The much derided, yet flamboyant ones - Pakistan's 10 greatest batsmen of all time

Pakistan Cricket: Filled with Panache There are three certainties in life – death, taxes and a Pakistani batting collapse. Historically, two of the most ridiculed aspects of cricket are Pakistani batting and Indian bowling.Pakistan’s national obsession is bowling, specifically extreme pace and swing. But for all their batting frailties, they have produced some excellent batsmen who have added flair and character to the green jersey.Here, we take a look at the most significant batsmen to have played Test and one-day cricket for Pakistan, in ascending order. This list is compiled purely on the basis of performances, statistics and general opinion of notable cricket experts, with priority given to the mettle shown in Test matches and World Cup cricket.

#10 Asif Iqbal

The eminent Hyderabadi wrist at work

Born in Hyderabad (India) wherein he learnt the art of batting, it was no surprise that the flair and grace stuck with Asif Iqbal when he migrated to Pakistan. His nimble feet movement and ambitious stroke-play were his selling points.

He also captained Kent in county cricket where his trademark cover drive became hugely popular. Iqbal captained Pakistan to the semifinals of the 1979 World Cup.

Statistics – Tests: 3,575 runs from 58 matches at an average of 39; ODIs: 330 runs from 10 matches at an average of 55.

#9 Misbah-ul-Haq

Nerves made of steel

An MBA graduate, Misbah applied most of his management skills into fashioning a resolute Pakistan team in Test Cricket. He was also an unflustered and calculated batsman who based his game on sturdiness.

He came into prominence as a lower order hitter in the inaugural World T20 in 2007. But since then he has led his team through chaos with a debonair smile and responded to his critics with some gritty batting performances.

Misbah often held the brittle middle-order together by combining calculated shot-making and a watchful defense. He holds the record for the joint fastest century in Test history with the legendary Vivian Richards.

Statistics – Tests: 4,000 runs from 58 matches at an average of 48; ODIs: 5,122 runs from 162 matches at an average of 43.

#8 Saeed Anwar

Marrying lucidity with eloquence

‘Regal’ and ‘luxurious’ are a couple of words to describe this electrifying opener from Karachi. With his imposing drives and ferocious cuts, Anwar was one of the most prominent batsmen in the 90s.

He smashed the bowlers to all parts in his celebrated 194 against arch rivals India at Chennai. He regularly provided quick fire starts to the innings and consistently went after the new ball bowlers with gusto.

Lack of footwork was his nemesis in challenging conditions outside the subcontinent. But he countered that with some brilliant hand-eye coordination.

Statistics – Tests: 4,052 runs from 55 matches at an average of 45; ODIs: 8,824 runs from 247 matches at an average of 39.

#7 Majid Khan

Not a care in the World

Another free-spirited opener who charmed the audience with his exquisite timing and graceful gait at the crease, Majid’s unassuming personality was juxtaposed with manic pulls and hook shots off good-length deliveries.

He was at his peak in the mid 70s, with his century before lunch against New Zealand and a jaw-dropping tour of West Indies, where he scored over 500 runs against the most potent and fearsome bowling attack in cricket history, standing out.

His aggressive nature fuelled his passion for instinctive stroke-play. He was also one of the earliest “walkers” in cricket.

Statistics – Tests: 3,931 runs from 63 matches at an average of 39; ODIs: 786 runs from 23 matches at an average of 37.

#6 Zaheer Abbas

The trapeze artist

Billed as the “Asian Bradman”, Zaheer Abbas was one of the most fluent and artistic batsmen ever seen, with suave footwork to match a ballet dancer.

Armed with a humongous appetite for runs and a classical technique, Abbas remains the only Asian batsman to score 100 first class centuries. The bespectacled wonder caught the eye of the purists with an imperious 274 in Edgbaston in seaming conditions.

He continued to score heavily with another double century at The Oval, and managed to quench his thirst further with a fine century at Adelaide, albeit against a weakened Australian bowling attack. His sumptuous drives through point and a penchant for huge scores made him a highly respected cricketer.

Statistics – Tests: 5,062 runs from 78 matches at an average of 45; ODIs: 2,572 runs from 62 matches at an average of 48.

#5 Hanif Mohammad

The old war-horse

The original “Little Master”, Hanif wrote his name in history books when he became the first Asian batsman to score a triple century in Test cricket courtesy his monumental 337 against West Indies at Bridgetown to save the match for his side. That is also, to this date, the longest recorded innings in the history of Test cricket.

Hanif popularized the sport in Pakistan alongside his good friend, Fazal Mahmood. He was renowned for never attempting to hit the ball in the air, and his vast concentration coupled with a doughty technique made him a household name in his country.

Statistics – Tests: 3,915 runs from 55 matches at an average of 44.

#4 Mohammad Yousuf

Fluent and flourishing

A prolific run getter with an appetite for batting long, Yousuf was the bulwark of the Pakistan middle-order for a long period of time. With an unusually high back-lift, the elegant batsman was a connoisseur’s dream when in full flow.

He broke Vivian Richards’ record for the most runs in a calendar year when he amassed over 1,700 runs with 9 centuries in 2006. The centerpiece of that season was the astonishingly successful tour of England, where runs flowed from his bat with the utmost ease.

One of the very few non-Muslims to represent Pakistan, he publicly converted to Islam. His craving for runs lasted till 2010, where he led the team to a winless tour of Australia.

Statistics – Tests: 7,530 runs from 90 matches at an average of 52; ODIs: 9,720 runs from 288 matches at an average of 42.

#3 Younus Khan

Committed to the cause

The modern day master contributed immensely to his team’s cause in the post-Inzamam era, where he was the spine of the Pakistan batting lineup in Test matches. Once he got his eye in, Younus was an unpretentious accumulator of runs.

He has a balanced record in all four innings of Test cricket, and his prowess and adaptability in the fourth innings are second to none. His ODI career though has been largely unfulfilled, with only sporadic performances to speak of.

Younus also led the team to the World T20 title in 2009. But it is as a Test match specialist that he is truly distinguished. His massive series against Australia in UAE helped Pakistan to a memorable series win.

Statistics – Tests: 8,814 runs from 101 matches at an average of 54; ODIs: 7,240 runs from 264 matches at an average of 31

#2 Inzamam-ul-Haq

Bursting on to the stage

A giant in every sense, Inzamam was perhaps the most naturally talented batsman to ever play for Pakistan. He shot into prominence with a breezy half-century against New Zealand in the 1992 World Cup, which sealed the team’s path to the final wherein they triumphed.

His languid style of batting was synonymous with Pakistan cricket in the 90s. Even though he contributed to many a comical run out with his hilarious running between the wickets, his bewitching and serene presence at the crease scarred many bowlers around the world.

Imran Khan, who introduced Inzamam into international cricket, rated him the finest player of pace bowling he had ever seen. And Inzamam did not disappoint his captain.

Statistics – Tests: 8,830 runs from 120 matches at an average of 49; ODIs: 11,739 runs from378 matches at an average of 40

#1 Javed Miandad

Fighting Fire with Fire

Statistically the greatest batsman that Pakistan have ever produced, Miandad was the street fighter par excellence. His gutsy determination and robust technique enabled him to consistently score runs all over the world.

Legend has it that Pakistani umpires could not adjudge him LBW as they would then face the wrath of the crowd in the ground.

Miandad reinvented batting in ODIs with his clinical precision in finding the gaps and running hard between the wickets. Never one to shy away from battle, he was the heart of the Pakistan team throughout his career.

Miandad’s career average did not drop below 50. And his batting too never dipped below the high standards that he had set. He scored consecutive centuries against West Indies in 1987, and critics rated that performance as one of the best in the sport’s history.

Statistics – Tests: 8,832 runs from 124 matches at an average of 52; ODIs: 7,381 runs from 233 matches at an average of 42.