On February 7, 1999, Anil Kumble took all ten Pakistani second-innings wickets — 10 for 74 in 26.3 overs — to become only the second bowler in Test history to claim a 'Perfect Ten' after Jim Laker (1956). India won by 212 runs.
Pakistan had drawn the previous Test in Chennai by 12 runs after Sachin Tendulkar's 136 fell short. The Delhi Test had originally been scheduled for Mumbai but was moved when Shiv Sena activists dug up the Wankhede pitch in protest at Pakistan touring.
India batted first 252, then bowled Pakistan out for 172 (Kumble 4/75). India 339 in second innings (Sourav Ganguly 62, Sadagoppan Ramesh 96). Pakistan needed 420; openers Anwar and Afridi made 101.
It was a tense Test in a tense series — Pakistan's first tour of India in 12 years, with security threats forcing Test venues to be moved. India set Pakistan 420 to win and the visitors started smoothly: Saeed Anwar 69, Shahid Afridi 41, opening stand of 101. Then Kumble bowled. Afridi was caught at slip by Mongia. Anwar ran himself out — but came back: Kumble had Anwar caught at short-leg by Laxman. By tea Pakistan were 128 for 4 and Kumble had four. Through the long evening session Kumble bowled the same line, leg-stump-and-middle, with subtle variations of length. Inzamam, Yousuf, Moin Khan, Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain all fell to him — most caught at short-leg or bat-pad. With Pakistan 198 for 9, Javagal Srinath was deliberately bowling wide and short to Wasim Akram so that Kumble would not be denied. Wasim was caught at gully by VVS Laxman off Kumble. 10 for 74. India won by 212 runs.
Lunch day 4: Pakistan 95/0
Afridi caught Mongia b Kumble — wicket 1
Anwar caught Laxman b Kumble — wicket 2
Tea: Pakistan 128/4 (Kumble 4 for 32)
Inzamam, Yousuf, Moin, Malik, Mushtaq, Saqlain all fall to Kumble
9th wicket: Srinath deliberately bowls wide so Kumble can complete the ten
Wasim Akram caught Laxman b Kumble — 10/74
February 4, 1999 — Day 1
India 252 all out.
February 5-6, 1999
Pakistan 172 (Kumble 4/75); India 339 in 2nd innings.
February 7, 1999 — morning
Pakistan 95/0 at lunch.
February 7, 1999 — tea
Pakistan 128/4, Kumble 4/32.
February 7, 1999 — evening
Pakistan 207 all out — Kumble 26.3-9-74-10.
“I just kept bowling the same areas. The wickets came at the other end too — credit to Srinath for being smart enough to stop them coming.”
“I was just trying not to get him out. We knew Anil was on history.”
India levelled the series 1-1. Kumble was named Player of the Match for combined match figures of 14/149. The Feroz Shah Kotla scoreboard was preserved in the Anil Kumble Pavilion later named in his honour. The match-ball is in the Bangalore home of Kumble; the Pakistan team signed it.
The most extraordinary individual bowling performance in Indian Test history. Forty-three years after Jim Laker, Kumble joined an exclusive club of two.
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1932-06-16
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1933-02-14
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