Top five sub-continent cricket GOATS

Recently, England and New Zealand improved their performances in the subcontinent, with their wonderful series victories on Pakistani soil. England whitewashed Pakistan in the Test series by 3-0, riding on youngster Harry Brook and Jack Leach's extraordinary performances. Kane Williamson-led New Zealand thrashed the Men in Green by a 2-1 margin and succeeded in ending the drought of winning an ODI series in Pakistan after 46 years. Along with England and New Zealand, Australia have also enhanced their level of performance in the subcontinent conditions.

In the recently concluded 2022-23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, the Kangaroos lost the first two games against Rohit Sharma and Co., but in the last two matches of the competition, they displayed a fighting spirit against the hosts. Riding on the heroics of Nathan Lyon, the visitors dominated India in the third Test in Indore. However, this was not the first time that subcontinent nations got dominated by the visiting side in their home conditions. In the past, some top players of the fraternity utilised their skills and helped their sides to bag the tournament against subcontinent teams in their own backyards.

Talking more about it, here are five foreign players who could be considered subcontinents GOATS

5. Makhaya Ntini

Makhaya Ntini achieved a lot while playing for South Africa from 1998-2011. In 13 years of his career, the legendary bowler took 662 wickets in 284 international appearances. Talking about his overall record in the subcontinent, the former Protea claimed 107 wickets in 54 games across formats. 

In India, Ntini played 12 games for his side and bagged 29 wickets. The former South Africa stalwart has fine numbers in Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well. Playing 14 matches on the land of the Men in Green, one of the greatest Protea bowlers picked up 33 wickets in 14 contests. While on Sri Lankan surfaces, he racked up 19 wickets in 15 matches.

Back in 2007, South Africa pulled off an incredible ODI series victory against Shoaib Malik-led Pakistan in Pakistan. In the huge triumph, Ntini played a crucial role with the ball, becoming the leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets in five matches at an economy of 5.30. In 2008, the pacer also delivered stupendous bowling numbers to his team to beat India in the Ahmedabad Test. With his 3/18 and 3/44 spells in the contest, the Proteas annihilated the hosts by an innings and 90 runs.