Which Pakistani bowler has the most wickets in a test innings?

Pakistan is the nation which has produced some of the most impressive bowlers in the history of cricket. There have been many Pakistani bowlers who have proved to be nightmares for opposition batters. There have been multiple fast bowlers like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who have a lot of bowling records to their name.

In this article, we look at the Pakistani bowlers with the most wickets in an innings in tests. For a more detailed look at who was better among Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in test cricket check out our article.

Pakistani bowler with the most wickets in a test innings

Abdul Qadir and Sarfaraz Ahmed have a record for taking the most wickets in a test innings for a Pakistani bowler. Sarfaraz achieved the feat first in Melbourne against Australia in 1979. Qadir achieved the feat eight years later in Lahore against England. The veteran leg-spinner has the better bowling figures among the two with 9 for 56 while Sarfaraz has 9 for 86.

Abdul Qadir (9/56)

Abdul Qadir has the best bowling figures for a Pakistani bowler in test cricket. The legendary leg-spinner was one of the best bowlers produced in Pakistan. Amidst all the legendary fast bowlers, Qadir was one of the best leg spinners of his time. Qadir took nine wickets against England during an England tour of Pakistan in 1987 in Lahore. Mike Gatting, the English skipper won the toss and decided to bat first.

Qadir took nine wickets and dismissed opener, Graham Gooch, Tim Robinson, Mike Gatting and Bill Athey. Off-spinner, Tauseef Ahmed dismissed David Capel. Qadir then the other five wickets including Phil DeFreitas, John Emburey, Chris Broad, Neil Foster and Nick Cook.

The veteran leg spinner took four more wickets in the third innings to win the Player of the Match award as Pakistan defeated England by an innings and 87 runs.

Sarfaraz Nawaz (9/86)

Eight years before Qadir took 9/56, Sarfaraz Nawaz took 9/86 against Australia in Melbourne. It is seldom a list is made about bowling records without featuring a Pakistani fast bowler. He was one of the pioneers of reverse swing with Imran Khan and when he was playing you could always put your money on him being among the wickets. When putting money on cricket matches you must bet on cricket with the biggest cricket betting provider - 10CRIC.

Australian skipper, Graham Yallop won the toss and decided to bowl first. The visitors were bowled out for a paltry score of 196 runs. Australia in reply were bowled out for 168 runs with Imran Khan taking four wickets. Majid Khan scored a century in the third innings as Pakistan declared after scoring 353 runs giving Australia a target of 382 runs.

In the fourth innings, Sarfaraz produced one of the best bowling spells in Pakistan’s cricket history. Sarfaraz dismissed Dav Whatmore and Andrew Hilditch. Skipper, Yallop was run out after scoring just eight runs. Allan Border scored a century and was bowled by Sarfaraz. The right-arm pacer then went on to dismiss Graeme Wood and Peter Sleep for ducks. He dismissed Kim Hughes who scored 84 runs. The last three players, Wayne Clark, Rodney Hogg and Alan Hurst were dismissed for ducks by Sarfaraz.