Harsh Thakor
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My choice of best Pakistani cricketers of the decade of 1970 in order of merit.
1.Mushtaq Muhammad
2.Asif Iqbal
3.Zaheer Abbas
4.Majid Khan
5.Imran Khan
6.Wasim Raja
7.Sarafaraz Nawaz/Sadiq Muhammad
1.Mushtaq Muhammad
Placed Mushtaq Muhamad at the top not only because of all-round performances but also because of contribution as a skipper.He knitted or moulded or nurtured a bunch of talented individuals into a cohesive world class team virtually on par with the best teams in the world.He thus opened the door for a new epoch in Pakistan cricket.In 1976-77 Pakistan drew a series in Australia and came within touching distance of sharing a 5 test rubber in West Indies.West Indies had in the previous season annihilated England 3-0 while Australia comprehensively beat West Indies by a 5-1 margin the previous season.Mushy gave a spectacular all-round display at Trinidad in 1977 taking 8 wickets and scoring 128 and 56.Earlier Mushtaq had to his credit a 121 in Australia in 1972-73,a 201 at Dunedin in 1972-73 and a home century against West Indies.He was not the most talented,but more resolute or determined than anyone.Also was a skilled leg-break bowler doing great justice to the googly .Won tests in West Indies and New Zealand with his spin bowling.To ressurect Pakistan from the gave Mushtaq was the ultimate man as an all-round cricketer.
2.Asif Iqbal
The best Pakistan batsmen in a crisis of his day who became a great batsmen late in his career.On his day he would give the most dazzling exhibitions of strokeplay.His best innings comprise some of the finest ever to be executed on a cricket field.In 1976-77 scored a match-saving 152 at Adelaide in a record stand for the 9th wicket, a match-wining unbeaten 120 at Sydney on green top and self -respect salvaging 135 on the fastest of tracks at Kingston.Above all his batting played major role in shaping Pakistan's new epoch in cricket.Also scored a marvellous 175 at Dunedin in 1972 and 135 at Perth in 1979.Also a very useful medium pacer ,often making the crucial breakthroughs.Te best no 6 batsmen after Sobers and a master batsmen with the tail enders.Almost all his knocks came when the taem needed them most.
3.Zaheer Abbas
Statistically a giant in the Greg Chappell class and in overall first class and ODI cricket arguably the best of the 1970's.Scored runs in the manner of an Asian Bradman at home versus India in 1978-79 and scored 2 classic double centuries in England in 1971 and 1974.No Pkaistani batsmen or araguably anyone in his era had such a penchant for making mamoth scores.Also prolific in Australia averaging over 57 in 1976-77 with a century and 3 fifties.However never succeeded against West Indies apart from an epic 93 in the 1979 Prudential world cup semi-final.Took batting artistry or style to regions of the divine with his strokes reminiscent the touches of the touches of a painters brush .What went aginst him was that he was not at his best in a crisis or against sheer pace.
4.Imran Khan
The 1st genuine quickie from Pakistan who was responsible for ushering a turning point in his nation's history when capturing 12-165 and enable his side to win a test and drawn rubber for the first time on Australian soil.Took 25 wickets in the Carribaen that almost enabled Pakistan to share the series.Also very impactful in home series versus India in 1978-79.Close to the fastest bowler in the world in 1977-79.
5.Majid Khan
Potentially the equal of Viv Richards.The best batsmen on bad wickets .Took creativity and domination in batting to regions of the sublime .His match-saving 167 at Georgetown against a great pace attack proved his greatness as well as his 158 at Melbourne in 1972-73 and 1144 in 1974 Prudential trophy ODI game.One of the 3 best batsmen aginst genuine pace in the world at that time.
6.Wasim Raja
Close to the best no 7 batsmen of all.No batsmen performed better against the great Calypso pace attack than Raja who averaged over 57 in 1977 there.He always reserved his best for West Indies and was also successful at home on 1974.Also a very useful spin bowler.His batting posessed a characteristic grace and few batsmen were more combative.
Topped the averages amongst bot sides on 1979-80 tour of India.
7=Sarfaraz Nawaz and Sadiq Muhammad
Sarafraz sculpted or pioneered the art of swing and played a major role in the rise of Imran Khan.Hi supportive role to Imran won home series versus India in 1978-79 and test at Melbourne in 1979 lifting Pakistan from the depths of despair to reach the pinnacle of glory.As lethal as Hadlee on his day.
Few openers were ever braver than Sadiq who was simply courage personified on a cricket field.Faced quickies like Lillee and Roberts with great skill and courage.A major component of the great Pakistani batting line up of the 1970's.
1.Mushtaq Muhammad
2.Asif Iqbal
3.Zaheer Abbas
4.Majid Khan
5.Imran Khan
6.Wasim Raja
7.Sarafaraz Nawaz/Sadiq Muhammad
1.Mushtaq Muhammad
Placed Mushtaq Muhamad at the top not only because of all-round performances but also because of contribution as a skipper.He knitted or moulded or nurtured a bunch of talented individuals into a cohesive world class team virtually on par with the best teams in the world.He thus opened the door for a new epoch in Pakistan cricket.In 1976-77 Pakistan drew a series in Australia and came within touching distance of sharing a 5 test rubber in West Indies.West Indies had in the previous season annihilated England 3-0 while Australia comprehensively beat West Indies by a 5-1 margin the previous season.Mushy gave a spectacular all-round display at Trinidad in 1977 taking 8 wickets and scoring 128 and 56.Earlier Mushtaq had to his credit a 121 in Australia in 1972-73,a 201 at Dunedin in 1972-73 and a home century against West Indies.He was not the most talented,but more resolute or determined than anyone.Also was a skilled leg-break bowler doing great justice to the googly .Won tests in West Indies and New Zealand with his spin bowling.To ressurect Pakistan from the gave Mushtaq was the ultimate man as an all-round cricketer.
2.Asif Iqbal
The best Pakistan batsmen in a crisis of his day who became a great batsmen late in his career.On his day he would give the most dazzling exhibitions of strokeplay.His best innings comprise some of the finest ever to be executed on a cricket field.In 1976-77 scored a match-saving 152 at Adelaide in a record stand for the 9th wicket, a match-wining unbeaten 120 at Sydney on green top and self -respect salvaging 135 on the fastest of tracks at Kingston.Above all his batting played major role in shaping Pakistan's new epoch in cricket.Also scored a marvellous 175 at Dunedin in 1972 and 135 at Perth in 1979.Also a very useful medium pacer ,often making the crucial breakthroughs.Te best no 6 batsmen after Sobers and a master batsmen with the tail enders.Almost all his knocks came when the taem needed them most.
3.Zaheer Abbas
Statistically a giant in the Greg Chappell class and in overall first class and ODI cricket arguably the best of the 1970's.Scored runs in the manner of an Asian Bradman at home versus India in 1978-79 and scored 2 classic double centuries in England in 1971 and 1974.No Pkaistani batsmen or araguably anyone in his era had such a penchant for making mamoth scores.Also prolific in Australia averaging over 57 in 1976-77 with a century and 3 fifties.However never succeeded against West Indies apart from an epic 93 in the 1979 Prudential world cup semi-final.Took batting artistry or style to regions of the divine with his strokes reminiscent the touches of the touches of a painters brush .What went aginst him was that he was not at his best in a crisis or against sheer pace.
4.Imran Khan
The 1st genuine quickie from Pakistan who was responsible for ushering a turning point in his nation's history when capturing 12-165 and enable his side to win a test and drawn rubber for the first time on Australian soil.Took 25 wickets in the Carribaen that almost enabled Pakistan to share the series.Also very impactful in home series versus India in 1978-79.Close to the fastest bowler in the world in 1977-79.
5.Majid Khan
Potentially the equal of Viv Richards.The best batsmen on bad wickets .Took creativity and domination in batting to regions of the sublime .His match-saving 167 at Georgetown against a great pace attack proved his greatness as well as his 158 at Melbourne in 1972-73 and 1144 in 1974 Prudential trophy ODI game.One of the 3 best batsmen aginst genuine pace in the world at that time.
6.Wasim Raja
Close to the best no 7 batsmen of all.No batsmen performed better against the great Calypso pace attack than Raja who averaged over 57 in 1977 there.He always reserved his best for West Indies and was also successful at home on 1974.Also a very useful spin bowler.His batting posessed a characteristic grace and few batsmen were more combative.
Topped the averages amongst bot sides on 1979-80 tour of India.
7=Sarfaraz Nawaz and Sadiq Muhammad
Sarafraz sculpted or pioneered the art of swing and played a major role in the rise of Imran Khan.Hi supportive role to Imran won home series versus India in 1978-79 and test at Melbourne in 1979 lifting Pakistan from the depths of despair to reach the pinnacle of glory.As lethal as Hadlee on his day.
Few openers were ever braver than Sadiq who was simply courage personified on a cricket field.Faced quickies like Lillee and Roberts with great skill and courage.A major component of the great Pakistani batting line up of the 1970's.
