DUBAI: Amidst the glorious uncertainties, which remain the haul mark of Pakistan Cricket Team, leg-spinner Yasir Shah matched former captain and cricket legend Imran Khan’s record of most wickets in a single test game by any Pakistani bowler and of third-best performance in the history of international cricket.
Sending almost the entire Kiwi side back to pavilion in the first innings, Shah took six more wickets in the second innings taking his total to 14, equalizing the record made by Imran Khan.
Khan, while playing a home series against New Zealand in 1976, took his first 10-wicket haul, sending 14 players back to the pavilion.
The record of most wickets in a single test match is currently held by former English cricketer Jim Laker who took 19 wickets against arch-rival Australia in 1956. Laker was also the first bowler to take all 10 wickets in a test match.
Meanwhile, Twitterati were all praises for Yasir Shah.
International Cricket Council (ICC) took it to Twitter to praise the spinner.
Pakistan win by an innings and 16 runs!
Yasir Shah follows his first innings 8/41 with six wickets in the second. His match figures of 14/184 are the best ever by a Pakistani spin bowler ??#PAKvNZ LIVE ⬇https://t.co/sHrmQnbNyn pic.twitter.com/Ie5adJboBV
— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2018
Leg-spinner also received a special mention by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
OUT! Yasir has 14 (his best-ever match haul in Tests. Third-best by any leg-spinner in the history of Test cricket) and Pakistan have levelled the series at 1-1.
Boult c Sarfraz b Yasir Shah 0(2). New Zealand: 312-all out (112.5 ov). Scorecard: https://t.co/XjNvpergqL #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/uPbDtCEep2— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) November 27, 2018
Former speed gun Shoaib Akhtar also complimented Yasir Shah through a video message.
Congratulations PAK team thoroughly deserve it ..
Well done yasir Shah what a amazing spell by you.. pic.twitter.com/9yrZsd11UH— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 27, 2018
Cricket statistician Mazher Arshad was impressed as well.
Yasir Shah (12-178) is first Pakistan bowler to take 12 wickets in a Test in 17 years.
Imran Khan (14-116) holds the Pakistan record. Yasir will need to take remaining three wickets after tea to break the record. #PakvNZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 27, 2018
Cricket website ESPNcricinfo also congratulated Yasir Shah.
Yasir Shah becomes only the second Pakistan bowler to take 14 wickets in a Test as the hosts level the series with an emphatic win! https://t.co/KnyawS9TmV #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/0vK8OO86iw
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 27, 2018