On This Day: January 7th, 1992 - Imran Khan's last day in Test cricket

[TalhaSyed]

Today marks the 21 year anniversary of the last day of Imran Khans illustrious test career. Imran Khan played his final test against Sri Lanka in Faislabad, which Pakistan won by three wickets. By this late stage of his career Imran was no longer bowling in test matches and only contributed 22 runs to the cause through out the game. However, Imran Khan's contribution to not only Pakistani cricket, but world cricket, through out his career will never be forgotten. With 3807 test runs at and average of 37.69; and 362 test wickets at and average of 22.81, Imran proved to be one of the greatest all rounders to have graced a cricket field.

Final Match:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63570.html

 

[Haroon786]

The best

 

[Kianig89]

Yes Pakistan's greatest player...

 

[saiyan0312]

easily the best we ever produced.

 

[Sakss]

how come sir dint bowl in his last game?

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Pretty amazing stats, especially considering batting averages were lower back then in general. Today a 37.69 batting average would be probably around 43-45 imo.

 

[Abdullah719]

26 years on

 

[Sakss]

Again why didnt he bowl in the last match?

 

[Mueez]

ATG that's what I need to say about him

 

[Abdullah719]

Again why didnt he bowl in the last match?

Four years on and you didn't get an answer!

Match happened before I was born so can't really say... but looking at the scorecard, there's four other pacers in the team who got the job done. IK was well past his best by then.

 

[umerz]

how come sir dint bowl in his last game?

There were a lot of test matches in his career where he either didn't bowl or bowled very less overs

 

[Junaids]

Again why didnt he bowl in the last match?

how come sir dint bowl in his last game?

He was almost 40 years old, and his bowling had been too slow to be Test class for the last two years.

His final Test class bowling was in the West Indies in 87-88, at the age of 36.

A year later, in New Zealand, he was accurate but his speed was down to around 130K. By then Wasim Akram has inherited the crown and Saleem Jaffer and Aaqib Javed were quicker and more dangerous.

Six months later Waqar Younis emerged, and on the Australia tour in 89-90 the spearhead was Wasim Akram, bowling around 140K, with a raw Waqar bowling 150’ish and Aaqib Javed bowling around 135K but too short. Imran was now down to around 125K and was just a part-time bowler.

The next two years saw Waqar perfect his full-pitched inswingers, and Imran moved from being an all-rounder batting at 7 to a specialist Number 6 batsman like Asad Shafiq.

 

[Abdullah719]

The player rankings when IK retired:

 

[Haroon786]

The player rankings when IK retired:

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] - any idea as to why Wasim's peak ranking bowler points (830) are so low, the likes of IK, Waqar and Ambrose are all over comfortably over 900?

 

[MenInG]

The King.

Pakistan cricket owes a lot to Imran Khan

 

[Green Patriot]

I wish we can have a captain like him again.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> 1992. The last day of one of the longest and most successful Test careers which began in 1971. Imran Khan took 362 Test wickets, including 40 (a record for Pakistan) against India in 1982-83, and hit six Test centuries <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/8oPF4gkK0l">pic.twitter.com/8oPF4gkK0l</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1082187865277255680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When Imran Khan retired from Test cricket on this day back in 1992, despite being 39 years old he was ranked 15th in the Test batsmen rankings and 7th in the Test bowler's rankings <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/27h5WzTuxm">pic.twitter.com/27h5WzTuxm</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1082189110549364737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] - any idea as to why Wasim's peak ranking bowler points (830) are so low, the likes of IK, Waqar and Ambrose are all over comfortably over 900?

I can answer that.

Wasim Akram was remarkably consistent, but like the West Indians from 1980 to 1986 he had to share the spoils with first Imran and Qadir, then Waqar and Mushtaq.

Waqar at his peak was a bit more destructive than Wasim Akram because his rapid inswing meant that he had more periods in which he knocked over the tail very fast indeed. Wasim swung it too, but at around 140K, whereas Waqar would demolish the tail bowling 150+.

At such times, the opposition might be 250-6 with Wasim and Waqar having each taken 2-50. But Waqar was the first choice to knock over the tail (often with Mushtaq at the other end), and his 2-50 often quickly became 5-55.

830 is actually still a really high peak!

 

[Junaids]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When Imran Khan retired from Test cricket on this day back in 1992, despite being 39 years old he was ranked 15th in the Test batsmen rankings and 7th in the Test bowler's rankings <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/27h5WzTuxm">pic.twitter.com/27h5WzTuxm</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1082189110549364737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Which shows the folly of the Test rankings.

Because from March 1989 to January 1992, Imran Khan was a Test class batsman but was a part-time medium pacer.

 

[ExpressPacer]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

What do you think Imran Khan would have averaged if he played as a specialist batsman in the 80's - early 90's and today?

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

What do you think Imran Khan would have averaged if he played as a specialist batsman in the 80's - early 90's and today?

Imran as a batsman was a lot like Misbah-ul-Haq.

He always had talent, but it took him until he was 30 years old - the 1982 England tour - to latch upon the same technique as Misbah: watch the ball and play it very late under his eyes.

It made him a really good batsman in Asia and in England and Australia he was quite good. But it wasn't enough against the fastest, nastiest attack - the West Indies - where he struggled to do much more than survive for a brave 50.

Honestly, if you want to know how Imran would fare today, then Misbah's career is the answer.

 

[adzzy786]

Imran khans last 10 years he averaged over 50 with the bat and less than 22 with the bowl. What a player he was.

 

[Robert]

A magnificent fast bowler, up there with the very best, who made himself into a capable and reliable test middle order batter too. Inspirational leader on the field, keeping his young players calm. Got rid of some underperforming seniors and picked youngsters who were maybe less skilled but would fight for Pakistan.

Best cricketer I ever saw.

(Except Kallis maybe.)

 

[Haroon786]

I can answer that.

Wasim Akram was remarkably consistent, but like the West Indians from 1980 to 1986 he had to share the spoils with first Imran and Qadir, then Waqar and Mushtaq.

Waqar at his peak was a bit more destructive than Wasim Akram because his rapid inswing meant that he had more periods in which he knocked over the tail very fast indeed. Wasim swung it too, but at around 140K, whereas Waqar would demolish the tail bowling 150+.

At such times, the opposition might be 250-6 with Wasim and Waqar having each taken 2-50. But Waqar was the first choice to knock over the tail (often with Mushtaq at the other end), and his 2-50 often quickly became 5-55.

830 is actually still a really high peak!

I see and yeah Wasim's wickets per test tally is quite low.

Who do you rank the highest between IK, Waqar and Wasim (I have IK as the best, then Wasim and Waqar in that order)?

 

[Haroon786]

A magnificent fast bowler, up there with the very best, who made himself into a capable and reliable test middle order batter too. Inspirational leader on the field, keeping his young players calm. Got rid of some underperforming seniors and picked youngsters who were maybe less skilled but would fight for Pakistan.

Best cricketer I ever saw.

(Except Kallis maybe.)

So you rate IK above SRT and Kohli as cricketers?

 

[Robert]

So you rate IK above SRT and Kohli as cricketers?

Yes. They were both excellent in one discipline, but he was excellent in one and very good in a second.

 

[Robert]

I see and yeah Wasim's wickets per test tally is quite low.

Who do you rank the highest between IK, Waqar and Wasim (I have IK as the best, then Wasim and Waqar in that order)?

Concur.

Though the young Waqar was a force of nature.

 

[Haroon786]

Yes. They were both excellent in one discipline, but he was excellent in one and very good in a second.

Great, thanks.

He was also a better captain too I guess.

 

[Haroon786]

Concur.

Though the young Waqar was a force of nature.

Oh yeah, definitely, just a shame he got injured too soon - could have really made some waves in the mid to late 90s if he didn't have to cut down on his pace and retool his bowling.

 

[Muhammad10]

Which shows the folly of the Test rankings.

Because from March 1989 to January 1992, Imran Khan was a Test class batsman but was a part-time medium pacer.

I'm guessing he must have had a very high rating before his bowling declined towards the end of his career. That could explain why it was still a handy 723 when he retired.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] - any idea as to why Wasim's peak ranking bowler points (830) are so low, the likes of IK, Waqar and Ambrose are all over comfortably over 900?

By the time Wasim reached peak, PCB had shifted focus from useless Test cricket to more important ODI cricket, more importantly in UAE. To stack up points, you need to play lot more Tests & 4-5 Test series - if you look at the top rankers, ATGs, each of them actually has enjoyed few grand series with 5-6 Tests and calendar year with 14-15 Tests. Wasim, never got the chance to pick 25-30 wickets in a series because after 1992, next Series with 4 Test PAK played was in 2006. And, during his prime, PAK in general played fewer Tests, therefore his career stats & ranking in Test is a bit misleading. Between 189 to 1995, had PAK played say 80 Tests, he would have definitely crossed 900 points and 500+ career wickets. Imran also reached pick in a period PAK played probably 35 Tests in 3 years. Last PAK played a calendar year with adequate number of Tests, MoYo did cross Viv's annual grand total of Test runs, therefore ability in PAK players were there; however, PCB confessed from that sin of playing so many Tests in a year and purified themselves from the curse by playing ZERO Test in next year.

That, higher number of Tests in a series or a calendar year condition is not unanimous actually - it depends on the players. For example, if PAK plays 15 Tests in a year now, most of the player will loose ranking points by year end from start of the year, because now opponents are better skilled, better managed, better conditioned, better led and more intelligent - they'll work out QeA products and expose them by 3rd, 4th, 5th Test; and by half way of year, most of T20 heroes will break down. Even Misbah's team lost last Test to WIN, ZIM, SAF, NZ in UAE - once tourist had acclimatized with UAE; therefore at present what you see the ranking of PAK players are actually under their optimum condition; it was opposite for County products - Zaheer & Javed also should have been ranked in top 3 in the years PAK played lots of Tests (I can tell that for Javed in 1987-88 period).

 

[MenInG]

What a fantastic career - legend in his own right and now PM of our country.

 

[Sidilicious]

By the time Wasim reached peak, PCB had shifted focus from useless Test cricket to more important ODI cricket, more importantly in UAE. To stack up points, you need to play lot more Tests & 4-5 Test series - if you look at the top rankers, ATGs, each of them actually has enjoyed few grand series with 5-6 Tests and calendar year with 14-15 Tests. Wasim, never got the chance to pick 25-30 wickets in a series because after 1992, next Series with 4 Test PAK played was in 2006. And, during his prime, PAK in general played fewer Tests, therefore his career stats & ranking in Test is a bit misleading. Between 189 to 1995, had PAK played say 80 Tests, he would have definitely crossed 900 points and 500+ career wickets. Imran also reached pick in a period PAK played probably 35 Tests in 3 years. Last PAK played a calendar year with adequate number of Tests, MoYo did cross Viv's annual grand total of Test runs, therefore ability in PAK players were there; however, PCB confessed from that sin of playing so many Tests in a year and purified themselves from the curse by playing ZERO Test in next year.

That, higher number of Tests in a series or a calendar year condition is not unanimous actually - it depends on the players. For example, if PAK plays 15 Tests in a year now, most of the player will loose ranking points by year end from start of the year, because now opponents are better skilled, better managed, better conditioned, better led and more intelligent - they'll work out QeA products and expose them by 3rd, 4th, 5th Test; and by half way of year, most of T20 heroes will break down. Even Misbah's team lost last Test to WIN, ZIM, SAF, NZ in UAE - once tourist had acclimatized with UAE; therefore at present what you see the ranking of PAK players are actually under their optimum condition; it was opposite for County products - Zaheer & Javed also should have been ranked in top 3 in the years PAK played lots of Tests (I can tell that for Javed in 1987-88 period).

Good explanation about the lack of matches leading to low all time rating for Wasim. I suppose that would also explain Sachin’s lack of high rating in tests. At his peak, during mid to late 90s, he averaged 5-6 tests a year.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Just imagine how many more wickets imran would have had if he didnt have a couple year spell of not been able to bowl at all, his great record would have been even greater.

 

[Junaids]

Just imagine how many more wickets imran would have had if he didnt have a couple year spell of not been able to bowl at all, his great record would have been even greater.

Not just that, he missed another two years for the Packer SuperTests, in which he took 25 wickets at 20.84, and was clearly the world’s second best bowler behind Mike Procter, and ahead of all the West Indians and Aussies.

All Test records between 1975 and 1985 are false because the SuperTests are excluded and the joke matches between reserves are counted!

 

[MenInG]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1347177167688519682

 

[Khan12]

Truly the greatest cricketer from SC.

 

[BouncerGuy]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1347177167688519682

On this day, One of the greatest cricket players of all time appeared in his last Match. What an illustrious career he had. Still making an impact in Pakistan's system.