With the World Cup about to start, we have decided to look back at some of the most iconic players to have played the game.
Every era is has at least one truly great player and as we build up to the World Cup 2019, we celebrate these legends and take a look at the current flag-bearers of greatness.
Here, we have picked four players from Pakistan who have left their mark in the history books.
Click here for Australia, England, India and West Indies.
Imran Khan [1971-1992]
Imran Khan can lay claim to being one of the best all-rounders of all time, certainly the best cricketer in Pakistan’s history and above all, a natural leader. He remains the only captain to have led them to a World Cup title.
Dashing with the bat and a fast bowler par excellence, Khan was remarkably effective and consistent.
After a dismal show in the 1987 World Cup semi-final, the all-rounder announced his retirement from cricket. But the then president of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq persuaded him to make a comeback.
Just five years later, a 39-year old Khan led Pakistan to its first and only World Cup title. The veteran led a team of fighters to the summit, overcoming an in-form England in the final.
1992 World Cup
Matches: 8
Innings: 6
Runs: 185
Average: 30.83
Highest: 72
Iconic World Cup innings: 72 v England (Final, 1992)
Aamer Sohail and Rameez Raja – who were in great form – fell prey to Derek Pringle to hand England an early advantage in the final of the 1992 World Cup. Khan decided to take matters into his own hands and made 72 runs en route to a 139-run partnership with Javed Miandad. This captain’s knock helped Pakistan seal the title by 22 runs.
Wasim Akram [1984-2003]
The “Sultan of Swing” is considered by many as the best swing bowler in history. Known for his lethal swerve at pace, Akram formed a formidable duo with Waqar Younis and terrorised the best of batting line-ups at their peak.
Akram was a crucial part of Pakistan’s World Cup win in 1992 and went on to sustain his peak for quite some time. He was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
Akram took the reins and led Pakistan to the final of the 1999 World Cup but an overpowering Aussie side prevented them from reclaiming the trophy.
In the 2003 World Cup, the all-rounder became the first player in the world to reach 500 wickets in the 50-over format. He became the leading Test and ODI wicket-taker for Pakistan by the end of his career.
1992 World Cup
Matches: 10
Innings: 10
Wickets: 18
Economy rate: 3.76
Best: 4/32
Iconic World Cup effort: 4/32 against New Zealand (1992)
Pakistan faced a do-or-die match against New Zealand in the round-robin stage. A defeat and Australia’s potential win over West Indies would have sent them packing.
Akram rose to the occasion to power his team to a dominating win with a brilliant game with the ball. He registered fine figures of 4-32, removing Kiwi captain Martin Crowe and the dangerous Andrew Jones in the process.
Shahid Afridi [1996-2017]
An absolute destroyer with the bat and a decisive spinner with the ball, Shahid Afridi emerged during Pakistan’s golden era of world class all-rounders.
Although he was initially selected for his leg-spin, Afridi smashed the fastest century in ODI history in only his second game. This record stood for 17 years until New Zealand’s Corey Anderson broke it in 2014.
For all his memorable years with the Pakistan, he failed to make it count on the biggest stage until the twilight year of his career.
Afridi was the leading wicket-taker of the 2011 World Cup, although 10 of his 21 wickets came against Kenya and Canada.
Regardless of his poor record in the World Cup, Afridi has been one of the most beloved Pakistani cricketers and a true icon of the sport.
2011 World Cup
Matches: 8
Innings: 8
Wickets: 21
Economy rate: 3.62
Best: 5-16
Iconic World Cup effort: 5/16 against Kenya (2011)
As established, Afridi has been average in World Cups. He has no iconic performance to boast about but the 5-16 against Kenya could be considered as something close.
Babar Azam (2015-present)
The young Babar Azam is far from being a legend yet, but the promise he has shown tips him to be the torch-bearer of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.
In 2017, the then 22-year-old completed his fifth ton in just 25 innings to become the quickest to achieve the feat after Quinton De Kock.
Azam has displayed immense maturity and composure for someone so younh and is currently Pakistan’s batting mainstay.
The right-hander is yet to feature in a World Cup game, given he made his debut right after the 2015 World Cup. Anyhow, he will carry Pakistan’s hopes on his shoulders.
ODI STATS
Matches: 65
Innings: 62
Runs: 2739
Average: 51.68
Highest: 125
50s/100s: 12/9
