Cricket Gloden Moments

Saturday, October 05, 2019

Rashid Latif - Best Ever Pakistani Wicket Keeper

Rashid Latif selected for Pakistan on the strength of hist batting at the tour to England in 1992. He gained popularity on his controversial bet with Geoff Boycott to make Fifty on Test debut and he did so at the Oval. Another controversy earned more fame by announcing retirement in the middle of Pakistan tour to Zimbabwe in 1994-95 along with Basit Ali.

He suspects something fishy under the captaincy of Salim Malik on the South Africa tour. Rashid Latif was suspended for five matches for false claiming a catch during the series against Bangladesh, eventually resulted in his stepping down from captaincy and end of his career. Rashid Latif played ODI and Test Matches from 1992 till 2003 and served by leading Pakistan team in six test and 25 one-day matches.

The Karachi born BSC computer engineer retired from all form of cricket in 2006 when he played his last match for Lashings cricket club in England. Throughout his entire career he had to compete hard with another Pakistani wicket-keeper, Moin Khan. In those days, both are having tough competition to grab final spot in the team.

Rashid was steady wicket keeper and handy batsman. In 1998, he captained Pakistan cricket team, but his position went down a string of poor performances followed he was again left out of the team. Rashid Latif took up the job of Afghanistan batting coach but quit the job citing interference. His whole career plagued with controversies at each turn. Some legend believes, he was Pakistan best wicket keeper even better than Wasim Bari.

Rashid Latif - Best Ever Pakistani Wicket Keeper

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Bill Johnston – Bradman Invincible Bowler

Bill Johnston the versatile left arm medium pace bowler, who was a key member of Australian invincible side of 1948. Bill Johnston was often an underrated member of Australian side in the decade after the World War II. Bill Johnston played 40 Tests matches from 1947 to 1955. for Australia taking 160 wickets at 23.91 until a knee injury forced him to retirement from cricket.

He was on the one of best performer on the tour of 1948 and equaled Ray Lindwall as Australian Top Wicket takers in the Tests, with 27 victims at an average of 23.33! His efforts earned him a Wisden Cricketer of the Year title in 1949. The Almanac reported that “no Australian made a greater personal contribution to the playing success of the 1948 side” than Johnston.

Across the whole tour, he collected 102 wickets at a marvelous average of 16.80 and he pounded down 84 over’s in the first Test match at the Trent Bridge for a brilliant match figure of 9 for 183. He wasn’t good in batting department, and just managed his highest first-class score, was 38 against South Australia. He was died on 26 May 2007.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Younis Khan - Great Pakistani Batsman, Most Runs in Test Cricket of Pakistan

Darren Gough - England Fast Bowler

Brendon Kuruppu Former Sri Lankan Wicket Keeper Batsman

Monday, September 16, 2019

Abdur Rauf - Tall Fast Bowler, Played 3 Test, 4 ODI's and 1 T20I for Pakistan.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Azhar Mehmood - Pakistani All Rounder

Azhar Mahmood was born on 28 Feb 1975. He played 21 Tests and 143 ODI’s for Pakistan. Azhar was one of those Pakistani cricketers who scored century and half century without being dismissed on Test debut against powerful South African attack at Rawalpindi in 1997. After that, he scored two more centuries against South Africa.

His father was having serious objections to his interest in cricket, but later on, Azhar proved to be a one of best all rounder in the country made him feels proud. Azhar Mahmood has also played tape ball cricket a popular format across the country. He played county cricket for Surrey and Kent, and then he married with British girl in 2003. He became a UK citizen in 2011, allowed him to play for Kent as an England qualified player. Due to this, he played as a British cricketer in IPL to Kings XI Punjab. After that he represented with KKR in 2015.

Azhar Mahmood made his ODI debut against India in 1996 at Toronto with a little success. He surprised many with his powerful batting skills and as swing bowlers. At one time, he was in contention of Pakistan skipper in front of some senior players. But unfortunately the future plan could not succeed.

He was an English type of medium pace bowler and belligerent batsman. Azhar Mahmood was strong on legs stumps and comfortable on short bowling and great ability to pushes the ball in defense. In 2002, for Surrey, he showed a great character by capturing 8 wickets for 61 runs against Lancashire, the best ever performance by him.

Azhar was lastly played for Pakistan in 2007 world cup, where early exits from the tournament meant his career is over. So, the 30 years old cricketer decides to go in England to playing county cricket. So being constant exclusion further de-motivated him. His mediocre performance and weight increase make him in further trouble. In 2016, he was appointed Pakistan bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket.

He was mentally a tough candidate. One of his innings of 132 for Pakistan on a treacherous pitch against powerful bowling attack of South Africa at Durban in 1997-98 considered as Wisden 8^th best Test inning of all time list. In this Test match South Africa's pace attack had more depth than at any other time in their history: Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Fanie de Villiers and supported by Lance Klusener. The 22 year old young all rounder made 96 in boundaries enable Pakistan to win a low scoring match by mere 29 runs.

Faisal Iqbal - The Nephew of Great Javed Miandad

Faisal Iqbal, played 26 Test Matches and 18 ODI's for Pakistan from 2001 to 2010. He inspired with his uncle technique and similar batting style to him. A talented batsman, could not justify with his selection and talent due to in-out situation.