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Saqlain Mushtaq, most wickets in a calendar year
Pakistani cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq holds the world record of taking most wickets in a calendar year. His 69 wickets in 1997 is still a world record in ODIs.
Saqlain was magical when he was at his peak as he also holds the record of second most wickets in a calendar year with 65 wickets in 1996. Thus Saqlain Mushtaq also holds the record of most wickets in two consecutive years, 1996 and 1997.
Most wickets in a calendar year in One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| Player | Year | Mat | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 1997 | 36 | 314.2 | 17 | 1293 | 69 | 18.73 | 4.11 | 27.3 | 3 | 2 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 1996 | 33 | 289 | 12 | 1269 | 65 | 19.52 | 4.39 | 26.6 | 2 | 2 |
| Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 2013 | 33 | 306.3 | 15 | 1268 | 62 | 20.45 | 4.13 | 29.6 | 2 | 1 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1999 | 37 | 329.1 | 27 | 1443 | 62 | 23.27 | 4.38 | 31.8 | 2 | 0 |
| A Kumble (IND) | 1996 | 32 | 304.1 | 16 | 1235 | 61 | 20.24 | 4.06 | 29.9 | 3 | 0 |
Saqlain Mushtaq, The inventor of “Doosra”
Saqlain Mushtaq is widely regarded as one of the best spin bowlers of his generation. He made his debut for Pakistan in 1995 and went on to play for the national team for over a decade. Saqlain is widely credited with popularizing the “doosra,” a delivery that spins in the opposite direction of a traditional off-spinner. He is considered one of the greatest exponents of this delivery, and it has since become a staple in the arsenal of many spin bowlers around the world.
He took 208 Test and 288 ODI wickets and also scored a Test match century as well, against New Zealand in March 2001. Until 2016, Saqlain was the fastest bowler in the history of ODI cricket to take 100 wickets.
He achieved a career-best Test match bowling ranking of number two in the world in 1998, and he was ranked as the world’s top ODI bowler in 1999. In 1999, He was part of the Pakistani team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup, where he played a crucial role in the team’s success, taking 17 wickets in the tournament. He also played a vital role in Pakistan’s historic Test series win against England in England in 1996 and took a hat trick in One day match against Zimbabwe in 1996-97.
During his career, Saqlain was known for his accurate and consistent bowling, as well as his ability to take wickets in crucial moments of the game. Despite his early retirement from the game, Saqlain’s contributions to cricket will be remembered for many years to come and he will always be considered one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time.
Overall, Saqlain Mushtaq is considered one of the most skillful and successful spin bowlers in the history of Pakistani cricket.
FAQs
What is Saqlain Mushtaq’s most notable achievement?
Saqlain Mushtaq is most known for being the inventor of the “Doosra” , a delivery that spins in the opposite direction of a traditional off-spinner, and being considered as one of the best exponents of this delivery. He also was part of the Pakistani team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1999, where he played a crucial role in the team’s success, taking 17 wickets in the tournament.
When did Saqlain Mushtaq retire from international cricket?
Saqlain Mushtaq retired from international cricket in 2003.
How many wickets did Saqlain Mushtaq take in his career?
Saqlain Mushtaq took 208 wickets in 49 Test matches and 288 wickets in 169 One day internationals in his career.
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