On February 07, 1999 at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla Anil Kumble picked 10/74 against Pakistan to become only the second bowler in the history of the game to pick all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match. It has been 20 years since Kumble achieved the ‘perfect 10’ of cricket. Before Kumble, it was England’s off-break bowler Jim Laker, who achieved the feat in 1956 against rivals Australia.
As of now, Laker and Kumble are the only two bowlers in the history of Test cricket to have scalped ten wickets in an innings. While Laker’s 10/53 came in 51.2 overs, Kumble managed to achieve the feat in just 26.3 overs. Watch Video: Rex Rajkumar Singh Picks Up 10 Wickets in an Innings, Reminds Us Of Anil Kumble's Spell (10/74) Against Pakistan.
It was the second Test of the two-match series and India came into the match having conceded a 0-1 lead at Chennai. After securing a first innings lead of 80 runs, India set Pakistan an improbable target of 420 on day four of the Delhi Test. Pakistan responded positively with openers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi putting on a century stand.
Here's the video of Anil Kumble's 10 wickets vs Pakistan
Kumble then provided his side with the breakthrough and ended up running through the Pakistan batting order. Afridi was Kumble’s first victim and on next ball, he had Ijaz Ahmed trapped leg before wickets to leave Pakistan at 101/2. CK Nayudu Trophy U-23: Sidak Singh Snaps 10 Wickets in an Inning; Emulates Anil Kumble’s Record.
Few overs later Kumble removed Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf in same over as Pakistan slumped to 115/4. The spinner then had Moin Khan caught to complete his five-wicket haul as Pakistan lost half the side.
Kumble the further dented Pakistan by removing Anwar, who scored 69. Saleem Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Wasim Akram were Kumble’s seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth victims respectively as Pakistan were bowled out for 207 runs. The victory helped India draw level in the series.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 07, 2019 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).