After 11 Tests: Yasir on top against world's best leggies

Most wickets, best average, best strike rate - Yasir Shah for you

Pakistan's new-found front-line spinner, the leggie Yasir Shah, was one of the heroes for Pakistan’s in their thrilling win in the second Test against England that ended in Dubai last Monday.

Yasir bagged eight wickets in the match to further enhance his reputation as a world class leg-spinner. After 11 Tests the right-armer has snared 69 wickets — the most by a spinner after 11 outings.



Yasir might have a long journey ahead of him but he surely is on his way to emulate some of the world's best leg-spinning greats.

The Express Tribune is presenting a breakdown of his tally after 11 Tests and the comparison of his achievements at this juncture of the career with four leading leg-spinners in history.



The comparison includes two Australians; Shane Warne and Richie Benaud, Indian Anil Kumble and Pakistani Danish Kaneria - the four leading wicket-takers in the longest format.

Yasir Shah

PHOTO: AFP

After 11 Tests, the 29-year-old has collected a rich haul of 69 wickets at an average of 24.55 runs per wicket. His strike rate is a phenomenal 48.7 balls per wicket while the wicket tally includes four five-wicket hauls. Yasir is yet to collect a ten-for in Tests.

Shane Warne

PHOTO: AFP

After 11 Tests, the 23-year-old Warne had collected 31 wickets at an average of 30.80 runs per wickets. His strike rate was 72.2 while the wickets tally included a solitary five-for achieved against the West Indies.

Anil Kumble

PHOTO: AFP

After 11 Tests, the 23-year-old Kumble had collected 53 wickets at a highly impressive average of 24.66 runs per wicket. His strike rate was 70.3 while wickets tally included three five-wicket hauls. His first ten-wicket haul in a match was yet to come.

Danish Kaneria

PHOTO: AFP

Kaneria — the leading wicket-taker among Pakistan spinners in Test cricket — had collected 40 scalps in his first 11 Tests, he was 23 at that time. His bowling average was 25.00 per wicket while he was taking a wicket every 51.7 balls. The right-armer had collected four fifers and a single ten-wicket haul in a match at this juncture.

Richie Benaud

PHOTO COURTESY: ESPNCRICINFO

After 11 Tests, 24 year old Benaud had collected 18 wickets at an average of 36.77 runs per wicket. His strike rate was 95.6 and the right armer was yet to collect an innings five for or a ten wicket match haul.