Loralai
Tape Ball Captain
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2016
- Runs
- 1,128
We often talk about Pakistani cricketers who were unfortunate not to play more than a handful of Tests - but I thought it might be interesting to get people's thoughts on players who didn't even get the chance to play Test cricket. The purpose of the thread is not to talk up players who might have been record breakers, but just discuss those who you think should have got a chance to at least prove themselves.
Starting off with Mohammed Zahid, the slow left arm spinner from Bahawalpur. A nice, classical, easy action combined with the ability to bowl long spells. He took 564 wickets at an average of 22 (https://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/41287.html).
There were many good spinners in Pakistan during the time of his domestic career, and Imran Khan always liked having quality leg spinner in the side (Abdul Qadir and later Mushtaq), but Zahid was unlucky to miss out.
Sajid Shah was a very fine fast bowler from Peshawar, who was well built and athletic with a nice, fluid action with the ability to bowl long spells. He was unlucky to not get a chance and was in the reserves for the 1999 World Cup and also played against the touring English team in 2000. I remember being surprised in the late nineties when the likes of Shabbir Ahmed, Kabir Khan and Mohammed Akram were given chances but Sajid wasn't. He took 557 wickets at an average of 22.
In testament to the quality of batting Pakistan had during the 70s and 80s, I cannot forget Nasir Valika, who was a good player all around the wicket and who always batted with very soft hands. He played at under 19 level against the touring Sri Lankans in the early seventies along with Miandad, Azhar Khan, Qasim Umar and Mudasser Nazar. All would end up with Test caps other than Nasir. Nasir played the short ball well but it is difficult to know how he would have done at Test level. 7625 runs at an average in the mid 40s (during some very strong years for Pakistan domestic cricket) is respectable.
Finally, another fast bowler - Jamshed Hussain, who was strong and athletic, was unlucky not to achieve a test cap. 164 wickets at an average of 26 was impressive but I remember hearing that injuries dimmed his pace.
Starting off with Mohammed Zahid, the slow left arm spinner from Bahawalpur. A nice, classical, easy action combined with the ability to bowl long spells. He took 564 wickets at an average of 22 (https://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/41287.html).
There were many good spinners in Pakistan during the time of his domestic career, and Imran Khan always liked having quality leg spinner in the side (Abdul Qadir and later Mushtaq), but Zahid was unlucky to miss out.
Sajid Shah was a very fine fast bowler from Peshawar, who was well built and athletic with a nice, fluid action with the ability to bowl long spells. He was unlucky to not get a chance and was in the reserves for the 1999 World Cup and also played against the touring English team in 2000. I remember being surprised in the late nineties when the likes of Shabbir Ahmed, Kabir Khan and Mohammed Akram were given chances but Sajid wasn't. He took 557 wickets at an average of 22.
In testament to the quality of batting Pakistan had during the 70s and 80s, I cannot forget Nasir Valika, who was a good player all around the wicket and who always batted with very soft hands. He played at under 19 level against the touring Sri Lankans in the early seventies along with Miandad, Azhar Khan, Qasim Umar and Mudasser Nazar. All would end up with Test caps other than Nasir. Nasir played the short ball well but it is difficult to know how he would have done at Test level. 7625 runs at an average in the mid 40s (during some very strong years for Pakistan domestic cricket) is respectable.
Finally, another fast bowler - Jamshed Hussain, who was strong and athletic, was unlucky not to achieve a test cap. 164 wickets at an average of 26 was impressive but I remember hearing that injuries dimmed his pace.
