Would Zaheer Abbas have made the world Test XI ever?

[Harsh Thakor]

Without doubt Zaheer Abbas was the supreme batting stylist of batting and a maestrn flat tracks arguably he did not have an equal.His first class statistics were better than even Viv or Barry Richards.Yet he was most so successful against the fast men and often failed in a crisis.Arguably still he was as good as anyone on his day,particularly in O.D.I's.

In a world test xi in 1979 could Zaheer Abbas join the likes of Gavaskar,Greenidge,Viv Richards,Ian Chappell,Greg Chappell and Ian Botham?His major rivals would be Clive Lloyd,Vishwanath,Kalicharan,Majid Khan and Javed Miandad.I feel with his outstanding record against India aggregating a record 583 runs nad averaging over 57 in Australia in 1976-77 Zaheer would just edge the likes of Vishy,Lloyd and Javed.Zaheer overall averaged 44.79 ,including two double centuries in England.It must be said that against raw pace Majid,Lloyd and Vishy were better players than Zaheer.Vishy lacked enough big scores overseas.However still with Botham coming in at no6 or Alan Knott at no 7 Zaheer would not make it to the final cut.The team would comprise a wicketkeeper,a genuine all-rounder and 4 specialist bowlers.Greg Chappell or Ian would just nose him out.However he was a certainty in a one day world xi.In the one day xi I would select Zaheer at no4 joined by Viv Richards and Ian Chappell.I would prefer Zaheer to Greg Chappell with his great prowess in the limited overs game.

Against spin or on flat track Zaheer would always have made the world test xi.always.


In the early 1980's I feel Zaheer would miss out against David Gower and Alan Border.Still he would make the O.D.I.World xi.However in the early 1970's Zaheer would make it in the test xi if you consider his 2 double centuries in England.

 

[Godhelpma]

A good post to read !

 

[Godhelpma]

But I want to ask you why zaheer Abbas despite having such a good record in county cricket , could not translate at international level in tests I.e average of 44.79 ? Was it due to lack of appetite for being best in business or lack of ability against pace?

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

But I want to ask you why zaheer Abbas despite having such a good record in county cricket , could not translate at international level in tests I.e average of 44.79 ? Was it due to lack of appetite for being best in business or lack of ability against pace?

according to imran, he lacked the mental strength to play against pace bowling. that is why imran has always rated players like miandad and inzamam who had in his opinion the courage to play pace.

also we have to realize that all the cricket in this era was played without proper headgear and helmet and intimidating batsmen was a proper practice. a lot of really good players who would make perfect batsmen in the later eras struggled at that particular time.

needless to say against seamers and spin bowlers, zaheer was a master player. his stats in england speak of his mastery. was the owner of one of the most sublime cover drives ever.

tremendous player and very underrated these days

 

[Harsh Thakor]

But I want to ask you why zaheer Abbas despite having such a good record in county cricket , could not translate at international level in tests I.e average of 44.79 ? Was it due to lack of appetite for being best in business or lack of ability against pace?

Good question.I feel Wsc Packer cricket bogged him down almost killing him psychologically.He never showed problems before against genuine pace.Zaheer would have flourished in later eras when there was protective headgear.Still I feel Zaheer would often succumb in a crisis unlike Major Khan ,Wasim Raja or Asif Iqbal.In ODI cricket he was almost the equal of Viv Richards.Never forget his 93 v West Indies in 1979 World Cup semifinal.Zaheer also was prolific against Australia facing likes of Dennis Lillee in 1976-77.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

according to imran, he lacked the mental strength to play against pace bowling. that is why imran has always rated players like miandad and inzamam who had in his opinion the courage to play pace.

also we have to realize that all the cricket in this era was played without proper headgear and helmet and intimidating batsmen was a proper practice. a lot of really good players who would make perfect batsmen in the later eras struggled at that particular time.

needless to say against seamers and spin bowlers, zaheer was a master player. his stats in england speak of his mastery. was the owner of one of the most sublime cover drives ever.

tremendous player and very underrated these days

Super analysis.In later eras may have averaged close to 50.To me the most stylish right-hander with Azharudin to ever play on the subcontinent.Timing in Tendulkar class.However overshadowed by the likes of Majid Khan and Wasim Raja against genuine pace or even Asif Iqbal.Do you feel he could be classed with the all-time great batsmen?Debatable to me .Like Zaheer Miandad was also prolific on home pitches .Zaheer in 1979 was ranked as the 6th best batsmen in the world which is notable ,behind only Chappell brothers,Viv and Barry Richards and Sunil Gavaskar.

 

[bujhee kom]

No. Scared of pace bowling.

 

[Justcrazy]

No he would not make it.

Miandad , Border ,etc were better batters in Tests than Him.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

No he would not make it.

Miandad , Border ,etc were better batters in Tests than Him.

ODI World xi?To me a certainty .please reply how would you compare Zaheer to David Gower or Azharuddin?

 

[msb314]

His ODI stats were ATGish!

Average of 47 at a SR of 85! Amazing by even todays standards.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

His ODI stats were ATGish

Average of 47 at a SR of 85! Amazing by even todays standards.[/QUOTE

Close to the top 10 ODI batsmen of all time?Candidate for all time ODI xi?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

No he would not make it.

Miandad , Border ,etc were better batters in Tests than Him.

What about comparisons with Clive Lloyd,David Gower,Gundaappa Vishwanath,orMajidKhan?

 

[Justcrazy]

ODI World xi?To me a certainty .please reply how would you compare Zaheer to David Gower or Azharuddin?

Tough in OD also . Will be a borderline case.

In OD , there have been some great batsmen also.

I personally think Zaheer better than both Gower and Azhar .

 

[Justcrazy]

His ODI stats were ATGish

Average of 47 at a SR of 85! Amazing by even todays standards.[/QUOTE

Close to the top 10 ODI batsmen of all time?Candidate for all time ODI xi?

He is candidate for all time OD XI , no doubt , but will need deliberations.

In Best all time OD XI , the sure shot players would be probably Viv , Dean Jones , javed Miandad, Gilchrist , Wasim , Saqlain .

Waqar and Joel Garner also very likely.

 

[msb314]

His ODI stats were ATGish

Average of 47 at a SR of 85! Amazing by even todays standards.[/QUOTE

Close to the top 10 ODI batsmen of all time?Candidate for all time ODI xi?

If we go by stats only - only Bevan, Dhoni, Kohli, Amla, RTD, Trott, Babar, Root and ABD are ahead of him so yes.

 

[Yossarian]

according to imran, he lacked the mental strength to play against pace bowling. that is why imran has always rated players like miandad and inzamam who had in his opinion the courage to play pace.

also we have to realize that all the cricket in this era was played without proper headgear and helmet and intimidating batsmen was a proper practice. a lot of really good players who would make perfect batsmen in the later eras struggled at that particular time.

needless to say against seamers and spin bowlers, zaheer was a master player. his stats in england speak of his mastery. was the owner of one of the most sublime cover drives ever.

tremendous player and very underrated these days

[MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION]
Am I correct in thinking that he played whilst wearing glasses (spectacles)?

If so, without headgear/helmet, and whilst wearing glasses, on a fast track, unlimited bouncers, uncovered pitches, against fast bowlers the likes of Lillee, Thomson, Holding, Garner, Croft & co, no wonder he 'lacked mental strength' !!

 

[khurram39]

He can be