Shane Bond - The Fastest Bowler ever Produced by New Zealand

Shane Bond - The Fastest Bowler ever Produced by New Zealand

 

Moin Khan - Pakistani Wicket Keeper

 Moin Khan is regarded as a better batsman than Rashid Latif. Both were often fighting for a place on the side in the 1990's.

Sarfraz Nawaz - The Pioneer of Reverse Swing Bowling

Sarfraz Nawaz is born on 1 December 1948 in Lahore. He is a former Pakistani Test cricketer and politician, who were instrumental in Pakistan's first Test series victories over India and England. He is known as one of the earliest exponents of reverse swing. 

Being 6’6'’ tall, Sarfraz was described "as strong as a cart-horse" and his powerful upper body and good action allowed him to bowl at a fast-medium pace. He could seam the ball in either direction and despite the convention, he repeatedly bounced other fast bowlers such as Jeff Thomson and Joel Garner.

The big, burly Punjabi bowler, Sarfraz formed a potent partnership with Imran Khan and was one of the pioneers of reverse swing. His most prolific spell came in the Melbourne Test of 1978-79, but he kept going admirably on some heartless Test pitches in Pakistan. 

He had all the ingredients of a potent fast bowler - a strong action, bouncers, Yorkers, and swings (both conventional and reverse). He was so effective that he generated good lift on docile sub-continental tracks too. He is more remembered for his 'spell from hell' - 9-86 against Australia at MCG in 1979.

He also served Northamptonshire with distinction in two stints. As a lower-order batsman, he often swung his bat and got quick runs and he averaged over 40 in a series on three occasions.

He attracted a few controversies as well. Sarfraz controversially dismissed Aussie batsman, Andrew Hilditch for handling the ball in the next test at Perth after his 'spell from hell'. His withdrawal from a home series against England also created quite a fit of anger.

Sarfaraz Nawaz proved himself a fast-medium bowler of class, a tough customer at most times who possessed absolute accuracy while bowling. His ability to hit the ball while batting lower down the order made him a useful mini-all-rounder and he was the third Pakistani to take 100 Test wickets and score 1000 Test runs. He possessed a good action and the ability to seam the bowl with equal effectiveness both ways.

On March 15, 1979, at Melbourne, he bowled a memorable spell to take nine wickets in an innings. He dismissed seven batsmen while conceding just one run from 33 balls. He was a highly controversial player due to his unconventional behavior and mood swings and bowled a succession of bouncers at other fast bowlers such as Jeff Thompson and Joel Garner. Once, protesting about his pay, he flew to England during a Test series between the two teams in Pakistan.

Following his retirement, SarfrazNawaz plunged into the complex world of Pakistan politics. He became an outspoken MP and cricket commentator. The flat wickets found in Pakistan were not ideal for a bowler of his pace, but could sometimes surprise batsmen with his ability to make to ball seam, swing, or bounce awkwardly. More importantly, Sikander Bakht Sarfraz developed reverse swing. 

Commentators did not realize this was a reverse swing at the time, though they realized that he had an uncanny ability to move the old ball in the air. He passed on his knowledge to Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis, who made this new type of bowling famous in the late 1980s and 1990s. As a batsman, he was a good lower-order striker of the ball, particularly when driving, and averaged over 40 in a series on three occasions.

Between 1969 till 1984, he played 55 Tests and 45 One Day Internationals for Pakistan and captured 177 Test wickets at an average of 32.75.

Javed Miandad in Cricket World Cup 1992

Just before the match Pakistan received a major blow as Imran Khan, their captain, was ruled out of the contest with a shoulder injury. Javed Miandad 57 off 61 balls with 5 fours at a Strike Rate of 93.44 vs West Indies at MCG in 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Miandad Join Ramiz Raja at 97 for 2, in 30^th over, as Pakistan was really struggling with the sluggish batting of Ramiz Raja and another batsman. Ramiz Raja scored 102Not out in 158 balls with the help of just four 4’s. But then, Javed Miandad was a special person. 

The very sight of the stand-in captain walking out with that trademark nothing-is-wrong-with-the-world smile lifted the spirit of many a Pakistan fan. It was not a match-winning score, but certainly a competitive one. Miandad's innings were indeed very special in terms to consider the long boundary of MCG. 

He played typical cheeky innings and took a few boundaries behind the wickets off Marshall and Ambrose's bowling. That was a treat to watch. Rameez and Miandad added 123 for the unbroken third wicket, taking 81 from the last 10 overs. Let's watch Miandad's innings

Iqbal Sikander, a leg-break bowler, and Wasim Haider, a fast-medium bowler, made their debuts in the match. In a month s time, they would write their names in the history of Pakistan cricket as their first world champions. 

The umpires Steve Randell and Ian Robinson were confused. Hooper and Harper had bowled their overs so quickly that despite having Marshall, Ambrose, and Benjamin in the line-up, West Indies had managed to bowl their 50 overs half an hour before the stipulated time. Of course, only 12 boundaries and 2 wickets contributed to the over rate as well. Later on, Pakistan won the World Cup, while West Indies did not make it to the semi-final.

Wasim Haider (economy rate 4.15) and Sikander (4.20) played 7 matches between them in the World Cup. They claimed only 5 wickets between them but did excellent containing jobs whenever they got opportunities. Surprisingly, despite being World Champions and doing competent jobs, neither played any more international cricket.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 220 for 2 in 50 overs (Rameez Raja 102*, Javed Miandad 57*) lost to West Indies 221 for no loss in 46.5 overs (Desmond Haynes 93*, Brian Lara 88 retired hurt) by 10 wickets with 19 balls to spare.

 

 

Courtney Walsh Career Best 7 for 37 vs New Zealand at Wellington 1995

Courtney Andrew Walsh was born on 30 October 1962 in Jamaica. A former cricketer who represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001 and also captained the West Indies side in 22 Test matches. He is a fast bowler and considered one of the all-time greats, best known for a remarkable opening bowling partnership along with fellow West Indian Curtly Ambrose for several years.

In the 2nd Test match against New Zealand at Wellington in 1995, Courtney Walsh took the career Best 7for 37 in the first innings.   

In the 2^nd inning, he also took 6 for 18 and registered his career-best bowling 13 wickets against 55 runs in a match.

West Indies won the Toss and elected to bat first. They scored 660 for 5 declared with the contribution of Brian Lara 147, Jimmy Adams 151, Junior Murray 101, Keith Aurtheron 70, Chanderpaul 61, and Stuart Williams 26.

New Zealand bundled out 216 in the first innings and 122 in the 2^nd innings. Therefore, West Indies won the match by innings and 322 runs. Courtney Walsh was declared man of the match.  

In the first innings, Courtney Walsh took the wicket of Bryan Young 29, Andrew Jones 0, Stephen Fleming 47, Shane Thomson 6, Adam Parore 32, Murphy Sua 6, and Simon Doull 0.

In the 2^nd innings, he took 6 for 18 and captured the wickets of Bryan Young 0, Darrin Murray 43, Stephen Fleming 30, Murphy Sua 8, Simon Doull 0, and Danny Morrison 0.

Courtney Walsh is probably the most prolific bowler in history based on his physiological characteristics. There was no breaking his spirit, which led him to the previously unimaginable milestones of 519 Test wickets and 30,019 balls, not to mention the countless overs he bowled for Gloucestershire and Jamaica. He set a Test record with 43 ducks for his comic incompetence with the bat.

Courtney Walsh played 132 Tests and 205 ODIs for the West Indies and took 519 and 227 wickets respectively in Test and ODI’s. He shared 421 Test wickets with Ambrose in 49 matches. He was the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket. His autobiography is entitled "Heart of the Lion". 

Walsh was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1987. In October 2010, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. He was appointed as the Specialist Bowling Coach of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in August 2016.

Rashid Latif - The Best ever Wicket-Keeper Pakistan has Ever Produced

Rashid Latif is born on 14 October 1968 in Karachi. A cricket coach and former cricketer who played for the Pakistan national cricket team in Tests and One Day Internationals from 1992 to 2003 as a right-handed wicket-keeper batsman. He also served as the captain of the Pakistan team in 2003, leading the country in 6 Tests and 25 one-day matches.

He took 5 dismissals against New Zealand in a World Cup match at Lahore. In those days, it was considered a rare performance to take five dismissals in an ODI inning.  He was a steady keeper and a handy lower-order batsman. Rashid Latif Took the catch of Craig Spearman off Aqib Bowling, Nathan Astle off Waqar’s Bowling, Chris Cairns off Aamir Sohail bowling, Shane Thomson of Waqar Younis Bowling, and Stephen Fleming Stumped off Salim Malik Bowling. Pakistan won the match by 46 runs. This was the last game of the league matches. Pakistan won 4 matches in five games.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first. Pakistan scored 281/5 in 50 overs, Aamir Sohail 50, Saeed Anwar 62, Ijaz Ahmad 26, Inzi 39, Salim Malik 55* and Wasim Akram 28*

In reply, New Zealand bowled out 235 runs in 47.3 overs, as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aaqib Javed, and Salim Malik took 2 wickets a piece, while Aamir Sohail took 1 wicket. Salim Malik was declared man of the match by his all-around performance of 55* runs and 2 for 41.

In education, Rashid Latif earned a BSc in computer systems engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology with Saeed Anwar.

Wasim Akram the King of Swing Bowling

In 1994, along with Waqar Younis, he bowled out to Sri Lanka for just 71 runs in the 3rd Test match at Kandy. He took 4 for 32 and 1 of 70 to deliver the series wins of 2-0. As that game illustrated, he could be more than a useful batsman.

Jimmy Maher Career, Profile, Stats, Info and Much More

  

Full Name: James Patrick Maher

Born: 27 February 1974 Innisfail Queensland,

Nickname – Mahbo

National Side: - 1998-2003 Australia

ODI Shirt No: - 46

Height – 6ft (182cm)

Batting – Left-Handed batsman

Bowling – Right-handed Medium Fast

ODI Debut – 14 Jan 1998 vs New Zealand

Last ODI – 9 November 2003 vs New Zealand

Queensland Pura Cup Captain: - 2002/03 and 2007/08

Former Australian cricketer Jimmy Maher is born on 27 February 1974 in Queensland. An attractive left-hander with a thumbing cover-drive, Jimmy Maher played two one-dayers for Australia in 1997-98.

After having played a couple of ODIs, it seemed like Maher's international career was done. However, relentless consistency in the domestic circuit saw him make a return in 2002. It was due to a sensational Pura Cup season in 2001-02, where he became the first ever batsman to aggregate over 1000 runs in a season, that Maher was able to storm his way back into the national side.

Apart from being a gifted left-handed batsman who oozed class in his strokeplay, he was a utility medium pacer and could also keep wickets when needed. Like most left-handers, Maher's signature stroke was the cover drive which he unfurled with absolute class.

Maher's bubbly personality made him a popular member of dressing rooms from the Gabba to the Gower. He took a while to get the hang of English pitches, but magnificent footwork and remarkable shot-selection won through in the end.

In the 2001/02 season, he continued that form back in Australia, slamming 174 against Victoria and 209 against South Australia on his way to becoming the first batsman to reach 1000 Pura Cup runs.

It was in the same year that Australia was determined to start the process of transition and had dropped the Waugh brothers from the ODI squad. Ricky Ponting was appointed captain and there were a plethora of changes in the squad.

As the selectors looked for youth, they also wanted experience, even if it was at the domestic circuit alone and that's where Maher came in. The tour to South Africa was his comeback series and although he played a couple of impact knocks, the consistency never really came. 

Jimmy Maher back into the one-day reckoning, when he announced his return with 95 in the second match against South Africa at Centurion in 2002 and followed that up with a vital 43 not out to secure a tie at Potchefstroom.

A series of handy one-day performances won him a place as the spare batsman (and the stand-in wicketkeeper) in the 2003 World Cup-winning squad, although he appeared in only two matches. Therefore, the tours to West Indies and India followed but his 26-match one-day journey ended when Brad Haddin assumed the backup gloveman’s role. 

Replacing Stuart Law as Queensland's captain, Jimmy Maher lost five domestic finals in a row before sealing his first win as a leader with the 2005-06 Pura Cup. He marked the occasion with a career-high 223 and then let his batsmen race to an unstoppable 6 declared for 900, dedicating the victory to victims of a fierce cyclone in north Queensland the previous week. Maher's Man-of-the-Match performance guided him to a personal haul of 906 runs at 53.29 in the competition and showed that at the age of 32 he had plenty of energy left. 

The run-scoring leader in the interstate one-day tournament, Maher's stand-out limited-overs moment came with a national-record 187 from 129 deliveries against Western Australia in 2003-04 as the Bulls charged to an unmatched 405 in 50 overs.

In February 2007, he also values highly his 108 runs in 133 balls in the limited-overs final of 2006-07, which set up Queensland's victory in the Ford Rangers Cup Final against the Victorian Bushrangers at the MCG. The Queensland Bulls went on to win the match by 21 runs. It was the third time that he had scored a century for Queensland in an Ondday domestic final.

On 11 February 2007 Maher was criticized by South Australian cricket captain Darren Lehmann for not declaring to make a game of their Pura Cup match at the Gabba. Lehmann said he thought he was playing Tasmania referring to Tasmania's reliance on the final day run chases.

Jimmy Maher caused controversy in 1995 following Queensland's Sheffield Shield win over South Australia, when he said during a television interview "I'm as full as a coon's Valiant". Indigenous Australians criticized Maher for his statement and its racial undertone. Maher later publicly apologized for the statement.

A year later, following a subdued season, he stood down with 9,933 first-class runs for the Bulls, second behind Martin Love, and headed for the Indian Cricket League.

 

Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Saleem Jaffer in 1987 World Cup.

Great Imran Khan, with his bowling Army, Wasim Akram and Saleem Jaffer in World Cup 1987. 

 

Aamir Sohail Profile - Cricket Career

Muhammad Aamir Sohail is born on 14 September 1966. He is a Pakistani cricket commentator and former cricketer. In a playing career that spanned eighteen years, Sohail played in 195 first-class and 261 List A Limited Overs matches, including 47 Test matches and 156 One Day Internationals for Pakistan. Aamir Sohail was a combative left-hand opener and a predominantly back-foot player whose forte was improvisation. He loved to attack, and almost found it impossible to control his aggression.

Aamir Sohail made his first-class debut in 1983, as a left-handed opening batsman and occasional left-arm spin bowler. An aggressive batsman, Sohail first appeared for the national team in 1990 one-day international against Sri Lanka and enjoyed a successful international career. He was an important member of the team that won the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Aamir Sohail captained Pakistan in six Tests in 1998, becoming the first Pakistani captain to defeat South Africa in a Test Match. He led Pakistan through 22 One Day Internationals from 1996 to 1998, winning nine and averaging 41.5 with the bat. He also acted as acting captain of Pakistan against the West Indies in Sharjah.

Sohail played a big role in Pakistan's World Cup triumph in 1992, famously telling Ian Botham that he might want to send his mother-in-law into bat, referring to Botham's statement that he wouldn't send even his mother-in-law to Pakistan after Botham was controversially given out for zero in the final.

In the 1996 World Cup Quarter Final in Bangalore against arch-rival India, Sohail was captaining his side in pursuit of a relatively large target of 287 in 49 overs. With opening partner Saeed Anwar, he got Pakistan off to a flying start. With the score at 109 for one and Saeed Anwar (48) back in the pavilion, Aamir Sohail smashed a delivery from Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad through the covers for four. Both players exchanged words, and Sohail unnecessarily pointed his finger aggressively at Prasad. The next delivery clean-bowled him and triggered a batting collapse which ultimately lost the game and eliminated Pakistan from the competition.

Aamir Sohail was at the heart of the match-fixing scandal that rocked cricket in the 1990s: as captain of the national team, his whistle-blowing may have negatively affected his international career and he left the international scene early to work in broadcasting, where he might have tried harder to suppress his personal prejudices.

After retiring from cricket in 2001, Sohail became chief selector for the national team, his tenure ending in January 2004 when he was replaced by former national team wicketkeeper Wasim Bari. He continues to work as a cricket broadcaster. On 4 February 2014, he was again appointed as Chief Selector of the national team for the second time.