Kumble records half century of wickets at Kotla

New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) Anil Kumble celebrated his first match as India captain by claiming his 50th wicket on Feroz Shah Kotla ground in the first Test against Pakistan here today.

Playing his sixth match at his happy hunting ground here, Kumble recorded his half century of victims, by clean-bowling Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for 30.

Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, who later frustrated Indian plans with a defiant 71, were at that time trying to retrieve Pakistani fortunes with a 39-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Kumble became only the second bowler in Test history after Englishman Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in an innings when he inspired a series-levelling win over Pakistan at the same venue in 1999.

The 37-year-old Indian spinner has now gone far ahead of his nearest wicket taker on this ground.

Former India captain Kapil Dev is second with 32 wickets from nine matches and former Test spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar third with 23 scalps from five matches.

Kumble went on to take one more wicket -- that of Shaoib Akhtar -- today to reach his total wicket haul on this ground to 51.

He was the most successful Indian bowler today, returning with three for 38 from 20 overs. With this three, Kumble's career total wicket haul has gone up to 569, the third highest ever in history.

UNI