Abbas scripts history with six-fer in South Africa

On his international return, 34-year-old Mohammad Abbas scripted history, scalping a six-wicket haul and registering the best-ever figures for Pakistan in South Africa. The right-arm pacer picked up 6/43 against South Africa in the Boxing Day clash at Centurion to put Pakistan in a pole position to win the first Test.

Abbas was on fire on day three when he picked up the wickets of Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs to leave South Africa rattled at 19/3. While South Africa started strong on the fourth day, Abbas’ efforts with the ball yielded fruit, removing Aiden Markram with a brute of a delivery that swung back in. 

When Temba Bavuma joined forces with David Bedingham, a win was far away from Pakistan’s sights before Abbas’ magical spell blew the Proteas' lower order to smithereens to register a unique five-wicket haul in South Africa.

Read: Bavuma walks off despite being not-out

Abbas (34 years 291 days) also became the second-oldest Pakistani pacer to pick up a five-wicket haul after Imran Khan (35 years 180 days), beating Wasim Akram (34 years 11 days). 

His six-wicket haul are the best-ever figures for a Pakistani bowler in South Africa at the time of writing, with the second-best figures being Akram’s 6/78 in Gqeberha back in 1998. What was stunning was that Abbas bowled 17 overs in a single spell that ran through two days without a change. 

Best figures for Pakistan in South Africa

Mohammad Abbas - 6/43, Centurion, 2024*

Waqar Younis - 6/78, Gqeberha, 1998

Mushtaq Ahmed - 6/78, Durban, 1998

Saeed Ajmal - 6/96, Cape Town, 2013

Rahat Ali - 6/127, Centurion, 2013

South Africa find themselves in all kinds of trouble at 116/8 at the stroke of lunch, requiring 32 runs for a magical win.