History made! The West Indies pacer pulled off an unprecedented Test performance against Pakistan

Screenplay by Justin Greaves Test History (Image Agency) Justin Greaves etched his name into the history of Test cricket with a sensational spell against Pakistan, becoming the first bowler in recorded Test history to take five consecutive wicket-maidens during the opening Test in Tarouba, Trinidad. The West Indies all-rounder produced a devastating burst on Day 3 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy to turn the match on its head after Pakistan looked to be in a good position in their first innings. Greaves finished with career-best figures of 5/27 from 11 overs, with all five wickets coming in five consecutive first overs without conceding a single run. It was also the 31-year-old’s first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Pakistan resumed the day with West Indies’ first innings total of 311 and looked set to build a strong reply through Shan Masood and Salman Agh. The pair safely negotiated the opening hour before Shamar Joseph broke the stand off the bowling of Agha. What followed was one of the most remarkable spells in recent Test history. Greaves dismissed centurion Shan Masood for 109 when the Pakistan batsman chopped the ball back onto his stumps. He then removed Aamer Jamal with a delivery that buzzed sharply before trapping Ali Usman leg-before for a duck in the very next over. Pakistan’s hopes rested with Mohammad Rizwan, but Greaves forced the bat from the wicket to flash a wide delivery, resulting in a lead. He completed his five-wicket haul in the first over after lunch when Mohammad Abbas nudged outside off-stump and was caught behind. The stunning burst triggered a dramatic collapse, with Pakistan losing five wickets in just 15 overs before eventually being bowled out for 282, giving the West Indies a 29-run lead in the first innings. Greaves’ performance surpassed the previous record of four consecutive wicket-maidens achieved by former England fast bowler Stuart Broad against South Africa in Johannesburg in January 2016. The spell not only marked Greaves’ first Test five, but also ensured his name entered the record books with a feat never before seen in available Test records.