Cricket in Pakistan

The Unforgettable Oval Test: Pakistan Cricket Team's first visit to the UK in 1954 was a great success, specially the defeat of the British squad at the hands of young Pakistani cricketers. Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Fazal Mahmood and Imtiaz Alam were the stalwarts. Fazal Mahmood bagged 12 wickets for 99 and became an instant hero. Pakistan won the fourth Test by 24 runs after losing the second at Trent Bridge to square the series 1-1 and breaking the tradition since no country had ever before won a Test in their first rubber in England.
On Aug 17 2004, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Oval Victory, the Pakistan team which won the Oval Test was awarded medals and cash prizes by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a special ceremony at National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Besides Fazal Mahmood, Imtiaz Ahmed, Alimuddin, Wazir Mohammad, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Khan Mohammad and Shujauddin were also present.

The 1992 World Cup was lifted by Imran Khan, captain of Pakistan, who won against England by 22 runs in the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), after initially faltering and barely managing to qualify for the semi final. Wasim Akram was instrumental in Pakistan's victory earning him the "Man Of The Match" award.

The Sharjah Cup (1987) final and specially its last few minutes shall always liven in the memory of every Pakistani. A match between India and Pakistan and that too a final cannot be taken easily both by the cricket team and the crowd. On that hot summer day, Pakistani batting collapsed in the early overs. Miandad was alone in the field with all the seasoned batsmen back in the pavilion. It was the last ball by Chetan Sharma when Miandad suddenly came forward and hooked the ball for a great six - the silent and white lipped crowd didn't take a second to rise and the quiet arena turned into jubilance. The great SIX had broken the spell.

The Legends that shall always be remembered for their masterly strokes and bowling.

The eldest of three cricket brothers (Mushtaq and Sadiq) Hanif Muhammad is remembered as the Little Master and for his 499 runs (he was run out while taking the 500th run). His 337 runs in 970 minutes continues to be a world record this date. Javed Miandad's master stroked 6 at Sharjah will be remembered in the history of cricket for ever. Just when Pakistan needed 4 runs with last ball in hand, Miandad rose to the occasion and hit the shot to win last ball victory over India in the finals. Starting with a century on debut against New Zealand at Lahore at age 19, Javed`s Test batting average never dropped below fifty throughout his 20 year career with 8832 Test runs at 52.57. Imran Khan first hit the headlines during the Sydney Test in 76-77 where he took 6/102 and 6/63 in the 2 innings and bowled Pakistan to a famous away victory, their first win on Australian soil. Some of his great achievements include winning the test series against England in England, beating India in India and of course Captaining Pakistan to its first and only World cup title. To Imran goes the credit for nurturing bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. The 1992 world cup in Australia and New Zealand was the last time Imran represented Pakistan and what a befitting way to make an exit as he led Pakistan to victory and put Pakistan's name firmly on the world cricketing map. Imran would definitely go down in history as one of truly great all rounders that the world has ever seen.

Fazal Mahmood was one of the first genuine right arm fast medium pace bowlers of Pakistan. He made his Test Debut for Pakistan, against India at Delhi in 1952/53. His performances earned him the distinction of being named the Wisden Cricketer of the year for 1955. Fazal spell bounded the spectators and the English Team when he bagged 12 for 99 in the Oval Test in 1954 and considered to be instrumental for bringing victory to Pakistan. He represented Pakistan 34 times took an impressive 139 wickets (an average of over five a match) at 24.70 and a best of 7 for 42. "If cricket were played as much in those days as now, Fazal would have taken a thousand wickets", said former England bowler Sir Alec Bedser. Wasim Akram acknowledged as the best left arm fast bowler ever. His pin point control of line and length and seam position provided complete control over both out swing and in swing. He is also credited with being the first to master reverse swing. With a very deceptive all-concealing action, Wasim was gifted with a very effective bouncer and an equally impressive Yorker. Wasim was instrumental in Pakistan's famous World Cup victory in 1992 in Australia. He became the first bowler to take two Hat-tricks (1989 and 1990, both at Sharjah) and only the fourth bowler to take 400+ wickets. In his 104 Test appearances he claimed 414 wickets and surpassed the 500-wicket landmark in ODIs in the last World Cup. Wasim Akram retired in 2003, leaving behind many stories of success and controversies.

The Cricket Enthusiasts
Whenever any foreign cricket team is in town, it draws a large crowd from all walks of life - women never keeping a step back and are often found cheering the home team with lot of enthusiasm. Rather the event becomes a family picnic day. One Abdul Jalil (below left) has become a mascot of Pakistani crowd over the past many years. Clad in green and white (the Pakistani flag colour) is a source of inspiration both for the home team and the crowd - often called as "Chacha Cricket" (Uncle Cricket).