England’s most prolific Test wicket-takers vs Pakistan – and vice versa

Jonhenry Wilson 14 Aug 2026

Stuart Broad was particularly successful against Pakistan.

Pakistan will shortly arrive in England for a three Test series. Fresh from finally winning on the road, they have their tails up and will be looking to cause an England side that’s in some disarray, a degree of trouble.

With Babar Azam once again at the helm of the team they are a side that appears to have turned a corner.

Their bowling unit in particular looked solid in the Caribbean and they will be hopeful that they can once again manage the 20 wickets needed in a Test to secure victory.

With that in mind, let’s take a moment to travel back in time and see which bowlers have fared best in Test cricket between Pakistan and England.

1. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan) – 82 wickets from 16 Tests between 1977 and 1987

The legendary leg spinner occupies the top spot on this prestigious list, having claimed 82 wickets from 16 Tests between 1977 and 1987.

Qadir was a true magician with the ball, credited with keeping the art of wrist spin alive during an era dominated by relentless fast bowling.

His performances against England were nothing short of hypnotic, culminating in his best bowling performance in a match of 13 for 101.

Across his decade of battles with English batsmen, he maintained a stellar average of 24.98, proving to be an unsolvable puzzle for generations of players unaccustomed to such fierce turn and subtle variations.

2. Jimmy Anderson (England) – 67 wickets from 19 Tests between 2010 and 2022

England’s ultimate swing bowling maestro sits proudly in second place, taking 67 wickets from 19 Tests between 2010 and 2022.

Anderson loved bowling against Pakistan, particularly in home conditions where the overhead clouds and Duke ball allowed him to showcase his once in a generation craftsmanship. His peak performance in this rivalry yielded stunning match figures of 11 for 71.

What stands out most about Anderson is his exceptional efficiency, managing a staggering average of 19.23 against Pakistan, the lowest average among all the top wicket takers on this historical list.

Also read: When will India let go of Gautam Gambhir?

3. Stuart Broad (England) – 67 wickets from 19 Tests between 2010 and 2020

Matching his long-term bowling partner exactly in the wicket columns, Broad also captured 67 wickets from 19 Tests between 2010 and 2020.

Broad was the quintessential partnership breaker, famous for his explosive, unstoppable spells that could tear through a batting lineup in the space of an hour.

His best bowling in a match against Pakistan was an impressive 6 for 66, and he concluded his chapter of this rivalry with a highly commendable average of 22.53, cementing his legacy as a persistent thorn in Pakistan’s side.

4. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 57 wickets from 18 Tests between 1987 and 2001

The Sultan of Swing is next on the leaderboard, having collected 57 wickets from 18 Tests between 1987 and 2001. Akram changed the game with his ability to swing the ball both ways at high speed, alongside his mastery of the art of reverse swing.

His finest hour against England saw him record match figures of 9 for 103. While his average of 30.66 is slightly higher than some of his peers, his sheer impact on matches and ability to produce unplayable deliveries when the pitch offered nothing made him a constant threat.

5. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 50 wickets from 11 Tests between 1992 and 2001

Working in tandem with Akram was his partner in devastation, who claimed 50 wickets from just 11 Tests between 1992 and 2001. Younis was famous for his terrifying, toe-crushing yorkers delivered at extreme velocity.

His strike rate was formidable, and his best bowling in a match against England was 8 for 154. Finishing with a fine average of 27.04, he played fewer matches against England than others on this list but made every single appearance count with maximum destruction.

6. Intikhab Alam (Pakistan) – 49 wickets from 20 Tests between 1961 and 1974

Representing an earlier era of cricket, the durable leg spinner collected 49 wickets from 20 Tests between 1961 and 1974. Alam was a reliable workhorse for his captain, capable of bowling massive blocks of overs to hold down an end while extracting turn.

His personal best match return against England was 7 for 181. Although he finished with a higher average of 43.77 due to playing on some famously flat wickets of the sixties and seventies, his longevity and total wicket tally ensure his place among the greats.

7. Imran Khan (Pakistan) – 47 wickets from 12 Tests between 1971 and 1987

Rounding out this elite group is one of cricket’s greatest ever all-rounders, who took 47 wickets from 12 Tests between 1971 and 1987. Khan was an inspirational leader who bowled with fierce pace and intelligence.

His standout display against England was a masterclass that yielded match figures of 10 for 77. With an elite average of 24.63, Khan proved that he could dismantle English batting orders just as effectively as any specialist bowler in history.