The day Nepal's Mahaboob Alam created history by taking 10 wickets in an ICC-recognised ODI

Alam’s figures of 10/12 against Mozambique is a world record

Nepal’s national cricket team has knack of setting unique records and close to unbreakable records. In 2006, Nepal bowled out Myanmar for 10 runs, chasing down the score in two balls. This particular feat remains the quickest chase in cricket history. Pivotal to their success has been left-arm seamer Mahaboob Alam.

The pacer took eight wickets against Myanmar, but two year later in 2008, he would go onto beat his own record. During a ICC World Cricket League Division 5 match against Mozambique, Alam set a Guinness World Record by becoming the first and only cricketer to take 10 wickets in an official limited overs match.

The first match between both teams was called off due to heavy rain. Mozambique on that occasion, reached a relatively respectable total of 70, before the cover were called. However, their re-match would etch Alam’s name into cricketing folklore.

Mozambique Captain Shoaib Younis won the toss to put Nepal into bat. After fierce spells from their pacers Aasif Koliya and Imtiaz Lily, Nepal were struggling at 30-3. However, a 73 run partnership between Gyanendra Malla and Shakti Gauchan brought in some stability to the innings.

Gauchan soon departed scoring 34 runs, with Nepal at 103 for four. Another 80-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Malla and a young Paras Khadke, ensured Nepal reach 183, before the latter was given out.

Malla was the next to go scoring a 101 ball 77, with Nepal at 204/6. A 25 ball 23 run cameo by Alam himself saw the Mountain lions end their innings at 238 for seven.

During a mid-innings interview, Nepal Captain Binod Das said, “We could have gotten many more runs on the board. We are not very happy with our batting performance.” Little did he know of the massacre that was about to ensue.

Mozambique’s “chase”

To Mozambique’s credit, they did not lose a single wicket in the first over. Nadir Karim was the first to go as Alam uprooted his off-stump. Five runs later, Mahmood Sidat was caught plum in front of the wicket, without troubling the scorers. The very next ball, Zainul Patel was dismissed in similar fashion.

On a hat-trick, Mozambique’s wicket-keeper Jayesh Khorava made sure he would deny Alam that pleasure. However, five runs later, he was also dismissed leg before. Kamran Qadir was also given out leg before with the team reeling at 12 for six. There were a total of nine ducks in the Mozambique innings.

The only batsman who showed any resistance was Kaleem Shah. His attempts to foil Alam’s party was soon destroyed, as he was caught behind by Mahesh Chhetri. Apart from Shah, not other player lasted on crease for more than 10 balls.

The very next ball, Alam clean bowled C Puspussen and Koliya soon followed. This brought in number 11 Lili, onto the crease. The 500 strong-crowd in Jersey were on the edge of their seats. Lili faced one delivery and the next ball, his leg stump was uprooted.

Alam’s 10/12 saw Mozambique record the second lowest total in international cricket history. His spell has also been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. The anecdote states, “The earliest bowler to take all 10 wickets in an ICC international cricket match with limited overs was Mahaboob Alam for Nepal [ICC recognised match] against Mozambique in Jersey, UK, on 25 May 2008. The match was contested as part of the 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division V competition. The accomplishment has only happened professionally in two other instances, both in Test cricket with unlimited overs: once each by Jim Laker [UK] and Anil Kumble [(India].”

Alam said, “The moment I got my eighth wicket, I knew it’s now or never. But luckily I got the ball to swing and got those wickets. I did think that Gauchan would take one wicket, but my luck he wasn’t given out. This is something I will never forget.”

Nepal would go onto finish third in the tournament, defeating USA in the semi-finals.

Scorecard:

Nepal

Lohani	9 (26)
Chhetri	16 (29)
Vesawkar
	1(7)
Gauchan	34 (66)
Malla	71 (152)
Khadka	44 (55)
Alam	23 (25)
Regmi	16 (10)
Das	0*
Total	238

Extras: 24

Bowling:

	Overs	Runs	Wickets
Koliya	10	49	3
Lili	10	40	2
Karim	10	34	0
Patel	8	42	1
Puspussen	6	39	1

Mozambique:

Ismail	0 (4)
Karim	0 (9)
Sidat	0 (16)
Shah	9 (42)
Patel	0 (6)
Khorava	0 (3)
Kadir	0 (11)
Younis	2 (12)
Puspussen	0 (2)
	0 (1)
Koliya
Lili	0 (2)
Total	19

Extras: 8

Bowling:

	Overs	Runs	Wickets
Alam	7.5	12	10
Das	3	3	0
Gauchan	4	2	0