(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Dale Steyn has become South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker by dismissing Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman in the first Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Fakhar edged to Dean Elgar at second slip to give Steyn his 422nd wicket and take him past Shaun Pollock, whose record had stood since he quit in 2008.
Steyn’s haul has come in 89 matches, at an average of 22.60, while Pollock averaged 23.11 across 108 matches.
“He is a true leader of the attack and deserves the record,” said Pollock.
The former fast bowler was commentating on television at the time of the wicket and offered a thumbs-up signal to 35-year-old Steyn, who responded with the same gesture after being lifted shoulder-high by celebrating team-mates.
It proved to be Steyn’s only wicket as fellow paceman Duanne Olivier claimed a Test-best 6-37 to bowl the tourists out for 181 in just 47 overs.
In response, South Africa reached 127-5 at the close, with Temba Bavuma (38 not out) and Steyn, who was unbeaten on 13, at the crease as they helped to halt their side’s collapse.
