Pakistan’s rich fast-bowling legacy isn’t just built on international wickets — it stretches deep into the heart of English county cricket, where several legends have left a mark. And in recent years, Mohammad Abbas has quietly joined that conversation with a phenomenal county record of his own.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how Pakistani fast bowlers have fared across counties over the decades, and where Abbas stands in that list:
Wasim Akram – 394 wickets in County Championship
Mostly for Lancashire, he was not just a wicket-taker but a game-changer. Reverse swing, left-arm angle, and match-winning spells made him a crowd favourite. He also picked up 20 wickets for Hampshire later in his career.
Waqar Younis – 351 wickets, including a freakish season
Waqar’s time at Surrey was particularly explosive — 113 wickets in 1991 alone, averaging just 14 that season! That remains one of the most memorable county campaigns by a fast bowler.
Imran Khan – 537 wickets in total
Imran balanced batting and bowling, but his record with Sussex is outstanding: 409 wickets at under 20. He played long seasons and helped mentor younger county players — a proper all-round influence.
And now… Mohammad Abbas.
Often underappreciated in Pakistan, Abbas has quietly built one of the most consistent fast-bowling records in county cricket over the past few years.
264 wickets overall
180 wickets for Hampshire at 19.3
Started with Leicestershire – 79 wickets at 20.7, with five 5-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match
On debut for Nottinghamshire, took a 5-fer — against his former side Hampshire!
Has recently overtaken Azhar Mahmood’s 250 county wickets, becoming one of Pakistan’s most successful pacers in the English circuit.
Why is this important?
County cricket is a grind — long spells, green tops early in the season, and flat tracks in the middle. To consistently average under 20 over so many games speaks volumes about Abbas’s skill and control.
He may not have the express pace of Wasim or Waqar, but he’s shown that accuracy, seam movement, and patience can still be lethal in the English conditions.
Final Thoughts
Abbas might not get the headlines, but he’s certainly in elite company. With Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood among the names he's now statistically ahead of, it’s worth asking:
Is Abbas the most underrated Pakistani fast bowler of this generation and can he overtake Wasim Waqar and Imran?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how Pakistani fast bowlers have fared across counties over the decades, and where Abbas stands in that list:
Wasim Akram – 394 wickets in County Championship
Mostly for Lancashire, he was not just a wicket-taker but a game-changer. Reverse swing, left-arm angle, and match-winning spells made him a crowd favourite. He also picked up 20 wickets for Hampshire later in his career.
Waqar Younis – 351 wickets, including a freakish season
Waqar’s time at Surrey was particularly explosive — 113 wickets in 1991 alone, averaging just 14 that season! That remains one of the most memorable county campaigns by a fast bowler.
Imran Khan – 537 wickets in total
Imran balanced batting and bowling, but his record with Sussex is outstanding: 409 wickets at under 20. He played long seasons and helped mentor younger county players — a proper all-round influence.
And now… Mohammad Abbas.
Often underappreciated in Pakistan, Abbas has quietly built one of the most consistent fast-bowling records in county cricket over the past few years.
264 wickets overall 180 wickets for Hampshire at 19.3 Started with Leicestershire – 79 wickets at 20.7, with five 5-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match On debut for Nottinghamshire, took a 5-fer — against his former side Hampshire! Has recently overtaken Azhar Mahmood’s 250 county wickets, becoming one of Pakistan’s most successful pacers in the English circuit.Why is this important?
County cricket is a grind — long spells, green tops early in the season, and flat tracks in the middle. To consistently average under 20 over so many games speaks volumes about Abbas’s skill and control.
He may not have the express pace of Wasim or Waqar, but he’s shown that accuracy, seam movement, and patience can still be lethal in the English conditions.
Final Thoughts
Abbas might not get the headlines, but he’s certainly in elite company. With Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood among the names he's now statistically ahead of, it’s worth asking:
Is Abbas the most underrated Pakistani fast bowler of this generation and can he overtake Wasim Waqar and Imran?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
