Pakistan Cricket Players: December 2011

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Shane Watson

Shane Watson Biography
Shane Watson is a professional Australian cricketer, who was born on June 17, 1981 in Ipswich, Queensland. Popularly known as “Watto” in the cricket world, he considers Terry Alderman, the former Australian cricketer, as his mentor and idolizes Steve Waugh, the Australian captain. Shane Watson is an all-rounder, who is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler.
Shane Watson made his Test debut for the Australian national team in January 2005 against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He was a member of the Australian squad for the 2006-07 Ashes series against England.
Shane Watson made his first One Day International (ODI) appearance for the Australian national team against South Africa on March 24, 2002 and has been a regular player of the squad since then. He remains as a bright prospect for the Australian team and has been declared as the next genuine all-rounder by Steve Waugh. After recovering from an injury, he displayed his bowling skills during the 2004-05 season. In the next season, Shane Watson was a part of the Australian team that lifted the 2006 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy for the first time defeating the West Indies. He made his presence felt during this campaign by performing impressively as an opening batsman and bowler. In the 2007 Cricket World Cup tournament, he made his mark by scoring 65 runs off 32 balls versus New Zealand. As of September 6, 2008 he has played in 72 ODI matches scoring 1263 runs at an excellent strike rate of 81.90 and has taken 70 wickets, his best being 4 for 39 runs.
Shane Watson made his international Twenty20 (T20I) debut for the Australian team against South Africa in Johannesburg on February 24, 2006.
Shane Watson kicked off his First-class cricket career by playing for Tasmanian Tigers and in 2001, he switched to his native team, the Queensland Bulls. He has also represented Hampshire in the English County Championship. He has secured 4377 runs and taken 112 wickets from 62 matches in First-class cricket as of March 9, 2008. Shane Watson made his domestic Twenty20 (T20) debut for Hampshire versus Essex on July 2, 2004 and has played thirty T20 matches scoring 766 runs

Shane Watson

Shane Watson 15 Sixes 185 in 96 Balls Against Bangladesh World Record Highlights

Shane Watson's belligerent 57 from 24 balls vs Sri Lanka 8th August 2011

Hansie Cronje

Hansie Cronje Biography
Hansie Cronje, was a tenacious cricketer who captained the South African cricket team at the tender age of 24 years. Leading South Africa to great success on the world stage, he was a very handy batsman and more than competent with the ball. He had excellent tactical skills and was able to lead his team to many wins against the best the world could offer. Having been banned for life from any involvement in cricket, as a result of his admission to accepting bribes from bookmakers, he will long be remembered as the only player to have had the guts to come clean and accept the consequences.
Born in Bloemfontein to parents Ewie (father) and San-Marie (mother) Cronje. He attended Grey College, a prestigious private boys school reserved mainly for the very affluent. Hansie, graduated as the head of his class after completing his matriculation (yr12).
Playing in a number of provincial cricket sides, he was selected as a representative for the all schools South African cricket team in both 1986-87. His major cricket debut was made in 1987, when he was selected as an all-rounder to represent Free State and at the age of 21, was made captain of the team. Whilst playing for Free State, he attended the local university in Blomfontein.
Hansie quickly developed as a cricketer of international quality and was selected to represent South Africa against the West Indies in 1991, when he was promoted to the national squad after having impressed the UCBSA selectors with his performances at the provincial level.
In 1994, aged just 24 years, he was made captain of the South African team and became the youngest person promoted to this position in over a century.
In 2000, Hansie was banned for life by the UCBSA, after he admitted to the King Commission of having accepted bribes from bookmakers during the previous few years.
As a result of his life ban, in 2001, he became the financial manager for an agricultural machinery company based in Johannesburg.
Cronje was killed on 1 June 2002, in a plane crash. He was the only passenger on a plane carrying cargo. He has now taken his palce alongside other legends of cricket past in that great cricket stadium in the sky.
He is survived by his wife Bertha, whose greatest wish was that the world would forgive the mistakes of Hansie and see him for the true person and champion he was

Hansie Cronje

Tribute to Hansie Cronje

Great Catch By Hansie Cronje

Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar Biography
July 10, 1949 at Bombay, Maharashtra), nicknamed Sunny, was a cricket player during the 1970s and 1980s for Bombay and India. He is considered one of the greatest opening batsmen in the sport's history.
He made a spectacular test debut in 1971 scoring 774 runs in his first test series against the West Indies helping India win for the first time in the Caribbean. From then until his retirement in 1987 he was a mainstay of the Indian batting line-up. In 1983 Gavaskar broke one of the oldest and most prestigious records in the game: Donald Bradman's 29 test centuries. As of 2004, Gavaskar still holds the record for the most number of test centuries (34) and is the only player to score centuries in each innings three times. Gavaskar was also the first batsman to reach 10,000 test runs and held the record for the most number of runs until it was broken by Allan Border.
Gavaskar was captain of the Indian team on several occasions in the late 70's and early 80's though here his record is more mixed. Often equipped with weak bowling attacks he tended to use conservative tactics which resulted in a large number of draws. Still he had several successes as captain especially a 2-0 victory over Pakistan in 1979 and a victory in the World Championhip of Cricket held in Australia in 1985. On the downside there was a heavy defeat against Pakistan in 1982 which cost him the captaincy for a while.
Overall he played 125 test matches and scored 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12. He scored 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries with a highest score of 236 not out.
His solid and defensive style of play was less suited to the shorter form of the game, at which he had less success. He famously scored an ignominous 36 not out carrying his bat through the full 60 overs in his ODI debut in 1974 against England. Overall he played 108 ODI matches and scored 3092 runs at an average of 35.13 with one century and 27 half-centuries and a highest score of 103 not out.
He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1980 and has also been awarded the Padma Bhushan. He has served as the Sheriff of Mumbai and is now a writer and commentator. He has written an autobiography, Sunny days. His son Rohan is also a cricketer who plays at the national level

Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar 172 vs Australia SCG 1985/86

Sunil Gavaskar v England 1986 (Cricket)

Glenn Mcgrath

Glenn Mcgrath Biography
Glenn McGrath is a former Australian cricketer born to Beverly and Kevin McGrath on February 9, 1970 in Dubbo, New South Wales. Nicknamed “Pigeon and Millard” in the cricketing circles, he is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a right-handed batsman, who possesses exceptional fielding skills.Glenn McGrath made his Test debut for Australia against New Zealand in Perth, on November 12, 1993. In 2004, he emerged as the first Australian fast bowler to play in 100 Tests. In the first innings of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Super Series Test match held in 2005, Glenn McGrath surpassed the record of Courtney Walsh to become the greatest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket. He completed his career as the most successful fast-bowler and the third highest wicket taker in Test cricket. In the Frank Worrell series against the West Indies, his scintillating hat-trick dismissed Sherwin Campbell, Brian Lara marking his 300th wicket, followed by the West-Indian captain, Jimmy Adams. Interestingly in an interview prior to the match, he mentioned the names of Sherwin Campbell and Brian Lara as targets for his 299th and 300th wickets respectively. Mike Atherton of England has been dismissed 19 times by Glenn McGrath, becoming the first batsman to be dismissed the most number of times by a single bowler in cricket history. On 23 December, 2006, Glenn McGrath announced his retirement from Test matches. He has played in 124 Test matches taking 563 wickets, his best bowling figures in a match being 10 for 27, at an excellent economy rate of 2.49.Glenn McGrath made his One Day International (ODI) debut on December 9, 1993 in Melbourne against South Africa. In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Glenn McGrath became the leading wicket taker in the World Cup history after picking 26 wickets. His splendid performance in the World Cup campaign won him the Player of the Tournament award. He retired from international cricket following his brilliant display in the successful 2007 Cricket World Cup. He has played in 250 ODIs picking 381 wickets, his career best being 7 for 15, at an economy of 3.88.Glenn McGrath made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Australia against New Zealand on February 17, 2005 in Auckland. He represented the team in two T20I matches during his career, 3 for 31 is his best in a T20I match. Glenn McGrath made his First-class debut during the 1992-93 season, when he played for Worcestershire in the 2000 English County Championship and a few matches for Middlesex in 2004. He has played in 189 First-class matches taking 835 wickets and has made 303 List A appearances picking 458 wickets. In the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008, Glenn McGrath was selected to be a part of the Delhi Dare Devils team. He was signed for $350,000 by the Delhi Dare Devils team. Glenn McGrath bowled 54 overs picking 12 wickets in the 2008 IPL and won the Man of the Match award for his brilliant performance against Bangalore Royal Challengers on April 30. Glenn McGrath displayed his best bowling against Bangalore Royal Challengers earning 4 wickets for 29 runs. Glenn McGrath has won several laurels, namely the prestigious Allan Border Medal 2000, Test Player of the Year -2000, One-Day International Player of the Year-2001, Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1998, Wisden Australia Cricketer of the Year during the season 1999 and 2005-06. He also holds the distinction of being the Member of the Order of Australia, Jan 2008. Glenn McGrath holds the seventh highest tenth wicket partnerships, and two tenth wicket partnerships. Apart from cricket, Glenn McGrath has established the McGrath Foundation to fund more breast care nurses in rural Australia and educate woman regarding breast cancer. He has authored the book The Glenn McGrath Barbecue Cookbook: Barbecue with the Master.

Glenn Mcgrath

Glenn Mcgrath reverse swinging yorker

Sachin Tendulkar Vs Glenn McGrath

Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar Biography
Born in Karachi on September 6th 1968, the Pakistan Captain Saeed Anwar
has become one of the best batsmen in the world through hard work, dedication
combined with his exceptional talent. He has a tremendous eye,
excellent timing, and makes use of his wrists better that any
other batsmen in the game. He can find the gaps at will, and more
often that not, a little push from Saeed simply races away to the
boundry. Strong on all sides of the wicket, Saeed’s favorite shot is
the cut shot, which he plays better than any other Pakistani batsmen.
Very strong on the off side, Saeed has the ability to play some
glorious cover drives that are an absolute delight to watch.
His off side shots are so good, that he is considered to be the
best off side player, among left handed batsmen in the world.
The reason for his immaculate off side play is because of his
sound technique. He is solid in defence, yet can destroy any
bowling attack in the world in a matter of minutes. His strength
in timing and the ability to play on the rise, combined with
excellent execution, makes him the best opener to ever come from
Pakistan…far ahead of the likes of Soahil,Raja,and the Mohammad
brothers.
As a first class cricketer, Saeed used to bat in the middle order
however once he made his ODI debut in Australia, he was thrust
into the opener’s role. He began opening the innings in domestic
cricket, and made his way back into the ODI side as a specialist
opener. Despite, having lost out on precious years due to politics
in the PCB, Saeed never lost hope. He made most of the limited
opportunity’s that Imran Khan gave him, yet he was over looked
for the likes of Shoaib Mohammad and Ramiz Raja…players who
never performed outside of Pakistan.
In 1993, Saeed created a new world record..he hit three back
to back ODI hundreds in Sharjah, a feat never before achieved by
any Pakistani player. He was now finally a permanant member of the
ODI side, under Wasim Akram. However, he was still not considered
for a test spot..once again a huge error by the selectors.
In 1994 however, Saeed finally got a chance to show his worth as
a test match plater. He hit a mammoth 169 in New Zealand and
combined it with some important half centuries in the rest of the
series. He had now proven his credentials as a solid test match
player with the temperment and ability to succeed at the level.
Since 1994, Saeed has played another 40 odd test matches, scored
over 3500 runs and averages 47.20. He is simply a brilliant player.
He is also the Captain of the Pakistan team. He has the ability to
lead from the front and become an excellent Captain, as time will
tell.
Saeed is an excellent team man and gets along extremely well with
his team mates, who have nothing but praise for him..as well as fans
and press alike. Saeed is also a Computer Engineer, and his wife
Lubna, is a doctor who takes care of him when he gets his regular
dose of flu:)
Pakistan’s best batsman..is a great asset to the game..and Inshallah
will continue to play for Pakistan…for years to come.

Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar's 194 vs India

Saeed Anwar 119 vs Australia 1999 GABBA

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram Biography
Wasim Akram has been one of the world's most spectacular cricketers of the past decade. A devastating match winner with bat and ball for both Pakistan and Lancashire, he is one of the select few to have taken more than four hundred Test wickets. He has also taken more wickets in limited-overs internationals than anyone else. Wasim Akram is undoubtedly the world's best all-rounder, able to turn the course of a game swiftly with his remarkable, explosive talents.

As the most high-profile cricketer in Pakistan, Wasim has faced more problems than most cricketers who play for their country. He talks openly about the difficulties which have plagued him, forcing him to give up the Pakistan captaincy in 1998. Wasim gives the facts about the bitter exchanges on the field that have soured relations between Pakistan and other countries over the years, including the row between England's captain Mike Gatting and a Pakistani umpire. He gives a detailed account of the tempestuous tour to England in 1992 and the subsequent allegations that he and other team- mates had been guilty of tampering with the ball
Wasim describes the extraordinary pressure on him, when he or his country fared badly. He tells of the time his parents had to flee their home after Pakistan had lost to India in a World Cup quarter-final, and how in 1998 he received death threats which put his career on hold.

Wasim also gives frank assessments of English cricket, particularly his relationship with Lancashire, and its most famous players such as Mike Atherton. There are also fascinating insights into the character of Wasim's mentor Imran Khan.

In this revealing autobiography, Wasim writes about the art of bowling, particularly the reverse swing, the style of fast bowling that he has perfected and so many try to emulate. There is also an illuminating contribution from Wasim's wife, Huma, a distinguished psychologist and hypnotherapist, describing how she helps her husband cope with the mental aspects of being such a high profile sportsman.

Few cricketers of Wasim Akram's stature manage to cope so calmly with such worldwide fame, and this book will enhance his deserved popularity among cricket fans all over the world.

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram- The King Of Swing !!

Wasim Akram 10 wickets vs New Zealand 3rd test 1984/85

Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad Biography
Javed Miandad was Pakistan’s enfant terrible and a batting warrior for Pakistan cricket. He became famous after hitting the winning six on the last ball of the match in the April 1986 match at Sharjah against the Indian bowler Chetan Sharma [ who no doubt was trying to bowl a Yorker , instead let loose with the famous ball type exemplified by the joke "umpire to batsmen taking guard – yes what do you want – batsmen – a full toss on the leg side" ]. This led many a Pakistani calling up their Indian friends on the phone and saying, " This is Miandad speaking ". His other memorable, gritty performances, and there are many, are documented in this delightful book which is a must for every South Asian cricket lover for a rainy day, weekend/ bedtime as well as a serious cricketer’s reading.

Miandad will always be remembered in the annals of Pakistan as not just a street fighting cricketer but a world class batsman and one whose understanding and deep knowledge of the game has led him to become the coach for the present Pakistan team. His current task [not an easy one] is to lead the Pakistani batting line-up out of the woods.

"Cuttting Edge" is his biography written with the help of his friend Dr. Saad Shafqat .For a cricket lover this is a gem of a book, describing how time and again, the Pakistan cricket team has been blessed with raw unknown outsiders who have made their mark in International cricket. From the anecdote of Wasim Akram, who bowled to him in the nets at Karachi in 1984 [ and was so green that he asked Miandad how much money he should take when he got selected for England] , to Miandad’s early childhood days playing street cricket in Ranchore Lines in Karachi [ using the secret weapon of a tennis ball wrapped up in plastic insulating tape to give extra bounce / swing ] and making his first Test hundred [ 163 ] in his first Test appearance in Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on October 9, 1976 against a pace attack of Hadlee [ which reduced Pakistan to 44 for 3] , this book is Miandad’s way of telling the story of his rise and rise from the humble streets of Karachi to the sophisticated cricket grounds of Lords in London.

Miandad writes endearingly of how his father [a cotton expert and grader at the Karachi Stock Exchange ] and his father’s best friend A.R.Mahmood [ who taught him to play straight bat in the V area between cover and mid-wicket in the early opening of an innings] became the influences of his boyhood cricket days as a batsman, although he would do everything – bowling off-breaks, and wicket keeping in school.

There are 23 Chapters , with a chapter on the "Sharjah" match with India , another one on "Wars with India" , his batting in the World Cup of 1992. There is one entitled " In search of 365 " [ how to get into the bowlers frame of mind and anticipate his next type of ball ] another entitled " Tit for Tat with the West Indies " [ 1987-88 when West Indies and Pakistan were at their peaks –with players such as Lloyd , Richards , Walsh , Ambrose, Marshall . In all these chapters what finally comes through is that Miandad fought for his mark as a world class batsman [ in the league of the top 10 - ]. There are places where Miandad gets stuck on a sticky issue , where he is at pains to show that there was no squabble between him and Imran Khan, but this is contradicted in another chapter called " Picking the gaps " where he rants and raves against the "Oxbridge complex ".

His apologies to Amarnath in the Jaipur match show his character. Many of his words make him come out as a God fearing humble human being. In fact what comes out of this book and this is what Miandad also says is that character is what makes a batsman. Miandad’s praise for other cricketers – especially Gavaskar, his sense of humor and his famous remark to an opposition bowler to provide him with his hotel room number for he wanted to dispatch the ball straight there. Miandad’s opinion on the best batsmen, bowlers are interesting insights into the extreme competition within the sport [ only 8 countries play this game - 4 from south Asia]. These are wonderful joyous words that make one feel the game of cricket is indeed a great game – slightly colonial in its five-day test series - and that South Asians know that and have produced masters such as Miandad.

Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad last ball sixer

Javed Miandad VS Dennis Lillee FUNNY