LEEDS: Pakistan spinner Ali Usman etched his name into the Headingley record books after becoming the first overseas spinner in 54 years to claim a five-wicket haul at the famous English venue.
Usman achieved the rare feat during Pakistan’s first Test against England, becoming the first visiting spinner since Australia’s Ashley Mallett in 1972 to take five wickets in a Test innings at Headingley.
The performance also marked Usman’s maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The Pakistan spinner reached the milestone by dismissing Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson during the latter stages of England’s first innings.
Brook denied century
Among Usman’s biggest wickets was Yorkshire batter Brook, who appeared set for a century on his home ground.
Brook struck 91 from just 93 deliveries before Usman brought his innings to an end, denying him a three-figure score at Headingley for the second successive year. Brook had previously fallen for 99 against India at the venue.
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Usman’s achievement stood out on a ground traditionally regarded as more favourable to seam and swing bowling than spin.
Joe Root and Jordan Cox were among the other England batters to make substantial contributions, but Usman continued to find breakthroughs as the innings progressed.
His five-for placed him alongside Mallett in a highly exclusive group of overseas spinners to have enjoyed significant success at Headingley.
The milestone also provided another notable moment in Usman’s emerging Test career and underlined his ability to make an impact in conditions not traditionally associated with spin bowling.
Although England went on to win the Test, Usman’s individual achievement remained a memorable landmark for Pakistan, ending a 54-year wait for an overseas spinner to take five wickets in an innings at Headingley.
