No Babar Azam! Mohammad Yousuf names Pakistan’s greatest cricketers after histor
A Milestone and a Controversy
The Pakistan national cricket team achieved a significant milestone on Saturday, May 30, marking their 1,000th One Day International (ODI) victory. The historic win came against Australia in the series opener in Rawalpindi, where the hosts secured a convincing five-wicket triumph. While the cricketing fraternity lauded the team’s consistency and depth, the spotlight quickly shifted to former batting legend Mohammad Yousuf, who revealed his personal list of Pakistan’s all-time greatest cricketers. To the surprise of many modern fans, current superstar Babar Azam was noticeably absent from his selections.
Yousuf’s All-Time XI Icons
To commemorate the 1,000th ODI milestone, Mohammad Yousuf took to his social media platforms to curate a lineup of players he considers the greatest in their respective roles. His choices reflect a nostalgic appreciation for the golden era of Pakistan cricket:
- Best Captain and All-rounder: Imran Khan
- Greatest Fast Bowler: Wasim Akram
- Greatest Batter: Saeed Anwar
- Greatest Wicketkeeper: Rashid Latif
- Greatest Spinner: Saqlain Mushtaq
The exclusion of Babar Azam, who is currently considered one of the best white-ball batters in the world, highlights the high standards Yousuf holds for the legendary figures who paved the way for modern cricket in the country.
The Legends Behind the Choices
The players named by Yousuf are undisputed titans of the game. Imran Khan, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph in 1992, remains the face of Pakistan cricket. He scored 3,709 runs and claimed 182 wickets in 175 ODIs. Alongside him, Wasim Akram, the ‘Sultan of Swing’, dominated the international stage from 1984 to 2003. With 502 ODI wickets and 3,717 runs, Akram’s legacy as the first bowler to cross the 500-wicket mark in ODIs remains unmatched.
In the batting department, Saeed Anwar is remembered for his grace and clinical precision. His record of 8,824 runs in 247 ODIs cemented his place as one of the most stylish openers ever. Behind the stumps, Rashid Latif was chosen for his extraordinary reflexes, having recorded 220 dismissals in 166 matches. Finally, Saqlain Mushtaq, the innovator of the ‘doosra’, was selected as the premier spinner, boasting 288 wickets in 169 appearances.
A Look Back at 1992
Beyond individual accolades, Mohammad Yousuf emphasized the 1992 World Cup victory as the most iconic moment in Pakistan’s cricketing history. Defeating England in Melbourne by 22 runs remains the benchmark for success, a defining achievement that transformed cricket into a national obsession.
The Future of Pakistan Cricket
While the focus remained on legends, the present match against Australia showcased the emergence of new talent. Debutant spinner Arafat Minhas delivered a historic performance, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on his ODI debut at home, finishing with figures of 5/32.
Australia struggled to build momentum, ultimately being bowled out for 200. During the run chase, the modern batting lineup showed resilience. Despite the absence of certain names in ‘all-time’ lists, Babar Azam demonstrated his class with a gritty 69-run knock, supported by Ghazi Ghori’s 65. Their 127-run partnership effectively sealed the game for the hosts. As Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead, the team looks toward the remaining fixtures in Lahore with the confidence of a squad that respects its past while firmly focusing on the future.
