There was a time when scoring runs for a lower-order batsman wasn’t as normalised as it has been lately. Technically the player batting at No. 8 was not considered a batsman as mostly they would be the bowlers who can swing the bat enough to stay at the crease and support their fellow partner.
Well, now times have changed. We have seen some magnificent innings hit by players who bat in the second half of the teams’ batting lineup.
Here in this article, we will focus on the No. 8 batters who scored pleasingly. Following is the list of batsmen with the highest score as a No.8 batsman in Test cricket.
#5 Mahmudullah (BAN) – 150* vs Zimbabwe (Harare, 2021)
Starting the list with Mahmudullah, one of the decent off-break bowling all-rounders Bangladesh has, at the 5th position. He had a great start to his Test debut. He couldn’t do much with the bat that day but was successful enough to take an eight-wicket haul, helping Bangladesh register its first overseas win in Test cricket.
But what stood out was his last Test match, when he produced a gem of an innings, scoring his highest score in Test cricket batting at No. 8. That knock against Zimbabwe had 17 boundaries and a six to make him reach 150*. Bangladesh won that match by 220 runs.
#4 Kamran Akmal (PAK) – 154 vs England (Lahore, 2005)
Next, we have Kamran Akmal, who had quite a good starting few years as an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman. However, he couldn’t replicate such a performance later in his career. He was known for his ability to do that lower-order miracle thing with his heroics. Many times his useful contributions helped Pakistan get over the line. One more thing to note about him was his incompetency being a wicketkeeper; his lack of good keeping skills cost him his place from being part of the team.
It was his maiden century in Test cricket, which we will focus on now. Coming in as No. 8 against England in his homeland, Kamran hit a well-composed, slow, yet valuable knock of 154. The innings included 17 boundaries and came at a patient rate of 63.63. Mohammad Yousuf, who had a dream year in 2006, showed a glimpse of what’s coming in the match that happened at the business end of 2005. The No. 4 batsman scored a double century, which helped Pakistan win that game by an innings and 100 runs.
#3 Jason Holder (WI) – 202* vs England (Bridgetown, 2019)
Jason Holder is next on this interesting list. The tall all-rounder has always been a great asset to his team. His ability to extract that extra bounce due to his height advantage has always done wonders for him, and he has been known most of the time for his bowling abilities. Lately, that perspective has been changing because of the very important batting contributions that make him an integral part of the team.
It would always sound awesome for a batter to hit a century at his home ground with his family, friends, and fellow countrymen enjoying and watching his best. Jason took this chance with both hands converting that triple-digit score into a double-century. Playing against a massive English side in Bridgetown in 2019, Jason hit an unbeaten 202, pairing up with Shane Dowrich for a third-best 7th wicket partnership of all time. The duo ensured the Windies were in a great position, which helped the side register a massive win of 381 runs and go one up in the series. His knock had 23 boundaries and 8 maximums which shows his batting prowess.
#2 Imtiaz Ahmed (PAK) – 209 vs New Zealand (Lahore, 1955)
Back then, having a wicketkeeper with great keeping skills was super valuable, and this talented wicketkeeper-batsman hailing from Pakistan, possessed the rare talent to work up at the same good level at keeping wickets for both pace bowlers and spinners. And to make it more special, he was also good with the willow.
We would have to go many decades back to talk about this great, iconic innings hit by Imtiaz. It was a 1955 Test match against New Zealand at Lahore, the Pakistani cricket fans could witness an innings to remember for ages to come for the many records he broke during that time. His effort of 209 had sweetly timed 28 boundaries which helped him become the first Pakistan batsman to hit a double century. Also, it was the first-ever double-century hit by a wicketkeeper and only the second instance for a No. 8. Imtiaz made a “naught” in the second innings of that game. Still, somehow Pakistani batters managed to win that game with 4 wickets to spare.
#1 Wasim Akram (PAK) – 257* vs Zimbabwe (Sheikhupura, 1996)
The first position is taken by “The King of Swing,” Wasim Akram. He had a very interesting start to his career. He was a person who had no knowledge or prior experience in competitive cricket, as he debuted without playing a single domestic or first-class game. And you know what? He ended his career with 900+ international wickets to his name.
Let us focus on his batting heroics at the moment. Wasim Akram, quite a handy batter, has more sixes than most of the all-time greats in the format. Playing against Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura, he scored the highest for a No. 8 batsman in Test cricket. It had 22 boundaries and 12 sixes, the record which stands still as the highest number of sixes scored in a single Test innings. However, Pakistan batted only once in that game and failed to wrap the 20 wickets of Zimbabwe to end up with a drawn Test match.
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