Mohammad Abbas reaches 900 first-class wickets with Lord's masterclass against England
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas achieved a career milestone with his 900th first-class wicket during a four-wicket haul at Lord's in the second Test against England, joining elite company among 21st-century bowlers.
Mohammad Abbas reaches 900 first-class wickets with Lord's masterclass against England
Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas carved his name into cricket's record books at Lord's on August 27, 2026, reaching 900 first-class wickets during a commanding performance against England in the second Test of the ongoing series.
The 36-year-old from Sialkot needed just two wickets to reach the landmark and wasted little time in claiming them. Abbas first dismissed Emilio Gay for eight before removing Ben Duckett for 17 to become the fifth bowler of the 21st century to reach 900 first-class wickets. He continued his relentless spell to finish with figures of 4 for 56 from 15 overs, including three maidens, as England closed the day on 248 for 9.
Abbas reached the milestone in his 222nd first-class match, with his remarkable career spanning 57 five-wicket hauls and an average marginally above 20. The achievement at the home of cricket, Lord's Cricket Ground, adds particular significance to the moment at a venue that has hosted 147 Test matches since 1884.
Elite company in modern cricket
The milestone places Abbas fifth among the leading first-class wicket-takers of the 21st century. England's James Anderson tops the list with 1,181 wickets, having become the first player to reach 1,000 first-class wickets after making his debut in the 21st century when he achieved that milestone in 2021. South Africa's Simon Harmer follows with 1,056, Sri Lanka's Malinda Pushpakumara has 1,010, and Ireland's Tim Murtagh sits fourth with 959.
Abbas's journey to this achievement reflects both persistence and resilience. Born on March 10, 1990, in Sialkot, Punjab, he comes from humble origins, having worked in a leather factory, done welding work, and served as a helper in a law firm before establishing his cricket career. His breakthrough came when the International Cricket Council named him one of the five breakout stars in men's cricket in 2018.
Career resurgence after setback
The road to 900 wickets has not been without obstacles. Abbas lost his Pakistan Cricket Board central contract in July 2021 after failing to maintain his place in the national team. However, he made a successful comeback in December 2024 against South Africa, demonstrating the determination that has characterized his career.
His extensive experience in English conditions has clearly contributed to his success at Lord's. Abbas has played county cricket for multiple teams, earning county caps at Leicestershire between 2018 and 2019, and at Hampshire from 2021 to 2024. He joined Nottinghamshire in 2025, where he finished the domestic season with 807 first-class wickets and 49 five-wicket hauls, before moving to Derbyshire for the 2026 Championship season.
In Test cricket, Abbas has represented Pakistan in 32 matches, taking 123 wickets at an impressive average of 22.84, including seven five-wicket hauls. His international career has been built almost entirely around the longest format, with just three ODI appearances yielding one wicket and no T20I caps for Pakistan.
Pakistan's fast bowling legacy
Abbas's achievement continues Pakistan's storied tradition of producing world-class fast bowlers. The nation has been historically renowned for its pace attack, with legendary names including Wasim Akram, who claimed 916 wickets across formats, Waqar Younis with 789 wickets, and former captain Imran Khan with 544 wickets. Under Khan's leadership, Pakistan secured their first Test victory at Lord's in 1982, ending a 28-year wait since their first tour of England in 1954.
The current Test match forms part of the Pakistan tour of England in August and September 2026, a three-Test series that counts toward the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. Pakistan will be eager to respond after England won the first Test at Leeds by an innings and 103 runs.
Known more for accuracy and movement than raw pace, Abbas has built his career on consistency and skill with the red ball. Reaching 900 first-class wickets at Lord's, and doing so as part of a four-wicket haul against England, adds another memorable chapter to a remarkable journey from the workshops of Sialkot to the honor boards of international cricket.
