The Most Undisciplined Bowling Display in Test History: When 109 No-Balls Were Bowled in a Single Match

A 1977 Test match between West Indies and Pakistan saw a staggering 109 no-balls bowled, a world record that remains unbroken in the format.

In modern cricket, bowling a no-ball is often treated as an unforgivable error, as a single misstep can alter the entire outcome between victory and defeat. Bowlers undergo rigorous training to eliminate such mistakes, yet high-pressure situations frequently lead to boundary infringements. Imagine a scenario where more than 100 runs are conceded purely through extras off the line. This exact anomaly occurred during a 1977 Test match played between the West Indies and Pakistan at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Unmatched World Record in Bridgetown
During this historic encounter, the bowlers from both sides combined to deliver a remarkable 109 no-balls, establishing a world record that stands to this day. Prior to 1977, no Test match had ever witnessed 100 or more deliveries penalized for overstepping. The pitch at Bridgetown offered significant pace and bounce, tempting bowlers to push for extra speed and execute short-pitched deliveries. In doing so, they repeatedly lost control of their run-ups, continuously crossing the popping crease and driving the no-ball count upward. To put this into perspective, the second-highest match for no-balls occurred in 1988 during an Australia versus West Indies Test, where 90 such deliveries were recorded.

A Fierce Battle of Pace and Aggression
The playing XIs for both the West Indies and Pakistan featured some of the most fearsome fast bowlers of the era. The West Indian attack included Colin Croft and Joel Garner, with the match marking the Test debut for both players. Andy Roberts also added to the hostile pace barrage. Meanwhile, Pakistan countered with legendary pacers Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz, who tested the West Indian batters with searing bouncers. Driven by an intense desire to outpace one another, the bowlers from both camps indulged in excessive overstepping and aggressive short bowling, directly fueling the unprecedented tally of extras.

A Hard-Fought Draw to Conclude the Match
Despite the immense drama and chaotic bowling statistics, the match ultimately ended in a draw. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 435 runs in their opening innings, anchored by a century from Wasim Raja. In response, the West Indies compiled 421 runs, driven by a hundred from captain Clive Lloyd. Pakistan then added 291 runs in their second essay, setting the West Indies a target of 306 runs for victory. On the final day of the match, the West Indies reached 251 for the loss of 9 wickets before time ran out, as Pakistan failed to secure the final wicket needed to force a win, leaving the contest drawn.

Questions & Answers

1. In which year was this match played between West Indies and Pakistan?
This match was played in the year 1977.

2. How many no-balls were bowled in total during this match?
A total of 109 no-balls were bowled by both teams combined in this match.

3. What was the final result of the match?
The match ended in a draw as the West Indies finished at 9 wickets down on the final day and Pakistan failed to take the last wicket.

4. How many runs did Pakistan score in their first innings?
Pakistan scored 435 runs in their first innings, anchored by a century from Wasim Raja.

https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/test-cricket-itihas-ka-sabse-anokha-muqabla-jab-ek-hi-match-mein-fanki-gayi-109-no-ball-17752
TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.