Like a roller coaster ride, Pakistan Cricket has seen many ups and downs. Always exciting, full of energy, highly talented, yet equally undisciplined and unpredictable – our boys keep fans glued to the TV, guessing every ball, and constantly praying for Pakistan.
Below is a list of proud Pakistani cricket moments, we know and remember, which are worth re-celebrating:
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Javed Miandad’s game-winning chakka against India in Sharjah
On April 18th 1986, Pakistan faced India in Sharjah in the Austral-Asia Cup. Pakistan won the toss and fielded first. India set a target of 246 runs. Pakistan’s chase was without significant partnerships, batsmen came and went, wickets fell regularly, but Miandad stuck around.
Source: Aliimmam.com
In the 49th over, Wasim Akram got run out, Zulqarnain got bowled out, Miandad turned furious, Tauseef Ahmed snuck a single, and with 4 runs needed in the last ball, Chetan Sharma’s attempted yorker turned into a full-toss, which Miandad scooped up over square leg for a game-winning SIX.
Our Players mastering, nay “inventing”, the Reverse Swing
The ball swings one way and then takes a sudden turn in the air. How do they do it?! Magicians with the ball. It all started with Salim Mir, further improved by Sarfraz Nawaz, adopted by Imran Khan, and completely mastered by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. How many reverse swinging yorkers have we seen Pakistanis bowl at opposition batsmen? Wickets knocked out and bails flying! From Shoaib Akhtar to Umar Gul, successive Pakistanis have all worked to emulate the masters of swing.
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The Doosra by Saqlain Mushtaq
Off-spinners all around the world have benefited from Saqlain Mushtaq’s new variation of “an off-spinners googly”, especially Saqqi’s first protege, Shoaib Malik, and subsequently, Saeed Ajmal. This deceiving delivery is now a mandatory requirement for all off-spinners, especially good to have in your repertoire for that game changing moment.
Source: MensXP
The 1992 World Cup
The moment was so iconic that Kaptaan has successfully leveraged his success in the field into rallying up support in the political arena.
Source: International Circket
Saeed Anwar’s 194 runs in ODI against India, in India!
Source: Mid Day
Not only is the score the 7th highest individual score in an ODI, ever, it is also special because India ki dhulayi India ja ke ki Saeed bhai ne.
Rawalpindi Express’ delivery of the fastest ball
Source: iDoosra
Shoaib bowled a delivery at 161.3 kmph, against England in world cup 2003.
2009 T20 World Cup
While we may not have repeated 1992 in the regular World Cup, we did manage to secure the cup in the T20 format. And all the credit goes to the boys 🙂
Source: iDoosra
The women and the blind cricketers
Our women have broken every barrier and gone on to make us proud everywhere. Even winning two back-to-back golds in the Asian Games.
Source: Cric Tale
And our blind cricket team are finalists in every Blind World Cup (1998, 2002, and 2006), winning in 2002 against South Africa, as well as finalists in Blind T20 World Cup in 2012.
Saeed Ajmal’s Teesra
While he may not have invented it but he brought into the news when in 2012 before Pakistan’s test match with England Ajmal announced he would start bowling the teesra. And he did not disappoint.
Source: iDoosra
Misbah ul Haq’s entrance into the Guinness Book of World Records
Misbah entered the book for the fastest century in test cricket – equaling the record previously set by Sir Vivian Richards.
Source: iDoosra
When Younis Khan became the highest test scoring batsmen
He made us proud, taking over the legendary Miandad’s record.
Source: ESPN Cricinfo
That time when cricket came come
Source: iDoosra
With Zimbabwe becoming the first international team in a very, very long time to play in Pakistan, 2015 couldn’t have been a more proud time for cricket fans of Pakistan.
And, finally…
When our players brought home the big 3 bhabis
Jemima (UK), Sania (India), Shaneira (Australia)
Source: iDoosra
While we may not, technically, have Jemima as our bhabi anymore but a qoum can dream, right.
We’re sure there are many more proud and memorable cricketing moments throughout Pakistan’s history; please share any moments we may have missed out on.
