Justin Greaves sets new cricket bowling record with five wicket maiden

West Indies paceman Justin Greaves achieved an unprecedented milestone in Test cricket on Monday, becoming the first bowler in the recorded era to claim wickets across five straight maiden overs. Playing in his 17th Test match, the 32-year-old Barbadian delivered the historic performance during the opening Test against Pakistan at Tarouba, finishing with match figures of 5-27.

Greaves' spell proved decisive in the World Test Championship contest. Pakistan had appeared to be in a commanding position at 244-3, with opener Shan Masood having compiled a century. However, Greaves triggered a dramatic collapse, dismissing Masood for 109 before striking in consecutive maiden overs to remove Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, and Mohammad Rizwan without conceding a run. By lunch, Pakistan had deteriorated to 267-8.

After the interval, Greaves completed the historic achievement by having Mohammad Abbas caught behind, securing his five-wicket haul from five successive maiden overs. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 282, leaving them trailing by 29 runs on first innings after West Indies had posted 311.

Greaves surpassed the previous record of four consecutive wicket maidens, which had been established by former England fast bowler Stuart Broad against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2016. Following his performance, Greaves credited his captain Roston Chase's guidance and expressed satisfaction with his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, though he acknowledged significant work remained in the match. West Indies held an overall lead of 155 runs heading into the fourth day after Pakistan reduced them to 126-7 in their second innings by stumps.