Yasir Shah fastest to 200 scalps

Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah is the quickest bowler to take 200 wickets in test cricket history.

Shah had New Zealand batsman Will Somerville caught leg before wicket during the fourth day of the third and final test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium to achieve the feat in his 33rd match.

Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett held the previous record when he got his 200th wicket in his 36th test match while playing against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1936.

The 32-year-old Shah took seven wickets on debut against Australia at Dubai in 2014.

Shah also equaled Pakistan’s record of most wickets in a test match by claiming 14 wickets in the second test against New Zealand last week.

He has taken 114 of his 200 wickets on spin friendly wickets in the United Arab Emirates in 17 test matches. New Zealand remained on the back foot at lunch last night (NZ time) at 112-4 leading by just 38 runs overall.

A fighting stand between skipper Kane Williamson 55no) and Henry Nicholls (20no) halted Pakistan’s progress after Ross Taylor was removed for 22 from 14 balls. The previous day when Pakistan’s Azhar Ali (134) and Asad Shafiq (104) combined to put on 201 for the fourth wicket, New Zealand’s hopes became forlorn.

New Zealand off-spinner Will Somerville ended his first test innings with the ball with figures of 4-75 off 36 overs, bowling well to the tail. But the Black Caps then lost their openers cheaply before stumps to be 29-2.

❚ Cheteshwar Pujara defied Australia’s bowling attack and stifling conditions at the Adelaide Oval with a century on the opening day of the first test yesterday. India was in danger of being bowled out cheaply after reckless batting in the first two sessions, but Pujara scored 123 as India reached stumps at 250 for 9.

For the latest on the third test go to stuff.co.nz