2010-05-26T09:12:00.001-07:00

RICKY PONTING

Full Name: Ricky Thomas Ponting
Date of Birth: December 19, 1974
Place of Birth: Launceston, Tasmania
Marital Status: Married Rianna Jennifer Cantor in June 2002
Children: daughter, Emmy Charlotte, born on July 26, 2008
Parents: Graeme (played for Mowbray) and Lorraine (sister of Greg Campbell)

Siblings: Drew and Renee (both younger)

Ponting is the eldest of three children; he was born and raised in Launceston, Tasmania by parents Graeme and Lorraine. Ricky started playing cricket at age 7, and showed immediate promise. He was known to be rich in talent ever since he was 12 when he became the youngest person in the world to have a bat sponsor as he was signed by Kookaburra. Obviously people knew that in the future he would be a star. Ponting excelled in junior levels as he was already playing 1st/A Grade cricket when he was 12 and had made it into Youth State and National sides with ease.

SHOAIB AKHTAR

Wasim Akram

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wasim Akram

Personal information

Full name

Wasim Akram

Born

3 June 1966 (age 43)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Height

6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)

Batting style

Left hand bat

Bowling style

Left arm fast

Role

(All-rounder) bowler and batsman

International information

National side

Pakistan

Test debut (cap 102)

25 January 1985 v New Zealand

Last Test

9 January 2002 v Bangladesh

ODI debut (cap 53)

23 November 1984 v New Zealand

Last ODI

4 March 2003 v Zimbabwe

ODI shirt no.

Domestic team information

Years

Team

2003

Hampshire

2000-2001

Lahore

1997-1998

Lahore

1992-2002

Pakistan International Airlines

1988-1998

Lancashire

1986-1987

Lahore

1985-1986

Lahore

1984-1986

Pakistan Automobiles Corporation

Career statistics

Competition

Test

ODI

Matches

104

356

257

594

Runs scored

2898

3717

7161

6993

Batting average

22.64

16.52

22.73

18.90

100s/50s

3/7

0/6

7/24

0/17

Top score

257*

89*

Balls bowled

22627

18186

50278

29719

Wickets

414

502

1042

881

Bowling average

23.62

23.52

21.64

21.91

5 wickets in innings

10 wickets in match

Best bowling

7/119

5/15

8/30

5/10

Catches/stumpings

44/0

88/0

97/0

147/0

Source: CricketArchive, 11 January 2008

Wasim Akram (Punjabi, Urdu: وسیم اکرم; born 3 June 1966) is a former Pakistani left arm fast bowler and left handed batsman in cricket, who represented the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International matches.
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of One Day International wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling.^[1]^[2]^[3] The revolutionary nature of reverse swing initially resulted in accusations of ball tampering by cricket critics, although the skill of the reverse swing delivery has now been accepted as a legitimate features of ability in cricket. Akram's later career was also tarnished with accusations of match fixing by critics, although these remain unproven.
On 30 September 2009, Akram was one of five new members inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.^[4]

[hide]

Domestic career

Akram began his sporting career in Pakistan playing for several cricket clubs. However, like several other Pakistani cricketers during the 1980s, his talent was identified at club level and he was selected into the national side, completely bypassing any domestic First-class competition during that period.

International career

First-class cricket

In 1988 he signed for Lancashire County Cricket Club in England and went on to become their most successful overseas players. From 1988 to 1998, he opened their bowling attack in their ECB Trophy, Benson & Hedges Cup and National League tournaments. He was a favourite of the local British fans who used to sing a song called "Wasim for England" at Lancashire's matches. In 1998, with Akram as captain, Lancashire won the ECB Trophy and Axa League and finished second in the championship tournament despite losing only five matches in all competitions throughout the season. Apart from the National League second division title in 2003, this was the last time Lancashire won a trophy. ^[5]

Test cricket

Akram made his Test cricket debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in 1985 and in only his second Test match, he achieved 10 wickets in the match. A few weeks prior to his selection into the Pakistan team, he was an unknown club cricketer who had failed to even make it to his college team. He came to the trials at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in Pakistan, but for the first two days he did not get a chance to bowl. On the third day he got the chance and the observers around him saw the potential and was discovered by Javed Miandad and Akram was given an opportunity to play for Pakistan. Later that season he opened the bowling attack with Imran Khan, who became his teacher at the World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, when Pakistan played against the West Indies, Akram bowled to Viv Richards in the late overs of the innings but Richards, who is regarded as the best batsman during that period, struggled against Akram's bowling performances.
Akram's rise in international cricket was rapid during the late 1980s. When Pakistan toured the West Indies in 1988, he looked to be the fastest bowler between the two sides. However, a groin injury impeded his career in the late 1980s. Following two surgeries, he re-emerged in the 1990s as a fast bowler who focused more on swing and accurate bowling.

One Day International

Akram was a significant figure in the 1992 Cricket World Cup held in Australia, when Pakistan won the tournament. In the final against England, his batting performance during his innings of 33 runs off 19 balls, pushed Pakistan to a respectable score of 249 runs for 6 wickets. Akram then took the important wicket of Ian Botham early on the English batting innings and when brought back into the bowling attack later on, with the ball reverse swinging, he produced a devastating spell of bowling which led to Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis being bowled in successive deliveries in one over. His excellent performances earned him the Man of the Match award for the final.^[6]^[7]
He also captained Pakistan with some success. The high points of his captaincy was the 1996-1997 victory in the World Series Cricket in Australia, two Test match wins in India in 1998-1999 and in 1999, when Pakistan reached the 1999 Cricket World Cup final. The low point was the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Pakistan and India, when he had to pull out of the quarter final match against India, citing injury. After Pakistan's defeat, there were angry protests outside his home and riots across the country from angry fans who accused the team of throwing the match and a government inquiry was launched into the failure.
In 1999, he led Pakistan to the brink of victory in the World Cup before they capitulated and was defeated by Australia in the final, by eight wickets with almost 30 overs to spare. This was the start of the match fixing controversies, as critics believed Akram had set up the match for Australia. However, none of the allegations could be proved.
He was Pakistan's best bowler in the 2003 Cricket World Cup taking 19 wickets in 7 matches. However, Pakistan failed to reach the "Super Six" phase of the tournament and Akram was one of the eight players to be sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a result.
Akram was diagnosed with diabetes at the peak of his career, but despite the initial psychological blow, he managed to regain his form and went on to produce fine cricketing performances. Since then he has actively sought to be involved in various awareness-raising campaigns for diabetes.^[8]

Retirement

Akram retired from cricket in 2003 after playing for Hampshire County Cricket Club in England.^[9]

Skills in cricket

“	Over my 15 or 16 years of playing international cricket in Tests and One Day Internationals, Wasim Akram is definitely the most outstanding bowler I've ever faced.	”
— Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara.^[10]

An immensely talented player first discovered by former Pakistan batsman and captain, Javed Miandad, Akram played for his college team as an opening bowler and batsman. During his professional career he bowled with genuine speed and hostility. Akram possessed accurate control of line and length, accompanied by seam and swing bowling skills, who could bowl inswingers and outswingers in the cricket pitch. With a very quick bowling action, he could bowl equally well from both sides of the wicket. His mastery of reverse swing with the cricket ball, meant he was at his most dangerous towards a bowling innings and earned him the nickname of the "Sultan of Swing".
As well as often being able to find the edge of the bat, Akram would also focus his bowling attack on the stumps and had a particularly lethal inswinging yorker. Of his 414 Test wickets, 193 were taken caught, 119 were taken leg before wicket and 102 were bowled.^[11]^[12]^[13] In partnership with Waqar Younis, he intimidated international batsmen in the 1990s. Together Wasim and Waqar, known as "the two Ws" of the Pakistani team, were one of the most successful bowling partnerships in cricket.^[14]
Akram was also skilled with the bat and was regarded as a bowling all-rounder. He was especially effective against spin bowlers. However, he liked to slog and was criticised for his lack of high scores and giving away his wicket too cheaply for a player of his talent. He did silence his critics and the media in October 1996 when he scored 257 runs not out, of the team's total of 553 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. He also achieved good scores for the Pakistan team such as his 123 runs against Australia and his 45 runs not out to take Pakistan to victory in a low scoring match. He was also a valuable member to the Pakistan side, such as his match winning performance in the Nehru Cup, when needing six runs and two balls to win the match; he hit the first delivery he faced for six runs and secured the cup.

Award and records

Akram was awarded Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1993 for his sporting achievements.

In his Test career, Akram took 414 wickets in 104 matches, a Pakistani record, at an average of 23.62 and scored 2,898 runs, at an average of 22.64.^[15]

In One Day Internationals, Akram took 502 wickets in 356 appearances, at an average of 23.52 and scored 3,717 runs, at an average of 16.52.^[2]

Akram was the first bowler in international cricket to take more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game and only Muttiah Muralitharan has since achieved this.^[2]^[15]

Akram also held the record for the most wickets in Cricket World Cups, a total of 55 in 38 matches. Australia's Glenn McGrath broke the record during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, ending with a final tally of 71 from 39 matches.^[16] On passing Wasim's record, McGrath said, "Wasim Akram, to me, is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Left-armer, swung it both ways with the new ball and he was so dangerous with the old ball. To go past him is something I will always remember. Probably the other side of the coin is that if you play long enough, you're going to break records here and there."^[17]

Akram took four hat-tricks in international cricket, two each in Tests matches and One Day Internationals. He is the only bowler in cricket to have achieved four hat-tricks. He is also one of only three bowlers to have taken two Test cricket hat-tricks, the others being Hugh Trumble and Jimmy Matthews. Akram is also one of only three bowlers to have taken two One Day International cricket hat-tricks, the others being Pakistan offspin bowler, Saqlain Mushtaq and Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas. Akram's Test hat-tricks are significant, since they were taken in consecutive Test matches in the same series, a game played against Sri Lanka in the 1998-99 Asian Test Championship. Akram is also one of only two bowlers to have taken both a Test match and One Day International hat-trick, the other being Pakistan fast bowler, Mohammad Sami.^[18]^[19]

Playing in a Test series against the West Indies at Lahore in 1990-1991, he became one of only six players to have taken four wickets in an over during a Test match. In Akram's case, these achievement was not part of a hat-trick, the third ball he delivered to the batting oppostion was a dropped catch, which allowed a single run.^[20]^[21]

Akram has also achieved the highest score by a number eight batsman in Test cricket when he scored 257 runs not out from 363 balls against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. The innings contained 12 sixes which is also a world record for Test cricket.^[22]^[23]

He also has the third highest number of Man of the Match awards in Test cricket, with seventeen.^[24]

He has scored the record number of runs in One Day International matches by a player who has never scored a One Day International hundred. His highest score was 86 runs.^[25]

Cricket controversies

In 1992, after he had been successful against the English batsmen, accusations of ball tampering began to appear in the English media, though no video evidence of foul play was ever found. Akram and Younis had been able to obtain prodigious amounts of movement from both new and old cricket balls. The skill of the reverse swing delivery was relatively unknown in England and around the cricketing world during that period.
A far larger controversy was created when he was alleged by critics, of being involved in match fixing. An enquiry commission was set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board headed by a Pakistan high court judge, Malik Mohammad Qayyum. The judge wrote in his report that:^[26]

This commission feels that all is not well here and that Wasim Akram is not above board. He has not co-operated with this Commission. It is only by giving Wasim Akram the benefit of the doubt after Ata-ur-Rehman changed his testimony in suspicious circumstances that he has not been found guilty of match-fixing. He cannot be said to be above suspicion.

Media career

Since retiring from cricket, Akram has worked and taken up commentary for television networks and can currently be seen as a sports commentator for ESPN Star Sports, ARY Digital and among others. He commentated on a variety of sporting tournaments including the 2009 Women's Cricket World Cup match between Australia v India in a Super Six Match held in Australia, the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England, the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa and among others. He has also worked as a bowling coach in cricket.

Personal life

Akram was educated in Islamia College in Lahore in Pakistan. He was married and has two children,^[27] On 25 October 2009, Akram's wife died of multiple organ failure at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, India.^[28]

References

^ Wasim Akram. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c ODI Career Bowling - Most Wickets. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ List A Limited-Overs Most Wickets in Career. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ "Sutcliffe, Grimmett, Trumper, Wasim and Waugh new inductees into Cricket Hall of Fame". http://www.thesportscampus.com/200909302215/news-bytes/new-inductees-icc-hall-of-fame.
^ Cricinfo staff (18 September 2007). "Lancashire on the brink of history". Cricinfo.com. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/countycricket2007/content/story/311431.html. Retrieved on 11 October 2008.
^ Double jeopardy. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Benson & Hedges World Cup - Final, England v Pakistan. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Dealing With Diabetes. Newsline. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ "Player / Pakistan / Wasim Akram". ESPN cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/43547.html.
^ Lara rates Akram better than McGrath. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Tests - Most Wickets Taken Caught. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Tests - Most Wickets Taken LBW. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Tests - Most Wickets Taken Bowled. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Home truths, and the greatest fast-bowling pairs. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ ^a ^b Test Career Bowling - Most Wickets. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ World Cup Bowling - Most Wickets. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Pigeon v Wasim - who's the best?. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ Hat Tricks in Test Matches. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ One Day Internationals - Hat Tricks. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Four wickets in an over, and who's the Cockroach?. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Pakistan v West Indies, 1990/91, 3rd Test. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Tests - Highest Score at Each Batting Position. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Tests - Most Sixes in an Innings. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ Tests - Most Man of the Match Awards. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ "Records / One Day Internationals / Batting records / Most runs in a career without a hundred". ESPN cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284205.html.
^ Justice Qayyum's Report. Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2007.
^ The Sultan swings by. Toronto Star. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
^ "Pakistan / News - Akram's wife dies at the age of 42". ESPN Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/431079.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by Aamer Sohail	Pakistan Cricket Captain 1999-2000	Succeeded by Moin Khan
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Curtly Ambrose	Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 1992	Succeeded by Shane Warne

[show] v • d • e Bowlers who have taken 400 Test wickets

Muttiah Muralitharan • Shane Warne • Anil Kumble • Glenn McGrath • Courtney Walsh • Kapil Dev • Richard Hadlee • Shaun Pollock • Wasim Akram • Curtly Ambrose

[show] v • d • e Bowlers who have taken 5 wickets in a Test innings 25 times or more

Muttiah Muralitharan • Richard Hadlee • Anil Kumble • Shane Warne • Ian Botham • Wasim Akram • Glenn McGrath

[show] v • d • e Test Cricketers who have scored 2000 runs and taken 200 wickets

Andrew Flintoff (ENG) 69 Tests · Anil Kumble (IND) 110 · Chaminda Vaas (SL) 82 · Chris Cairns (NZ) 58 · Daniel Vettori (NZ) 69 · Garfield Sobers (WI) 80 · Ian Botham (ENG) 42 · Imran Khan (PAK) 50 · Jacques Kallis (SA) 102 · Kapil Dev (IND) 50 · Richard Hadlee (NZ) 54 · Richie Benaud (AUS) 60 · Shane Warne 100 · Shaun Pollock (SA) 56 · Wasim Akram (PAK) 78

[show] v • d • e Bowlers who have taken 400 One-Day International wickets

Wasim Akram • Muttiah Muralitharan • Waqar Younis • Chaminda Vaas

istan squad – 2003 Cricket World Cup

**Inzamam-ul-Haq**
Personal information

Born	3 March 1970 (1970-03-03) (age 40) Multan, Pakistan
Nickname	Inzy
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Batting style	Right-hand
Bowling style	Slow left-arm orthodox
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	Pakistan
Test debut (cap 124)	4 June 1992 v England
Last Test	8 October 2007 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 158)	22 November 1991 v West Indies
Last ODI	21 March 2007 v Zimbabwe
ODI shirt no.	8
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2008	Lahore Badshahs (ICL)
2007	Hyderabad Heroes (ICL)
2007	Yorkshire
2006–2007	Water and Power Development Authority
2001–2002	National Bank of Pakistan
1998–1999	Rawalpindi
1996–2001	Faisalabad
1988–1997	United Bank Limited
1985–2004	Multan
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	120	378	245	458
Runs scored	8,830	11,739	16,785	13,746
Batting average	49.60	39.52	50.10	38.07
100s/50s	25/46	10/83	45/87	12/97
Top score	329	137*	329	157*
Balls bowled	9	58	2,704	896
Wickets	0	3	39	30
Bowling average	–	21.33	33.20	24.66
5 wickets in innings	0	0	2	0
10 wickets in match	0	n/a	0	n/a
Best bowling	0/8	1/0	5/80	3/18
Catches/stumpings	81/–	113/–	172/–	128/–
Source: CricketArchive, 20 September 2008

Inzamam-ul-Haq (Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu: انضمام الحق) (born 3 March 1970^[1] in Multan, Punjab Province, Pakistan), also known as Inzamam, nicknamed Inzy or the Sultan of Multan, is a former Pakistan international cricketer who was national captain between 2003 and 2007. He is a right-handed batsman who has been regarded as one of the leading cricketers from Pakistan in modern times.
On October 5, 2007, Inzamam retired from International cricket following the second Test match against South Africa, falling three runs short of Javed Miandad as Pakistan's leading run scorer in Test cricket. Following his retirement, he joined the Indian Cricket League, captaining the Hyderabad Heroes in the inaugral edition of the Twenty20 competition. In the ICL's second Twenty20 competition he captained the Lahore Badshahs, a team composed entirely of Pakistani cricketers.

[hide]

Career

One Day International cricket

Inzamam made his One Day International (ODI) debut in a home series against West Indies in 1991, and made a good start with 20 and 60 in two matches against West Indies, followed by 48, 60, 101, and 117 against Sri Lanka.
Handpicked by former Pakistan captain Imran Khan for the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, 22-year-old Inzamam was relatively unheard of before the tournament. To the surprise of many he was persevered with throughout the tournament, coming in at various positions in the batting line-up, despite not being very successful early on. Yet it was his performances at the most crucial stage of the competition that made fans and summarisers take note. Inzamam rose to fame in Pakistan's dramatic semi-final against New Zealand at Auckland. With his side in a precarious position, chasing 262, against an impressive New Zealand side, he hit a fiery 60 from only 37 balls to rescue his side and guide them into the final^[2]^[3] The innings was regarded as one of the finest World Cup performances.^{[citation needed]} A massive six he hit in that match was described by David Lloyd as the shot of the tournament.
Inzamam made an equally vital contribution in the final of the World Cup, scoring 42 off just 35 balls, helping Pakistan reach a score of 249 after a sluggish start.^[4] These innings established Inzamam's billing as a big-game player, although he was unable to replicate his World Cup success in later tournaments. Another World Cup career highlight included a semi-final innings in the 1992 World Cup.
In total, Inzamam set a record for scoring the most fifties in One Day Internationals, 83 – though this is now surpassed by Sachin Tendulkar.^[5] He also became the second batsman to score 10,000 runs in One-day Internationals (again after Tendulkar) and was named in the World Team XI for both Test and One-day Internationals in the 2005 ICC Awards. In his final ODI for Pakistan, playing Zimbabwe in the 2007 Cricket World Cup, he took three catches whilst fielding, including the last one of the match, ending his One Day career.^[6]

Test cricket

He got little opportunity to make an impact during his 1992 Test debut against England at Edgbaston, with a score of eight not out. However, in subsequent matches he demonstrated a vulnerability against swing bowling which resulted in him being dropped for the final Test after averaging a lowly 13.20 runs per innings. Pakistan went on to secure a famous win in the match, taking the series 2-1.^{[citation needed]}
After the England series, Inzamam aimed to establish himself in the Test side and he achieved this successfully, helping the side to many memorable victories.^{[citation needed]} One of particular note came against Australia in Karachi, 1994. He often batted with the tail and his 58* helped Pakistan to a one-wicket victory and a 1-0 series win. As well as helping his side to become the top-ranked side in the world for a brief period he achieved personal success by becoming the ICC's number one ranked batsmen in 1995^[7] He later went on to reclaim top spot in the rankings in 1997. He remained amongst the top 20 ranked batsmen up until his retirement. He was the number one batsman in the world three times as well as the three batsman several times in his career,^[8] the last time being after his twin fifties at Lords against England in 2006.^[9] The tour of England in 1996 was a particular success for both Inzamam and Pakistan, where Inzamam transformed his batting against seam bowling, averaging 64, with scores of 148, 70, 65, and 35.
Test career highlights include 329 against New Zealand in Lahore in 2001-02 season, and the second highest Test score by a Pakistani and the twelfth highest overall. He also scored a century (184) in his 100th Test, becoming only the fifth player to do so (after Colin Cowdrey, Alec Stewart, Gordon Greenidge and Javed Miandad; Ricky Ponting subsequently emulated the feat). Inzamam got a century in each innings of the second Test match against England in 2005, to become Pakistan's leading centurion with 24 centuries, breaking Javed Miandad's record, and his 25th century in the 2nd Test against India on 22 January 2006 made him the 10th player to score 25 or more centuries. He also managed 138* while facing a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh, eventually saving the Test match and leading his team to victory. He scored a century against the West Indies in 2005. His 92* against South Africa in late 2006 showed his ability to bat in a crisis again in a match winning effort.^[10] He scored twin half centuries when all appeared lost to draw the first test in Mohali against India in 2005,^[11] and also scored a 184 (in his 100th test match)^[12] in the same away series and drew the series.^[13] He still holds the record for most consecutive half centuries against one country with nine in nine innings against England. This streak started from May 31, 2001 to July 13, 2006.^[14] He scored a century and half century at Lords in 1996.^[15] His 118 against Australia in Hobart all but won the test for Pakistan but Adam Gilchrist's match winning 149 not out was the difference.^[16] His average in matches won is second only to Donald Bradman and Kumar Sangakara.^[17] After announcing his retirement after the second Test against South Africa, at the stadium where he made his international debut,^[18] Inzamam needed 20 runs to surpass Javed Miandad for the record of most runs for a Pakistani Test cricketer.^[19] After falling for 14 in the first innings, he was dismissed for 3 in his final innings by Paul Harris, out stumped,^[20] leaving him three runs shy of the record. He needed only 70 more career runs for a batting average of 50.

County Cricket

Inzamam made his debut in English county cricket in August 2007 at the age of 37. He joined Yorkshire County Cricket Club as a replacement for Younus Khan who left to play for Pakistan in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20. He was disappointing on the whole, making eight on debut at Scarborough's North Marine Road against Warwickshire before making nine and seven in his opening Pro40 games.

Indian Cricket League

In 2007, Inzamam joined the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League. In the inaugural competition, Inzamam captained the Hyderabad Heroes and scored 141 runs in 5 matches. In the 2008 competition in March, Inzamam captained the Lahore Badshahs, composed entirely of Pakistani cricketers.
The move to the ICL has proved to be a controversial one for Inzamam. The PCB's stance on players joining unsanctioned leagues has meant that he has been banned from playing in any domestic competitions in Pakistan or any involvement with the international team.^[21] However, given Inzamam's recent retirement, this is unlikely to affect him.
It is reported that he was paid PK Rs. 10 Crore (US $1,100,000) which was the highest salary for any player participating in the league along with the likes of Brian Lara

Playing style

“	I think Inzamam is as talented as Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar but little does he realise his true talent	”
— Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan.^[22]

Inzamam has been known to be a very destructive batsman in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches. He has the ability to pick the length of a delivery very early and play very late. His footwork is generally considered to be fast, enabling him to position himself early for shots. He averaged just under 50 runs per innings in Tests and nearly 40 runs in ODIs, with a strike rate of 54.03 and 74.23 respectively. Inzamam is especially strong playing shots off his legs and has been considered to be amongst the best employers of the pull-shot in world cricket.
His batting style has brought him fans from all over the world. He was called "the best batsmen in the world against pace" by Imran Khan, because "he seems to have so much time on his hands before the ball reaches him".
Inzamam does, however, have a reputation for being a poor runner between wickets. He has the dubious distinction of being run-out the second highest number of times in ODIs having been run-out 40 times [behind Marvan Atapattu (41 times)].

Captaincy

File:INZAMAM UL HAQ.jpg

Inzamam in 2005

Inzamam captained Pakistan in 25 Tests, winning eight, drawing eight and losing nine. Only three players have captained Pakistan in more Test matches, but all have better win-loss records, and only Imran Khan has a lower win percentage than Inzamam. However, Inzamam held the captaincy until March 2007, the longest captaincy tenure since 1992 when Imran Khan retired.
Captaincy had a positive effect on Inzamam's batting, often leading by example in pressure situations, averaging greater as a captain (52) than without (50). In ODI's Inzamam used to have the highest average as captain^[23] and is currently second on that list behind Ricky Ponting. After early failures in Australia, he took a depleted Pakistan side to India in 2005 and was important in securing a draw, winning the final test match from an unlikely position with 184*. He subsequently lead his side to an ODI success against West Indies (away), England (home) and Sri Lanka (away) as well as Test Series victories against England (home), India (home), Sri Lanka (away). Inzamam had seemed to have united the Pakistan side and victories lead them to 2^nd place in the ICC Test Rankings and 3^rd place in the ICC ODI Ranking. The latter part of Inzamam's tenure as Pakistan captain was less successful and the team was embroiled in many controversies culminating in a disappointingly early exit from the 2007 Cricket World Cup at the hands of lowly ranked Ireland.
In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Inzamam captained the Pakistani team to its first loss to associate ICC member Ireland (on St Patrick's Day). This result and their previous loss to West Indies, led to them being knocked out of the tournament. A day later he announced his retirement from One Day International Cricket and resignation as Test captain. The announcement was made the same day that Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, died in his hotel room in Kingston, Jamaica. He dedicated his final ODI to Woolmer to whom he shared a good relationship with for three years and affectionately called 'The Bob'.

Inzamam-ul-Haq's career performance graph.

Test centuries

Test Centuries by Inzamam-ul-Haq
	Runs	Against	Year	Test #
1	123	West Indies	1993	1222
2	135*	New Zealand	1994	1249
3	100*	Sri Lanka	1994	1267
4	101	Zimbabwe	1995	1290
5	148	England	1996	1330
6	177	West Indies	1997	1389
7	200*	Sri Lanka	1999	1450
8	118	Australia	1999	1469
9	138	Sri Lanka	2000	1489
10	135	West Indies	2000	1494
11	112	Sri Lanka	2000	1501
12	142	England	2000	1521
13	130	New Zealand	2001	1536
14	114	England	2001	1547
15	105*	Bangladesh	2001	1560
16	329	New Zealand	2002	1600
17	112	Zimbabwe	2002	1625
18	138*	Bangladesh	2003	1658
19	118	India	2004	1695
20	117	Sri Lanka	2004	1719
21	184	India	2005	1743
22	117*	West Indies	2005	1754
23	109	England	2005	1772
24	100*	England	2005	1772
25	119	India	2006	1782

Controversies

Toronto incident

In a 1997 Sahara Cup match against India, Inzamam assaulted a member of the crowd, Shiv Kumar Thind, a Canadian-based Indian, who had been comparing Inzamam to several kinds of potato, on a megaphone.^[24] According to eye witnesses a cricket bat was brought out by the Pakistan team's 12th man, Mushtaq Ahmed, who then waited at the boundary with the bat. Television replays confirmed those statements. The Guardian newspaper quoted another eyewitness as saying "If not for the spectators and security staff curbing him, he would have broken the head of that guy. The guy with the megaphone was no match for Inzamam and got mauled. Even when Canadian police took Inzamam back on to the field, he was trying to get back to the stands."^[24]
After reviewing footage of the incident Canadian police arrested Inzamam and charged him with two counts of assault and one of assault with a deadly weapon.^[25] He was released on bail of $3,000. Two days after Inzamam was charged, the Pakistan team lodged a formal complaint, to the 32nd Division of the Metropolitan police in Toronto against Thind, claiming that Thind had thrown his megaphone at Inzamam.^[26] Both Inzamam and Thind eventually dropped the charges against the other. Match referee Jackie Hendriks, banned him for two ODIs with a suspended ban of one further game.^[27]

Oval test incident

On Pakistan's 2006 tour of England, Inzamam captained a team that refused to re-enter the field, after tea, on 20 August 2006 at The Oval after allegations of ball tampering from umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove. The umpires awarded England five penalty runs and the choice of a replacement ball, after ruling that Pakistan had illegally altered the ball.
Inzamam and his team staged a protest at the decision. During the protest the umpires, having tried to persuade Inzamam to come out of the dressing room, decided that the match could not continue. Upon returning to the field with his team, only to find both the England team and the umpires absent, Inzamam was informed of this situation. After further discussions between both teams, umpires and cricket board officials it was eventually agreed that the match could not be restarted. Thus, Inzamam became the first captain in history to forfeit a Test match. Inzamam was later charged with tampering with the ball and bringing the game into disrepute (the latter charge associated with the teatime protest),^[28] although he strenuously denied the charges. On September 28, 2006 the allegations of ball-tampering were dismissed, however he was found guilty of bringing cricket into disrepute and given a four match One-Day International ban with immediate effect.^[29]
The Pakistan Cricket Board later blamed Inzamam for the Oval Test forfeiture; adding that the forfeited match had made the board susceptible to a claim of £800,000 by the ECB as compensation. However, later on, the result of the Oval Test was changed by the ICC and called a draw. This was yet again overturned after the MCC stated the ICC could not do this and was changed to an England win.

Inzamam's disciplinary record is as follows:
1. v India at Toronto, September 14, 1997 - assaulted a spectator. Banned for two one-day internationals, suspended ban of one further match.
2. v South Africa at Newlands, April 23, 1998 - dissent at umpire's decision. Fined 50 percent of match fee, with a suspended ban of one limited overs match.
3. v Sri Lanka - March 12–16, 2000 at Karachi - criticising the attitude of the Sri Lankan players. Received severe reprimand.
4. v West Indies - May 25–29, 2000 in Antigua, West Indies - dissent over umpiring decision. Fined 50 percent of match fee.
5. v England - June 23, 2001 at Lord's - showing dissent at the umpire's decision. Fined 50 percent of match fee and suspended for two one-day internationals.
6. v India, March 16, 2004 at Rawalpindi - conduct contrary to the spirit of the game. Fined 50 percent of match fee.
7. v West Indies - February 1, 2005 at Perth - for not controlling his players as captain. Fined 100 percent of match fee.
8. v India - March 24–28, 2005 at Bangalore - showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse. Fined 30.5 percent of match fee.
9. v India - March 24–28, 2005 at Bangalore - charging or advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing. Banned for one Test match.
10. v India - April 5, 2005 at Visakhapatnam - abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings. Reprimanded.
11. v England - August 17–21, 2006 at the Oval - bringing the game into disrepute. Banned for four ODIs.
12. v Ireland - March 17, 2007 at Jamaica - failure to ensure that his team met the minimum over rate requirements. Fined 50% of match fee.

References

^ http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/40570.html
^ New Zealand v Pakistan– Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2007]
^ Inzi announces his arrival– Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2007]
^ England v Pakisatan– Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2007]
^ "Statistics / Statsguru / One-Day Internationals / Batting records". CricInfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
^ "17th Match, Group D: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at Kingston, March 21, 2007 / Scorecard". CricInfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/247473.html. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
^ Inzamam-ul-Haq Batting Test Ranking Statistics–International Cricket Council. Retrieved 23 August 2007]
^ http://www.iccreliancerankings.com/playerdisplay/test/batting/?id=1984&graph=ranking
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/story/253827.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/rsavpak/content/story/277284.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/statsguru/content/story/146066.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/statsguru/content/story/146419.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/288999.html
^ http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/40570.html?class=1;opposition=1;template=results;type=batting;view=innings
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153536.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154004.html
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/pakvrsa/content/story/315169.html
^ "Inzamam prepares for final battle". Cricinfo. 2007-10-07. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakvrsa/content/story/314147.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
^ "Inzamam to retire after Lahore Test". Cricinfo. 2007-10-05. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakvrsa/content/story/313757.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
^ "2nd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Lahore, October 8–12, 2007". Cricinfo. 2007-10-12. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakvrsa/engine/current/match/299005.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
^ Domestic cricket ban for Inzamam–BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2007
^ Funny man Inzamam–BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2007
^ http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/211234.html
^ ^a ^b Cricinfo - Inzamam and the Canadian aloo
^ page 24
^ Thind held, to appear in court on October 8
^ Rediff On The NeT: Inzamam update
^ Inzamam charged in test ball-tampering row–The Independent. Retrieved 23 August 2007
^ Disrepute ban for skipper Inzamam–BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2007

[edit] External links

Preceded by Rashid Latif	Pakistani national cricket captain 2003/4-2007	Succeeded by Shoaib Malik

Shahid Afridi

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**Shahid Afridi**
Personal information

Full name	Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi
Born	1 March 1980 (1980-03-01) (age 30) Khyber Agency, FATA, Pakistan
Nickname	Lala, Boom Boom, Akhrot (Walnut)
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right arm leg-spin
Role	All rounder
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2010–present	Hampshire
2009–present	South Australia
2008–present	Deccan Chargers
2007–present	Sind
2006	Ireland
2004	Kent
2003–04	Griqualand West
2003	Derbyshire
2001	Leicestershire
2001	Marylebone Cricket Club
1997–2008	Habib Bank Limited
1995–present	Karachi
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	26	288	109	378
Runs scored	1,683	5,830	5,598	8,478
Batting average	37.40	23.13	31.80	25.23
100s/50s	5/8	4/30	12/30	6/49
Top score	156	109	164	114
Balls bowled	3,092	12,075	13,391	16,110
Wickets	47	269	257	371
Bowling average	34.89	34.53	27.05	33.42
5 wickets in innings	1	3	8	5
10 wickets in match	0	n/a	0	n/a
Best bowling	5/52	6/38	6/101	6/38
Catches/stumpings	10/–	97/–	75/–	118/–
Source: CricketArchive, 14 November 2009

Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (Pashto: صاحبزاده محمد شاهد خان افریدی, Urdu: صاحبزادہ محمد شاہد خان آفریدی) (born 1 March 1980 in Khyber Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas)^[1], popularly known as Shahid Afridi (Pashto: شاهد ‏افریدی) is a Pakistani cricketer currently playing for the Pakistani national team in the international circuit. He made his ODI debut on 2 October 1996 against Kenya in Nairobi^[2] and his Test debut on 22 October 1998 against Australia at Karachi.^[3]
He is known for his aggressive batting style, and currently holds the highest career strike rate in the history of international cricket. In a recent survey, Afridi was named as the most popular cricketer in Pakistan.^[4] He also holds the record for the fastest one day century which he made in his debut innings,^[5]^[6] as well as scoring 32 runs in a single over, the second highest scoring over ever in an ODI.^[7]

[hide]

Family

Afridi is from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas near the Afghan Border and hails from a Pashtun family.^[1]

Playing style

Batting

His general style of batting is very aggressive and attack oriented and has earned him the nickname "Boom Boom Afridi" for his fastest One Day International century just in 37 balls.^[8] As of 21 February 2010, he has an ODI strike rate of 111.65 runs per 100 balls, the highest in the game's history. This attitude has been transferred to Test cricket as well, with Afridi scoring at a relatively high strike rate of 86.13 in Tests. He has an approach to batting that can change the tempo of a game and inspire the mood of an audience, as shown when a mass exodus of spectators occurred in Pakistan in late 2005 following his dismissal from the crease. He hits many sixes long and high, favoring straight down the ground or over midwicket. A trademark shot is a cross-batted flick to the leg-side to a ball outside off stump.^[9] This explosive style has led to some memorable shots, most notably the first ever 12 in power cricket in 2002, where Afridi successfully hit the roof.^[10] However, his aggressive style increases his risk of getting out and he is one of the most inconsistent batsmen in cricket. This is reflected by the fact that he is the only player to score more than 5000 ODI runs at an average under 25.^[11]

Bowling

Bowling-wise, his stock ball is the leg break, but his armory also includes the conventional off break and a 'quicker one' which he can deliver at nearly 80 mph in the style of a medium-pacer. He bowls at a high speed for a spinner, resulting in lesser turn, and relying more on variations in speed. He occasionally sends down a bouncer to a batsman, which is very rare for a spin bowler.

International career

An innings-by-innings breakdown of Afridi's Test match batting career, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line).

In October 1996 at the age of sixteen he was brought into the ODI team as a leg spinner as a replacement for the injured Mushtaq Ahmed. He then gained notability as a pinch-hitter and began opening with Saeed Anwar. He holds the record for scoring the fastest century in one-day internationals (off 37 balls),^[12] scored in only his second match and his first ODI innings. He also shares with Brian Lara the record for the third-fastest century in ODIs (off 45 balls). One of Pakistan's most useful all-rounders, he has an extremely aggressive batting style, which has garnered him over 5,000 ODI runs (including an erstwhile world-record 249 sixes, recently broken by Sanath Jayasuriya), as well as taking over 250 wickets at ODI and 47 at Test level.
For various reasons, including a perception that he lacks patience in his batting, Afridi had limited opportunity in Test matches, although he currently averages in the high thirties and mid-thirties with bat and ball respectively. As it is, Afridi has featured in less than one third of the Test Matches played by Pakistan over the course of his career.^[13] However, he made his presence felt in the third Test against India in March 2005, scoring a quick-fire second-innings half-century and taking five wickets in the match (including Tendulkar twice) to help Pakistan to win the game and register a series draw.^[14]
It is perceived that his batting struggles on bouncy pitches and against opponents like Australia, although his record against the Australians has improved over time. Although he has had success as an opener on sub-continent pitches, Afridi is often moved into the lower order as well.
Afridi was more consistent with his batting and bowling throughout 2005, starting with the tours of India and West Indies and through to the England tour. The Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer helped Afridi to reach a fuller potential by improving his shot selection and giving him free rein over his batting attitude.
In the 2007 World Twenty20, he performed poorly with the bat but brilliantly with the ball, earning the Man of the Series award, though he failed to take a wicket in the final and was out for a golden duck.

Temporary Test retirement and return

On April 12, 2006 Afridi announced a temporary retirement from Test cricket until after the 2007 World Cup so that he could concentrate on ODIs. Even then his performance in county cricket for Ireland recently had declined and he bowled better than he batted. He also claimed that the workload was too much to cope with.
However, on April 27, 2006 after much discussion with Shaharyar Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Afridi reversed his decision. Despite this, Afridi was later dropped from the Test team in early August 2006 after three quick-fire innings against England. He was placed well down the batting order, away from his more usual spot in the middle-order, and displayed flamboyantly reckless strokeplay on the English pitches, leading to short but entertaining innings.

Career highlights

On 4 October 1996, playing his maiden international innings, Afridi hit the fastest One-Day century off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi. His innings included 28 runs off one of Sanath Jayasuriya's overs, whose record he broke.^[12]

Youngest player in history to make an ODI century at just 16 years and 217 days with his 37 ball ton against Sri Lanka. It included 11 sixes and 6 fours.^[15]

Made a half-century from 26 balls and took 3 second-innings wickets in Pakistan's series-drawing Test victory against India in March 2005.^[14]

Holds the joint record with Brian Lara for the third fastest ODI century off 45 balls in April 2005 against India.^[12] This actually was the first match that witnessed the Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri giving him the nickname Boom Boom Afridi.^[16]

Equal highest aggregate sixes scored in the 50-over game, shared the legendary Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, and he the most sixes per innings record.^[17]

Scored four consecutive sixes off a Harbhajan Singh over in a Test match against India in January 2006, matching a feat that Kapil Dev achieved in 1990.^[18]

Was the first player to score 12 runs off one ball, by hitting the roof of the Millennium Stadium. This took place in a game of Power Cricket.^[10]

Holds four of the top eight fastest ODI half centuries, twice completed in 18 balls and twice in 20 balls. He has also scored a half century off just 21 balls.^[19]

Made 32 runs off a Malinga Bandara over in an ODI game at Abu Dhabi in 2007. He struck four consecutive sixes and it was the 2nd most expensive over in ODI history.

Is only the third player in ODI history to achieve the combination of 5000 runs and 200 wickets. The other players being Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya and South Africa's Jacques Kallis.

Test Centuries

In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

Test Centuries of Shahid Afridi
	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	141	2	India	Chennai, India	MA Chidambaram Stadium	1999
[2]	107	12	West Indies	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates	Sharjah C.A. Stadium	2002
[3]	122	18	West Indies	Bridgetown, Barbados	Kensington Oval	2005
[4]	103	21	India	Lahore, Pakistan	Gaddafi Stadium	2006
[5]	156	22	India	Faisalabad, Pakistan	Iqbal Stadium	2006

One Day International Centuries

In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

One Day International Centuries of Shahid Afridi
	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	102	2	Sri Lanka	Nairobi, Kenya	Nairobi Gymkhana Club	1996
[2]	109	65	India	Toronto, Canada	Toronto CSCC	1998
[3]	108*	146	New Zealand	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates	Sharjah C.A. Stadium	2002
[4]	102	204	India	Kanpur, India	Green Park	2005

Controversies

Pitch-tampering

On 21 November 2005, Shahid Afridi was banned for a Test match and two one-day internationals for deliberately damaging the pitch in the second match of the three-Test series against England. TV cameras pictured him scraping his boots on the pitch scuffing the surface when play was held up after a gas canister exploded. Afridi later pleaded guilty to a level three breach of the ICC code of conduct relating to the spirit of the game. Inquiries were made and Afridi's antics came into view. He was investigated and banned after the day's play, along with receiving a huge amount of criticism from the cricketing world for bringing the game into disrepute.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama said: "This ban should serve as a message to players that this type of behaviour is not allowed." On this Afridi accepted his fault and said that a "senior player like me should set good examples to others because they see us to learn." His behaviour was also condemned by the Pakistan Cricket Board.^[20]^[21]^[22]

Spectator Incident

Afridi was charged on 8 February 2007 of bringing the game into disrepute after he was seen on camera thrusting his bat at a spectator who swore at him on his way up the steps after being dismissed. Replays seemed to show that the action was not meant to cause injury, though the spectator had to move out of the way to avoid contact. Afridi was found guilty and given a four-game ODI suspension, the minimum possible ban for such an offense, meaning that he would miss Pakistan's first two 2007 World Cup matches. The PCB and Afridi chose not to appeal the ban, despite feeling that the punishment was excessively harsh. It should be noted that the South African Cricket administrators and the spectator were both also rebuked for playing a part in the causation of the incident.^[23]

Ball tampering "Bite-gate"

On 31 January 2010, Afridi was caught on camera biting vigorously into the ball towards the end of the 5th Commonwealth Bank One Day International series in Australia, at the WACA Ground.^[24]^[25]^[26] He was immediately called by the match referee after the match was over. In his defence, he told a Pakistani TV channel that he was trying to "Smell the ball" ^[27] however later Afridi pleaded guilty to ball tampering and he was banned from two Twenty20 internationals.^[28] This incident was widely reported in media as the Bitegate incident.^[29]

References

Zaltzman, Andy. "Unpredictable XI - part 2." Cricinfo, 8 April 2009.

Notes

^ ^a ^b Duncan Steer (June 12, 2009). "Shahid Afridi: the story of my life". Spin: The Cricket Magazine. http://www.spincricket.com/2009/06/12/shahid-afridi-speaks/. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Kenya v Pakistan Scorecard". Cricketarchive. (2 October 1996). http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/62/62836.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Pakistan v Australia Scorecard". Cricketarchive. (October 1998). http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/66/66559.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Shahid Afridi and Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar are the most popular cricketers in the two countries". DAWN.com. August 14, 2007. http://www.dawn.com/2007/08/14/top1.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Sameer Four Nations Cup, sixth qualifying match - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka". Cricinfo. (October 1996). http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/151342.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Pakistan v Sri Lanka ODI no. 1125 - Scorecard". Cricinfo. (4 October 1996). http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66057.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Most runs off one over". Cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/278847.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Fastest hundreds". Cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211608.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Shahid Afridi Videos". Google Videos. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2622774802229026856&q=afridi. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ ^a ^b "Shahid Afridi 12 Run Shot (Video)". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnzTRXzgpXQ. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Most runs in career". Cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/83548.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Fastest Centuries". Cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211608.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ Zaltzman 2009. Zaltzman, who appointed Afridi captain of his hypothetical "Unpredictable XI", also noted that, as of April 8, "His average Test innings lasts for the same length of time as Jimmy Anderson's, but contains more runs than Hussain's, Cronje's or Ranatunga's. And with the ball, he dismissed Tendulkar three times in two Tests in 2005, which is as many times as Warne managed to snare the Mumbai Maestro in his entire career."
^ ^a ^b "Pakistan vs India". Cricinfo. (28 March 2005). http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/PAK_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/PAK_IND_T3_24-28MAR2005.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Youngest Centurions". Cricinfo. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282987.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ Cricinfo "5th ODI: India v Pakistan at Kanpur, Apr 15, 2005". Cricinfo. http://content-pak.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/64942.html Cricinfo. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Most ODI sixes in career". Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BATTING/ODI_BAT_MOST_6S.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Afridi's 4 Sixes of 4 balls vs India 2005 Test Match (Video)". Google Videos. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1679723395732493873&q=afridi+harbhajan. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Records / One-Day Internationals / Batting records / Fastest 100s/50s in ODI cricket". Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/ODIS/BATTING/ODI_BAT_FASTEST_100S.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Afridi banned for damaging pitch". London: BBC. (21 November 2005). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/4457910.stm. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Afridi banned for scuffing pitch". ABC News. (22 November 2005). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2005/11/22/1513162.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ Cricinfo Staff (November 29, 2005). "Giles to fly home for hip surgery". Cricinfo. http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakveng/content/story/226727.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Afridi calls for discipline rethink". Sporting Life. http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/07/02/12/CRICKET_Pak-Pakistan_Afridi.html. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
^ "Australia complete one-day series sweep over Pakistan". bbc.co.uk. London. 2010-01-31. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8489950.stm. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
^ "Controversy mars Australia win". metro.co.uk. http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/811071-controversy-mars-australia-win. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
^ "Shahid Afridi in ball-tampering scandal during wild night at the WACA". theaustralian.com.au. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/shahid-afridi-in-ball-tampering-scandal-during-wild-night-at-the-waca/story-e6frg7mf-1225825270861. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
^ "Afridi's comment sparks backlash". Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Bitegate-Afridi-comment-sparks-backlash/articleshow/5525662.cms.
^ "Afridi banned for two T20s for ball-tampering". Cricinfo. 2010-01-31. http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/content/current/story/446437.html. Retrieved 2010-01-31.
^ "bitegate:Afridi's comments spark backlash". The Times of India. 2010-02-02. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Bitegate-Afridi-comment-sparks-backlash/articleshow/5525662.cms. Retrieved 2010-02-06.

External links

indian Cricketer Zaheer Khan

Full name Zaheer Khan
Born October 7, 1978, Shrirampur, Maharashtra
Current age 30 years 177 days
Major teams India, Asia XI, Asia XI, Bangalore Royal Challengers, Baroda, Mumbai, Surrey, Worcestershire
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Left-arm fast-medium

Career statistics

Test debut Bangladesh v India at Dhaka, Nov 10-13, 2000
Last Test New Zealand v India at Napier, Mar 26-30, 2009

Test statistics
ODI debut Kenya v India at Nairobi (Gym), Oct 3, 2000
Last ODI New Zealand v India at Auckland, Mar 14, 2009

ODI statistics
T20I debut South Africa v India at Johannesburg, Dec 1, 2006
Last T20I New Zealand v India at Wellington, Feb 27, 2009

T20I statistics
First-class debut 1999/00
Last First-class New Zealand v India at Napier, Mar 26-30, 2009
List A debut 1999/00
Last List A New Zealand v India at Auckland, Mar 14, 2009
Twenty20 debut Glamorgan v Worcestershire at Cardiff, Jun 27, 2006
Last Twenty20 New Zealand v India at Wellington, Feb 27, 2009

Zahir Khan's Profile

Like Waqar Younis a decade before, Zaheer Khan yorked his way into the collective consciousness of the cricket world: his performances at the ICC Knockout Trophy in Kenya in September 2000 announced the arrival of an all-too-rare star in the Indian fast-bowling firmament. He might just as easily have come from the Pakistani pace stable: well-built, quick and unfazed by a batsman's reputation, Zaheer could move the ball both ways off the wicket and swing the old ball at some pace. After initially struggling to establish himself as a new-ball bowler, he came of age on the 2002 tour of the West Indies, when he led the line with great heart. His subsequent displays in England and New Zealand - not to mention some eye-catching moments at the World Cup - established him at the forefront of India's new pace generation, but a hamstring injury saw him relegated to bit-part performer as Indian cricket scripted some of its finest moments away in Australia and Pakistan. After that, his pace has dropped and his attitude was questioned, as a new breed of pace bowlers pushed him aside to move to the front of the queue. Zaheer's response was to head to Worcestershire and take 78 wickets in the 2006 county season, a performance that earned him a recall for the tour of South Africa. He was the perfect foil for Sreesanth there, and he then regained his status as leader of the pack with a matchwinning display at Trent Bridge, as India won only their fifth Test on English soil.

Ajantha Mendis - Sri Lanka Player Profile

Full name Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslo Mendis
Born March 11, 1985, Moratuwa
Current age 23 years 137 days
Major teams Sri Lanka, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sri Lanka Army, Wayamba
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak, Legbreak

Career statistics
ODI debut West Indies v Sri Lanka at Port of Spain, Apr 10, 2008

Last ODI India v Sri Lanka at Karachi, Jul 6, 2008
First-class debut Lankan Cricket Club v Sri Lanka Army at Welisara, Nov 17-19, 2006
Last First-class Sri Lanka Army v Moratuwa Sports Club at Panagoda, Mar 21-23, 2008
List A debut Sri Lanka Army v Lankan Cricket Club at Colombo (RPS), Nov 8, 2006
Last List A India v Sri Lanka at Karachi, Jul 6, 2008

Twenty20 debut Sri Lanka Army v Ragama Cricket Club at Colombo (CCC), Feb 28, 2007
Last Twenty20 Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab at Kolkata, May 25, 2008

Profile
Although classified as a right-arm, slow-medium bowler, Ajantha Mendis is a spinner who bowls a mixture of googlies, offbreaks, top-spinners, flippers and legbreaks. Batsmen have been confounded by the variety of deliveries he has up his sleeve and are at a loss to figure out what his stock delivery is. Mendis was a prolific wicket-taker for Sri Lanka Army in the 2007-08 season and had taken 46 wickets at an average of 10.56 and strike-rate of 31 from six matches. His performances did not go unnoticed for Mendis was called up to the Sri Lanka squad for the tour of West Indies in April 2008. After impressing on debut in the Caribbean, Mendis only grew in stature - in particular, because of his 'flicker', which he releases with an unusual snap of his fingers. In a short span Mendis has flummoxed some international batsmen who've played spin pretty well in their careers. Just ask the Indians, who were clueless against him in the Asia Cup final, where Mendis netted 6 for 13 in his eighth one-day international. His 17 wickets in the tournament duly earned him the Man-of-the-Series award and soon after earned a call-up to the Test squad to face India at home.

Cricketer information

Wasim Akram

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

Domestic career

International career

First-class cricket

Test cricket

One Day International

Retirement

Skills in cricket

Award and records

Cricket controversies

Media career

Personal life

References

External links

Contents

Career

One Day International cricket

Test cricket

County Cricket

Indian Cricket League

Playing style

Captaincy

Test centuries

Controversies

Toronto incident

Oval test incident

References

[edit] External links

Shahid Afridi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents

Family

Playing style

Batting

Bowling

International career

Temporary Test retirement and return

Career highlights

Test Centuries

One Day International Centuries

Controversies

Pitch-tampering

Spectator Incident

Ball tampering "Bite-gate"

References

Notes

External links

Ajantha Mendis - Sri Lanka Player Profile

T20 WORLD CUP

PAKISTAN T20 WORLD CHAMPION 2009

WASEEM AKRAM THE BEST

imran nazeer fastest 100 ICL