Monday 31 October 2011

Aaqib Javed

Aaqib Javed Biography
Full name Aaqib Javed

Born August 5, 1972, Sheikhupura, Punjab

Current age 39 years 88 days

Major teams Pakistan, Allied Bank, Hampshire, Islamabad Cricket Association, Lahore Division, Pakistan Automobiles Corporation, Sheikhupura Cricket Association

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Career statistics
Test debut New Zealand v Pakistan at Wellington, Feb 10-14, 1989 scorecard
Last Test Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Peshawar, Nov 27-30, 1998 scorecard
Test statistics

ODI debut Pakistan v West Indies at Adelaide, Dec 10, 1988 scorecard
Last ODI Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Rawalpindi, Nov 24, 1998 scorecard
ODI statistics

First-class span 1984-2003
List A span 1988-2003
Profile
An under-rated fast-medium bowler who mastered traditional and reverse-swing. He had a sprinting run-up which culminated in a high action, allied to a hostile attitude towards batsmen. Aqib Javed was allegedly only 16 when he made his Test debut in 1988-89, but he spent much of his career in the shadows of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, despite playing a key part in Pakistan's 1992 World Cup victory when he opened the bowling effectively in place of the injured Waqar. The subsequent tour of England was eventful too. Aqib was involved in a notorious sweater-tugging incident with umpire Roy Palmer after he had gratuitously pitched short at England's No. 11 Devon Malcolm. Aqib was in and out of the side too much for his liking, and made more of an impact as a one-day player. His career ended amid the acrimony of Pakistan's match-fixing controversy, in which he was seen as one of the clean players.

Aaqib Javed

Aaqib Javed ODI Hat Trick against India

Pak vs NZ WC 1992 SF Pitch Hitter Mark Greatbatch clean bowled by Slow delivery from Aaqib Javed

Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar Biography
Full name Saeed Anwar

Born September 6, 1968, Karachi, Sind

Current age 43 years 56 days

Major teams Pakistan, Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, United Bank Limited

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

ODI debut Pakistan v West Indies at Perth, Jan 1, 1989 scorecard
Last ODI Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo, Mar 4, 2003 scorecard
ODI statistics

First-class span 1986-2003
List A span 1985-2003
Profile
Wisden overview
Majestic timing and placement were Saeed Anwar's hallmarks. He was an opener capable of electrifying starts in all cricket through graceful strokeplay rather than brute force. He loved driving through the off side with minimal footwork. He annihilated any bowler offering width outside off stump although he too regularly guided the ball straight into the hands of fourth slip or gully. He first came to prominence as a one-day player but soon achieved equal success in Test cricket. Anwar's fielding was weak, he was injury prone, and his footwork became less assured as his career drew to a close. Opting to take a break from the game after the death of his daughter in August 2001, he was a lesser force when he came back, though he still managed a hundred against India in the 2003 World Cup. His batting prowess on the wane, Anwar finally announced his retirement just before Pakistan's home series against Bangladesh. He held the record for the highest ODI score till Sachin Tendulkar upstaged him, and on his day he was one of the most gracefully compelling players on the international stage.

Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar 126 off 99 balls vs Sri Lanka 1989/90 Adelaide

Saeed Anwar 119 vs Australia 1999 GABBA

Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar Biography
Shoaib Akhtar (born 13 August 1975 in Rawalpindi, Punjab) is a Pakistani cricketer, and amongst the fastest bowler in the world, earning him the name Rawalpindi Express. He set a world record by clocking 100mph twice. His ability to bowl fast yorkers, well disguised slow balls, swinging deliveries, and sharp bouncers made him lethal even on dead pitches. However, he has never been far from controversy, often accused of not being a team player. Shoaib was sent back home from a tour in Australia in 2005. A year later he was embroiled in a drug scandal after testing positive for a banned substance. However, the ban imposed on him was lifted on appeal. In September 2007, Shoaib was banned by the PCB for an indefinite period for the alleged brawl with his team-mate Mohammad Asif. The ban was finally lifted but injuries and his attitude problem have kept him more off the field than on it.

Shoaib Akhtar

Exclusive: Shoaib Akhtar's all-out attack

Shoaib Akhtar at his Best

Abdul Razzaq Biography

Abdul Razzaq Biography
Full name Abdul Razzaq

Born December 2, 1979, Lahore, Punjab

Current age 31 years 333 days

Major teams Pakistan, Asia XI, Hampshire, Hampshire 2nd XI, Hyderabad Heroes, ICL Pakistan XI, Khan Research Labs, Lahore, Lahore Lions, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Pakistan International Airlines, Surrey, Worcestershire

Also known as Abdur Razzaq

Playing role Allrounder

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Career statistics
Test debut Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane, Nov 5-9, 1999 scorecard
Last Test Pakistan v West Indies at Karachi, Nov 27-Dec 1, 2006 scorecard
Test statistics

ODI debut Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Lahore, Nov 1, 1996 scorecard
Last ODI India v Pakistan at Mohali, Mar 30, 2011 scorecard
ODI statistics

T20I debut England v Pakistan at Bristol, Aug 28, 2006 scorecard
Last T20I New Zealand v Pakistan at Christchurch, Dec 30, 2010 scorecard
T20I statistics

Profile
Abdul Razzaq was once rapid enough to open the bowling and remains composed enough to bat anywhere, though he is discovering that the lower-order suits him nicely. His bowling - the reason he was first noticed - is characterised by a galloping approach, accuracy, and reverse-swing. But it is his batting that is more likely to win matches. He boasts a prodigious array of strokes and is particularly strong driving through cover and mid-off off both front and back foot. He has two gears: block or blast. Cut off the big shots and Razzaq gets bogged down, although patience is his virtue as he demonstrated in a match-saving fifty against India in Mohali in 2005. Just prior to that he had also played a bewilderingly slow innings in Australia, scoring four runs in over two hours. When the occasion demands it though, as ODIs often do, he can still slog with the best of them: England were pillaged for a 22-ball 51 at the end of 2005. and then again for nearly 60 runs in the last three overs of an ODI in September the following year.

Abdul Razzaq

5 Fours by Abdul Razzaq vs McGrath in one over

Abdul Razzaq 75 off 32 (7 sixes & 5 fours) vs England

Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez Biography
Full name Mohammad Hafeez

Born October 17, 1980, Sargodha, Punjab

Current age 31 years 14 days

Major teams Pakistan, Faisalabad, Faisalabad Wolves, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sargodha, Sui Gas Corporation of Pakistan

Playing role Allrounder

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Career statistics
Test debut Pakistan v Bangladesh at Karachi, Aug 20-24, 2003 scorecard
Last Test Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Dubai (DSC), Oct 26-29, 2011 scorecard
Test statistics

ODI debut Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Sharjah, Apr 3, 2003 scorecard
Last ODI Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sep 14, 2011 scorecard
ODI statistics

T20I debut England v Pakistan at Bristol, Aug 28, 2006 scorecard
Last T20I Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sep 18, 2011 scorecard
T20I statistics

First-class debut 1998/99
Last First-class Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Dubai (DSC), Oct 26-29, 2011 scorecard
List A debut 1998/99
Last List A Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sep 14, 2011 scorecard
Twenty20 debut Australia A v Pakistanis at Adelaide, Jan 13, 2005 scorecard
Last Twenty20 Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Sep 18, 2011 scorecard
Profile
An opening batsman and a handy offspin bowler, Hafeez was one of the young players that the Pakistan selectors turned to after the team's abysmal display in the 2003 World Cup. His performances in Sharjah and in the NatWest Challenge in England indicated that Hafeez could well be a long-term prospect - he showed good technique and temperament at the top of the order and bowled his offspinners tidily, but most impressive was his performance in the field. Patrolling the point and covers region with feverish alertness, he saved plenty of runs and pulled off an amazing catch. His organised approach towards batting ensured that he got an opportunity in the Test team in the three-Test series against Bangladesh. He didn't do badly either, scoring a half-century on debut, and then stroking his first hundred in his second Test. However, his form then dipped alarmingly in the ODIs against South Africa, leading to his exclusion from the Test squad. Soon after he was dropped from the ODI squad as well. He has remained on the fringes of the national squad however with a string of impressive domestic performances, coupled with useful hands for the Pakistan A squad. He was called back to the ODI side in 2005 but failed to achieve any significant results. A spanking century for Pakistan A against Australia A in the Top End Series in Australia during the summer of 2006, allied with the exacerbtion of Pakistan's opening problems on the tour to England, meant that Hafeez returned for the Oval Test annd amidst all debris, his calm and signficant 95 was all but forgotten. He has been adequate rather than spectacular though given the problems Pakistan have with openers, Hafeez is likely to remain involved for some time even with an ordinary average.

Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez maiden century...

Mohammad Hafeez doesn't believe in history of India vs Pakistan

Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis Biography
Full name Waqar Younis Maitla

Born November 16, 1971, Vehari, Punjab

Current age 39 years 349 days

Major teams Pakistan, Glamorgan, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, National Bank of Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Redco Pakistan Ltd, Surrey, United Bank Limited

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast

Other Coach, Commentator

Relation Brother - Faisal Younis

Career statistics
Test debut Pakistan v India at Karachi, Nov 15-20, 1989 scorecard
Last Test South Africa v Pakistan at Cape Town, Jan 2-5, 2003 scorecard
Test statistics

ODI debut Pakistan v West Indies at Sharjah, Oct 14, 1989 scorecard
Last ODI Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo, Mar 4, 2003 scorecard
ODI statistics

First-class span 1987-2004
List A span 1988-2004
Twenty20 debut Somerset v Warwickshire at Taunton, Jun 13, 2003 scorecard
Last Twenty20 Surrey v Warwickshire at Nottingham, Jul 19, 2003 scorecard
Recent matches
Bat & Bowl Team Opposition Ground Match Date Scorecard
0/25 Pakistanis v International XI The Oval 10 Jul 2006 Other match
Profile
The man who really put the reverse into swing. Waqar Younis bucked the 1980s trend of pitching fast and short by pitching fast and full. Not an obvious recipe for success until you factor in prodigious late inswing, which was designed to smash into the base of leg stump or the batsman's toes. In his youth, he was one of the fastest ever. Waqar's surging run was a glorious sight - and an incredible strain on his body. His method of aiming for the stumps rather than the batsman earned him the best strike rate of any bowler with over 200 Test wickets. It could have been better: back injuries cut short his prime, but determination has always resurrected him, although he was easily pushed over the line that divides aggression and intimidation. He looked to have been put out to pasture by the end of 2000, but before long he had been appointed captain for the 2001 tour to England. Initial results suggested that this was an inspired move, but in October 2002 he was at the helm as Pakistan crumbled to 59 and 53 all out against Australia in Sharjah. He managed to retain the job for the World Cup, but a disastrous tournament - Pakistan beat only Holland and Namibia - meant an unceremonious exit. Unable to force his way back into a side building for the future, he announced his retirement in April 2004. As a batsman, lusty blows were his staple, but Waqar batted with the air of a man who thinks he could have done better. The next stage of his career began in March 2006 when he was appointed as Pakistan's bowling coach, and he has also been a regular in the commentary box.

Waqar Younis

WAQAR YOUNIS- THE REVERSE SWING KING!!!!!!!!

Pakistan's Waqar Younis wants to play against India

Sunday 30 October 2011

Inzamam-ul-Haq Biography

Inzamam-ul-Haq Biography
Full name Inzamam-ul-Haq

Born March 3, 1970, Multan, Punjab

Current age 41 years 241 days

Major teams Pakistan, Asia XI, Faisalabad, ICC World XI, ICL Pakistan XI, Lahore Badshahs, Multan, National Bank of Pakistan, Rawalpindi, United Bank Limited, Yorkshire

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

Profile
Inzamam-ul-Haq is a symbiosis of strength and subtlety. Power is no surprise, but sublime touch is remarkable for a man of his bulk. He loathes exercise and often looks a passenger in the field, but with a willow between his palms he is suddenly galvanised. He plays shots all round the wicket, is especially strong off his legs, and unleashes ferocious pulls and lofted drives. Imran Khan rates him the best batsman in the world against pace. Early on he is vulnerable playing across his front pad or groping outside off stump. He uses his feet well to the spinners, although this aggression can be his undoing. Inzi keeps a cool head in a crisis and has succeeded Javed Miandad as Pakistan's premier batsman, but his hapless running between wickets is legendary and most dangerous for his partners. There were no such problems against New Zealand at a boiling Lahore in 2001-02, when Inzamam belted 329, the second-highest Test score by a Pakistani and the tenth-highest by anyone. However, he was then dogged by poor form, scoring just 16 runs in Pakistan's ill-fated World Cup campaign in 2003. He was dropped from the team briefly, but then roared back to form, scoring a magnificent unbeaten 138 and guiding Pakistan to a thrilling one-wicket win against Bangladesh at Multan. He was rewarded with the captaincy of the team, and despite leading them to victory in the Test series in New Zealand, question-marks about his leadership qualities surfaced when Pakistan were beaten in both the Test series and the one-dayers against India. But the selectors persevered with him and this bore results when he took a team thin on bowling resources to India and drew the Test series with a rousing performance in the final Test, Inzamam's 100th. After scoring a magnificent 184, Inzamam led the team astutely on a tense final day and took Pakistan to victory. Since that day, Inzamam has gone from strength to strength as captain and premier batsman. By scoring a hundred against West Indies in June 2005, he kept up a remarkable record of matchwinning centuries, amongt the best of modern-day batsmen. A magnificent year ended with Inzamam leading his team to triumph over Ashes-winning England; personally the series was arguably his best ever. He never failed to make a fifty, scored twin centuries at Faisalabad for the first time, going past Miandad as Pakistan's leading century-maker and joining him as only the second Pakistani with 8000 Test runs. As captain, he never looked more a leader, uniting a young, inexperienced team and turning them, once again, into a force to matter globally. The turn of the year brought contemplation; he missed the Test victory over India at Karachi with a persistent back injury. The subsequent ODI thrashing also raised concerns about Inzamam as ODI captain, none of which were entirely wiped away during ODI and Test wins in Sri Lanka. Pakistan were then beaten comprehensively in the Test series in England though all was forgotten - including Inzamam's own poor form - by events at The Oval. There, Inzamam, astonishingly for a man perceived as so insouciant, became the most controversial figure in cricket for a week, leading his side off the field in protest at charges of ball tampering made by umpires Billy Doctrove and Darrell Hair. They refused to come out at first, then delayed the start before eventually forfeiting the Test, the first time in the history of the game. In Pakistan, he became a national hero, saviour of a country's pride and honour. He was banned for four ODIs and returned to lead the side to a series-win over West Indies followed by a disappointing Test series in South Africa, and then quit the one-day game after Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup at the first hurdle, an event overshadowed by the death of Bob Woolmer. Even though he expressed his desire to be part of the Test team, Inzamam was not offered a central contract in July and, according to a few, might signal the end of his illustrious international career.

He, however, made that decision himself after signing up for the Indian Cricket League and faced a life-time ban from PCB. He later quit the ICL and made himself available for selection. The second Test against South Africa in Lahore was his farewell game. He fell just two short of Javed Miandad's record for the highest Test aggregate by a Pakistan batsman and 60 short of a career average of 50.

Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam Ul Haq 123 vs West Indies 3rd test 1993

Inzamam Ul Haq 148 vs England 1996 LORDS