Indian domestic cricket is full of surprises. In a Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Jharkhand and Rajasthan, Shahbaz Nadeem has registered all-time best bowling figures in List A cricket (including domestic and international 50 over games). Nadeem took 8 wickets for just 10 runs to enter his name on the top of record books.
The left-arm spinner rushed through the Rajasthan batting lineup. He broke the backbone of the team by not only taking 8 wickets but by bowling four maiden overs. Surprisingly, he bowled his full quota of 10 overs and gave just 10 runs from it. His economy rate was as low as 1 run per over.
Here’s how the list looks like now:
Shahbaaz Nadeem (India) – 8 for 10
Rahul Sanghvi (India) – 8 for 15
Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka, ODI) 8 for 19
Tharaka Kottehewa (Sri Lanka) – 8 for 20
Michael Holding (West Indies) – 8 for 21
At one point, Nadeem was on his way to creating history and become first bowler to take 9 wickets in a List A game but Anukul Roy picked up the wickets of tailenders to wrap up Rajasthan’s innings for a mere 73.
10 overs 4 maidens 10 runs and 8 wickets. Shahbaz Nadeem now holds the record of best figures in List-A cricket. Always rated him highly….but you could’ve spared my former team-Rajasthan. Well bowled….more power to you
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 20, 2018
The 29-year-old is yet to get his maiden national call-up. Though he was pretty optimistic about making it to the international level. He told TOI,
“Only thing I have to do is continue performing and keep taking wickets. That is what I have to concentrate on. To play for India, just performing alone isn’t enough. You have to see whether the place you are fighting for is empty. There are many players who have taken dozens of wickets in domestic cricket but haven’t got a chance to play for the country. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen with me,”
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Nadeem has been playing Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2011. In IPL 2018 auction, he was roped in by Delhi Daredevils for a whopping Rs 3.2 crore. The competition for the spot of a spinner is tough in the national side with the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel already in the squad. Nadeem might have just got selectors’ attention with his record-breaking spell in Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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