Morne Morkel continues to lead the charts of the unwanted world record

South African lead pacer Morne Morkel, on Sunday, extended the unwanted world record of most Test wickets being overturned by no-balls. He castled the skipper of Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim in the second innings but the batsman stayed as he had overstepped the mark. The first Test of the two-match series is being played between the Proteas and the Tigers at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. The bowler has also been ruled out of the Test match now as he is suffering from the left side strain. However, there is no further update on his injury and availability for the second Test match.

The 32-year-old bowler provided the hosts with vital breakthroughs in the second innings as he scalped Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque in the very first over. He also sent Rahim’s wickets flying with a deadly inswinger only to be called a no-ball by the umpire. This was the 14th time Morkel had picked up a wicket off the no-ball and the unwanted World record has been registered against his name for long now. Earlier this year, he had bowled England all-rounder Ben Stokes by overstepping the mark at Lord’s during the first Test against the hosts.

South Africa in command of the first Test

The hosts are in complete control of the first match against Bangladesh as they need to pick only 7 wickets on the final day. However, they would have to do it without their lead pacer Morne Morkel who left the field late in the day. Du Plessis’s men also have to fight it out with the rain gods as it is expected to come down heavily during the second session of play. The visitors would have to show some grit in the middle and keep their bowlers at bay. They are 375 runs adrift of the target which is unlikely to be chased on a fifth-day pitch and Bangladesh would pin all their hopes on their skipper to salvage a draw.