7 things that you won't believe happened on the cricket field

Cricket is a sport that never ceases to amaze its fans. To go along with the beautiful moments that the game offers, we often witness some bizarre things happening on the cricket field.

At times, many unexpected things happen on the ground, making us believe in the phrase "Nothing is Impossible" and also the famous phrase about cricket, "It is a game of endless possibilities".

There are instances when the game changes on its head in absolutely no time. But such things happen quite often. So we are going to ignore all the upsets and ridiculous turnarounds.

Let us have a look at some of the most insane incidents that took place during international matches:

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#7 Nathan Lyon top-scored for his side, batting at number 11

Nathan Lyon batting against South Africa

The Australian tour of South Africa in 2011 was one for the ages. There were many amazing moments to remember.

It all started in the first Test at Cape Town. The Australians got themselves to a winning position after scoring 284 in the first innings and bowling South Africa out for just 96. But the game turned on its head in the second innings.

The star-studded Australian batting line-up collapsed in front of the South African trio of Steyn, Philander and Morkel, that too in some spectacular fashion. The Aussies were bundled out for just 47.

At one stage, they were 21-9. Then, Nathan Lyon came to bat and managed to score 14 runs, becoming the top scorer in the process. However, Australia went on to lose the match in the end by 8 wickets.

There are some other incidents of the number 11 being the top scorer, as well. But taking into consideration the Australian batting line-up consisting of greats like Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey and Shane Watson, it was a real shocker.

#6 The slowest innings in the history of International cricket

Allot blocks yet another delivery

In a Test match against South Africa, New Zealand's Geoff Allot played the slowest innings in the history of International Cricket and the record still holds to the day.

The Kiwi batted for about 101 minutes and got out without scoring on the 77th delivery. So, the scorecard read Allot 0 (77).

He had come to bat at number 11 and gave good company to Chris Harris, who remained unbeaten on 68. The duo spent a long time in the middle and eventually played a major role in playing out a draw. But the fact that Allot was not able to score a single run, even after facing almost 13 overs, is still unbelievable.

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#5 Abdur Rehman's nightmare

Rehman celebrates a wicket

During the 2014 Asia Cup, Pakistani left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman had had an unforgettable outing against the hosts Bangladesh.

The Pakistani fans fondly remember this match for the amazing performance by Shahid Afridi, helping his team chase 327. But many people may also recall the bowling figures of Abdur Rehman, that read 0-0-8-0.

Yes, you read it correctly. He was introduced as the first change in the 11th over and gave away 8 runs without bowling a legal delivery. He bowled three full tosses, all of which were declared as no balls for height. Consequently, he was taken out of the attack straight away.

This rarely happens at the highest level and the fact that he is a spinner makes this incident even more bizarre.

#4 Mohammad Sami bowls the longest over

Sami was one of Pakistan's fastest bowlers

Pakistan is considered to be a team with the best bowling talents. Their bowlers often win games for the team. Mohammad Sami was also one such bowler. During his prime, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the world.

But during a match against Bangladesh in the 2004 edition of the Asia Cup, he had an absolute shocker, when he conceded 22 runs in the third over of the Bangladesh innings. It was definitely the worst over of his cricketing career.

Sami bowled as many as 7 wides and 4 no balls in that over, ending up with a total of 17 deliveries in that over. Interestingly, at the end of the innings, his figures read 8.2-2-32-2, which don't look that bad. But he'll definitely like to forget that over.

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#3 The ball goes through the stumps without disturbing the bails

Mushtaq Ahmed of Pakistan celebrates a wicket

Mushtaq Ahmed is considered to be one the best Pakistani spinners. The leg-spinner had a great career, especially in the longest format of the game.

During a test match in 1998, he was bowling to South Africa's number 9, Pat Symcox. He bowled a perfect googly to go through the defences of the batsman. Only to find out that the ball had gone perfectly between the off and middle stumps without dislodging the bails.

Pat Symcox was on 56 at that moment. He went onto score 83 and South Africa eventually won the match by 53 runs. But this Test is remembered for that particular delivery that went between the sticks, more than anything else.

#2 A haircut on the cricket field

Sunil Gavaskar in action against England.

Sunil Gavaskar is one the finest batsmen to have ever played the game. The right-hander held various records during his career and was always considered as the best during his prime.

But in addition to this, he also holds an amazing record. Sunil Gavaskar is the only cricketer to get a haircut on the field, during a match.

During a Test match against England in 1974, Gavaskar was on the field with the wind challenging his long curly locks. Then umpire Dickie Bird, who was probably carrying a pair of scissors with him, cut a chunk of Gavaskar's hair, which were falling on his face and blurring his vision, while he was playing.

Gavaskar went on to score an unbeaten century in that innings. However, India lost the game.

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#1 Both the wicketkeepers bowling in the same game

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (behind) and AB de Villiers (front).

There are only a few wicketkeepers who can bowl. Very rarely do we see a wicketkeeper coming to bowl an over. So, when wicketkeepers from both the teams have a bowl in the same game, it is bound to be a major highlight.

The first test of India's tour of South Africa is remembered for the brilliant batting display by the Proteas to save the Test match. In addition to this, many people also recall the amazing batting by Kohli, scoring 119 and 96 in the two innings along with the 153 runs scored Pujara in the second innings.

However, we also witnessed a very rare occurrence, during the third and the fourth innings. Firstly, it was the South African wicketkeeper, AB de Villiers, who bowled an over in the third innings conceding 5 runs.

Then, in the fourth innings, it was the Indian captain, MS Dhoni who bowled 2 overs, giving away 4 runs. This was the only instance in Test Cricket when wicket keepers from both the sides came out to bowl at least one over each.