RECORD breaker Madussar Bashir described it as a once-in-a-lifetime feat as he claimed all 10 wickets for Stalybridge Cricket Club’s second team in their victory against Hollingworth.
And what is more all 10 victims were bowled as Bashir, who is known as ‘Muddy’ at the club, finished with remarkable figures of 10 wickets for eight runs from 7.5 overs as Hollingworth were bowled out for 26.
Bashir, 29, created a Stalybridge club record, and it is also believed to be a best-ever return in the Derbyshire and Cheshire League.And with all the victims bowled – usually you get some caught or trapped leg before – this could also be a wider record.
Bashir, who previous best haul was 8-26 more than five years ago, admitted his rich vein of form began the previous week with a 7-13 return, including a hat-trick, against Dinting.
The extraordinary events against Hollingworth began when Bashir claimed his first wicket in the third over.
He said: “My first two overs were maidens, and I got my first wicket in the third, a left arm fast inswinger which hit the off stump without the batsman offering a shot.
“I started to feel then it would be a good day. Maybe I would be on for four or five wickets, but I never imagined getting 10.
“I was twice on a hat-trick and in one spell claimed three wickets in four balls.”
Bashir admitted to being nervous after he claimed his ninth wicket.
He explained: “My last wicket came 2.5 overs after the ninth one and there was always a chance our other bowler would bet out their number 10 or 11 batsmen, especially as were hitting out.
“I had nine wickets for four runs before their tailender hit me for four and I got him out the next ball.
“It was nerve-wracking as I wanted it to happen, and I was so close to doing something which is a once-in-a-lifetime happening.
“I am almost 30 years of age and have never seen a player take 10 wickets. And we have a player aged 60 who said the same. It is something which happens very rarely.”
“My dad is in his 70s and a big cricket fan so showing him the photo of me with the match ball was the best feeling. It was just amazing.”
Bashir’s 10-wicket haul is a club record and believed to be a league record.
“Ten wickets have been taken before in the league, but for 20 or 30 runs, never as low as eight,” he explained.
Bashir’s exploits helped take him top of the league’s bowling averages as he has 39 wickets at an average of 8.82.
Bashir, who lives in Clarksfield, Oldham, has been one of the league’s top bowlers for some time.
He has taken 229 wickets for the club including 21 five-wicket hauls and a best-ever return of 81 wickets in 2013.
While it is more than a decade since Bashir made his debut for Stalybridge, he is in his first full season back for five seasons.
He was unable to commit to cricket because of his studies working for a masters degree in the social science of business and later having to work weekends while he also was married.
Bashir, who is employed by British Gas, is no longer required to work weekends which is good news for Stalybridge Cricket Club but not for opposition batsmen.