Hello Everyone, you know that I am a huge fan of Cricket. Cricket is a sport with a vivid history with thousands of memories. It has produced many great players, who revolutionized the game and sealed their names on the elite list.
So, I have started an article series to talk about Cricket Greats from different countries, their carriers, and their impact on the game. You can read my previous editions about Cricket Greats in Sri Lankaand in Austraila, in West Indies and in India. Today, let's talk about Pakistan.
Let's see the top three of India and these are just my personal preferences.
Imran Khan
He is one of the greatest all-rounders, a great captain in his days and Pakistan has ever produced. He played for Pakistan from 1975 to 1992 and captained the team from 1982-1992. He led the team to win their first and only ODI world cup in 1992, with a medium-level team. He led the team with distinction and inspired them to play with a winning mentality. Khan scored 3,807 runs and took 362 wickets in Test cricket, and in ODI he scored 3709 runs and took 182 wickets.
Imran Khan of Pakistan lifts the World Cup 1992, Via Getty Images
So, he performed well both as a bowler and a batsman at that time. Khan achieved the all-rounder's triple (securing 3000 runs and 300 wickets) in 75 Tests, the second fastest. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of fame and later he entered Politics and became the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan.
Javed Miandad
ESPN has labeled him as the greatest batsman that Pakistan has ever produced for his unconventional batting style and impressive control. He had a long and successful career, during which he consistently performed well and scored runs at a high average. He played for Pakistan in Tests and ODI s between 1975 and 1996. In Test, he has scored, 8832 runs in 124 matches, at an average of 52.57. 7381 runs in 233 ODI matches at an average of 41.70.
Pakistan captain Javed Miandad sweeps during his innings in 1992, via Getty Images
He is the youngest player to hit a double-century in Tests, and he appeared in 6 ODI world cups, the third player to do so. He still holds the record for the maximum no. of consecutive ODI half-centuries, 9. Miandad was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 and worked as a coach afterward.
Wasim Akram
The greatest left-arm pacer of all time in the Cricket world. He was a true all-rounder, known for his aggressive fast-bowling, powerful lower-order batting, and fine fielding. He was known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, reverse swinging, which made him a difficult bowler for batsmen to face. Sometimes, he moves the ball in both ways from one delivery. His deadly bouncer and slow-yorker were also his tools, which makes him quite unique.
Wasim Akram bowling for Pakistan in 1999, via Getty Images
Akram took 414 wickets in 104 matches, at an average of 23.62 and scored 2,898 runs, at an average of 22.64 in Test matches. In ODI, He took 502 wickets in 356 matches, at an average of 23.52 and scored 3,717 runs, at an average of 16.52. He is the only fast baller to take 400+ wickets in both formats, and the first baller to take 500+ ODI wickets. He has achieved many records in his career and got inducted in to Hall of Fame in 2009.
- Unforgettable List - Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Hanif Mohammad, Abdul Qadir, Saeed Anwar, Younis Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi
So, that's my second episode. Wait for the next one!!
Until the next time!
Thank You!
Best Regards!