Watch: Graeme Swann’s iconic bowling performance

Pakistan’s tour to England in 2010 is remembered mostly for the shameful spot fixing saga. But, if we neglect that single incident, cricket fans have many memorable moments to cherish. One of such memorable moment was when England’s best off-spinner in modern times – Graeme Swann- ran through the Pakistan batting order almost single-handedly.

Pakistan came into the second Test at Edgbaston after inflicting a massive 354 runs loss at Trent Bridge. England dominated at Edgbaston as well to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series with a nine-wicket win courtesy to spinner Swanny.

This match saw Swann put up his best bowling performance in an innings after he recorded a 6-65 in a marathon wicket-taking spell during the 2nd inning of the match. It was a classical display of off-spin. The ball was drifting beautifully and spitting off the track after pitching.

The ripper which snared Imran Farhat where he deceived both the batsman and wicket keeper Matt Prior to snap him through the gates was called as ‘the ball of the 21st century’ by many tabloids. the ball drew a comparison to Shane Warne’s ‘ball of the century’ bowled at Old Trafford in 1993. This was how he began his wicket taking spree that wonderful.

He then added another top order batsman Azhar Ali to his kitty before crashing through the middle order with the wickets of Umar Amin, Umar Akmal and Zulqairnain Haider to complete his five-wicket haul. Pakistan’s ‘Doosra’ wielding offie Saeed Ajmal was his sixth scalp.

Pakistan despite all their resistance were all out for 296 owing to his brilliant efforts. This performance also earned him the Player of the Match.

Watch: Graeme Swann’s iconic bowling performance: