Saeed Ajmal recorded his best bowling performance in Test cricket by taking five for 69 in 33 overs in West Indies’ first innings on the second day of the first Test match at Providence Stadium, Guyana on Friday. The right-arm off-break bowler from Faisalabad also became only the fourth Pakistani spinner and ninth bowler overall to take five or more wickets in an innings against West Indies in West Indies.
The other Pakistani spinners to achieve this feat were Mushtaq Mohammed (five for 28 at Port of Spain in 1976-77), Danish Kaneria (five for 46 at Kingston in 2005-05) and Saqlain Mushtaq (five for 121 at Brigetown in 1999-2000). Saaed Ajmal’s previous best in Test cricket was five for 82 against England at Birmingham in August 2010.
Mohammed Hafeez also recorded his best bowling in Test cricket by taking two for 22. His previous best bowling was two for 31 against New Zealand at Wellington in January 2011.
All 11 batsmen hit at least one four in the West Indian innings. It was the first instance when all 11 batsmen smashed fours in an innings against Pakistan in Tests.