The former Pakistani legendary batsman, Zaheer Abbas, has been introduced in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame updated by the International Cricket Council on Sunday.
He has joined the prior lists of Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. Joining the elite cricketers, it is the moment of appreciation for Zaheer.
Zaheer Abbas introduced in ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
“I feel privileged and truly humbled to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame of the class of 2020. I am excited to be in the midst of other illustrious cricketers,” said Zaheer.
Career achievements took from ARY Sports
- The only player from Asia to have scored at least a 100 first-class hundreds
- Became just the second player to score his hundredth first-class century in a Test Match
- He scored two centuries in the same first-class match on a record eight occasions
- On a record four occasions, he scored a double-century and a century in the same first-class match
- The first player to score three successive centuries in ODI cricket
- Spent 215 days as the No.1 ranked ODI batsman (1983-1984)
- Captained Pakistan in 14 Test Matches, and only lost one of them
- Later served as an ICC Match Referee and as ICC President
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani: “It is a matter of great honor and pride for Pakistan that Zaheer Abbas’s outstanding career achievements have been acknowledged by the game’s governing body. Thus, it gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Zed on behalf of millions of Pakistan cricket fans across the world for this recognition.”
“It is appropriate that Zaheer is inducted into the elite group exactly 46 years after his magnificent 240 against England at The Oval in his 15th Test, which was his second double-century following the famous 274 at Edgbaston in 1971 in only his second Test. He would go on to score 235 not out and 215 against India (1978 and 1982) and every innings was a treat to watch and matched the other.
“I am sure all those who watched Zaheer live in action will agree that when he batted, it was like poetry in motion. It was his immaculate footwork backed up by superlative wrist work with an ability to consistently bisect the field that not only made him a run-machine but also one of the most attractive and graceful batsmen ever to grace this great game.
PCB congratulates legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas on his induction in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Take a look at the highlights of Zaheer's glittering career.#ICCHallOfFame #AsianBradman pic.twitter.com/hJ8Ils2OVe
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 23, 2020
“Zaheer had a huge positive impact on Pakistan cricket. After he had established himself as a household name in every cricket playing country, the younger generation fell in love with the sport and consequently, we produced a battery of champion world-class batsmen such as Javed Miandad, Mudassar Nazar, Mohsin Khan, Saleem Malik, Ramiz Raja, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Aamir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam.
“Zaheer’s contributions to cricket were beyond the field of play when as an administrator, he served the PCB and the ICC with respect and dignity. He richly deserves this recognition from the ICC, which hopefully will further inspire the next generation of Pakistan cricketers.”
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???? Only Asian batsman to score 100 first-class centuriesAn icon of the sport! pic.twitter.com/SQ8FvEta9g
— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2020
