Left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib breaks Bangladesh record for best bowling figures in first-class cricket

Saqlain Sajib (Image Courtesy – Bangladesh Cricket Board)

25-year-old left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib broke the Bangladesh record for best bowling figures in a first-class innings with his 9/82 for Bangladesh A on Sunday. In the first of the two unofficial Test matches against Zimbabwe A, the Asian bettered compatriot Abdur Razzak’s 9/84 registered in their country’s National Cricket League in 2012/13.

The record-breaking spell helped the home side dismiss the touring Zimbabweans for 206. At the end of day 1, the openers had already reduced the deficit by 30 runs. Coming on as the first-change bowler, Saqib applied brakes on the visitor’s innings by removing opener Tino Mawoyo with 42 on board.

He came back after lunch to send back the No.3 batsman Brian Chari that initiated the collapse. Controversial cricketer Mark Vermeulen was soon dismissed for 8 before skipper Vusi Sibanda made the long walk back for a valuable 62. The bowler consumed Tinotenda Mutombodzi for a duck to register his 15th five-wicket haul in first-class matches before off-spinner Farhad Hossain became the only other bowler to be amongst the wickets.

Regis Chakabva (64) and Wellington Masakadza’s 8th wicket stand lasted for more than 20 overs before Sajib broke the 65-run partnership. Chakabva continued the fight with the 10th man Kudakwashe Munyede before Sajib closed out the innings to claim the record.

The cricketer is yet to make his debut for his national team, but has a great first-class record to his name. Having played 52 matches before the ongoing one against Zimbabwe, the spinner has taken 229 wickets at an average of 21.70 from 52 matches.