#west indies cricket team matches

[windies-warriors]

Where Do Visiting International Cricketers Stay, When They Are In Port of Spain, in West Indies?

Cricket is a beloved sport played and enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Whether you’re a player or a fan, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of being a part of a cricket tour. Official cricket tours offer many benefits you may not get from playing or watching the sport locally. In this blog, we will explore some of the benefits of taking official west indies cricket tours. Read more here:- https://qr.ae/prSfE4

[amitgopal390]

India vs West Indies Cricket Matches History Record In Hindi

India vs West Indies Cricket Matches History Record In Hindi India vs West Indies : भारत और वेस्ट इंडीज दोनों देशों के बीच क्रिकेट में विशेष महत्वपूर्ण मुकाबले होते हैं। इन दोनों देशों के बीच ��ंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट सीरीज़ और टूर्नामेंट्स का आयोजन किया जाता है। क्रिकेट जगत में, भारत और वेस्ट इंडीज दो अभिष्ट टीमें मानी जाती हैं, जिनमें शतकीय बल्लेबाजी, दमदार गेंदबाजी, और दमदार फील्डिंग होती है। इन…

[amittarora]

🏏 #TEST Match #LIVE #Today - #INDIAvsWestIndies !

At the #QueensParkOval stadium in #PortofSpain, #TrinidadandTobago!

@IndianCricketTeam !

#INDvsWI ... #INDIA vs #WestINDIES ~

( #5Day #International #Cricket #TestMatch #Match )

N Cmon #TeamINDIA #Cmon, You ought to #Win this n seal it Guys!

Heartiest #Wishes,

#AmittARORA

[just2bubbly]

ab kal ke match ka heartfelt ramble ka waqt aaya hai honestly there's sm energy in me and it has to go somewhere, I'm gonna start off with the tournament as a whole, because some teams like Afghanistan and South Africa do deserve their appreciation as well. They both managed to do what their own teams before then failed to- playing a final and semi-final is a feat worth achieving ✨🙌🏻 and they managed to do it. We saw some good old West Indies back and that brought back a sense of childhood who had seen the likes of DJ Bravo and Chris Gayle play. Now as a fellow indian, seeing the Australian being defeated by Afghanistan and then later us 🥳 only to pin down their hope on Bangladesh- IT FELT SO SURREAL, LIKE YES BITCH CUMMINS THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR BEING SO RUDE (and 19 Nov ka badla hum toh Aussies se bohot baar lenge, with dugna lagaan)

Ind vs Eng, was the ultimate banger for me, the whole transition from a 10 wicket loss to 10 wicket haul was just amazing!! And sometimes we Indians forget the essence of our own bowlers in our team, but this wc was all about bowlers (ours and other countries)- after the ipl bashing, this entire month must have felt so hopeful to them. We got so many players like Bumrah, Maharaja, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq defending low scoring matches- these matches that kept us as audience on edge. What a beautiful time to be a skilled bowler!

Now coming to yesterday, as a person that had nothing against South Africa as such but only had love for India- I deeply feel sorrow for your loss. I guess, we Indians know better than anyone how it feels to win all matches and then lose the final. I believe, your captain Markram is gonna do the magic our Rohit Sharma did last night. You just have to believe in him!

And to my beautiful Men in Blue- kal toh dil jeet liya 🥹🙌🏻 Everyone had been so worked up in the entire tournament. All of 11 players deserved the world cup, especially those that had played the 19 Nov. Last night's match was taking my breath away every over, it was so suspenseful and thriller and in the words of Sidhu "yeh match nazuk dil walo ke liye nahi hai" and it definitely wasn't and Bapu tumne toh humari jaan leli kal with that over (jeet mei sab maaf hai) but thank you Sky for taking the catch which people will talk about 10 years from now and thank you Hardik for not breaking our trust in that last over (Rohit did kiss you on behalf of 1.5 billion people yesterday 😚) but more than thank you to Captain that ended the trophy draught and thank you to the Coaches! ❤️

To Rahul Dravid, who was so intense yesterday- Indiranagar ka gunda jag gaya kal full 🥹😂 but thank you so much for making us what we are!! We are going to miss you so much 🫂🥹 and to Rohit and Kohli, we aren't sure if t20i will ever be same without you.

to the indian cricket team, WE ARE SO FUCKING PROUD OF YOU!! 💙🇮🇳

[backyardcricketer]

Take a bow, West Indies!

Shamar Joseph - a security guard with 4 first-class match experience, got his toe split open yesterday and came and won it for his team. Unbelievable!

Brian Lara and Carl Hooper were in tears. And Adam Gilchrist and Ian Smith were happy for them. So beautiful to see.

WI just beat England in the undergoing Under-19 World Cup 2024. They've now beat Australia in Australia in Tests. And they beat India some time ago in T20I. Not qualifying for World Cup 2023 was a blow but I hope they take these wins as inspiration to take their cricket forward. Phenomenally spirited and inspiring performance today.

[icecricnewsupdates]

Who is the Cricket World's Best Player?

The question of who is the greatest cricketer of all time has been a perennial debate among fans and pundits alike. While the answer is often subjective and influenced by personal biases, there are several players who have consistently dominated the sport and made a strong case for the title. Let's explore some of the contenders and the factors that contribute to their greatness.

The Modern Era Dominators: Kohli, Smith, and Kane Williamson

The past decade has witnessed the rise of three exceptional talents who have redefined the standards of batting. Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson have consistently produced match-winning performances across all formats, solidifying their status as the modern era's premier batsmen.

♯1. Virat Kohli: The Indian captain's aggressive style, impeccable timing, and ability to adapt to different conditions have made him a nightmare for bowlers. His record-breaking centuries and his leadership qualities have cemented his place among the all-time greats.

♯2. Steve Smith: The Australian's unorthodox technique and his ability to score runs at will have made him a force to be reckoned with. Smith's consistency and his ability to perform under pressure have earned him widespread admiration.

♯3. Kane Williamson: The New Zealand captain's elegant strokeplay and his calm demeanor have made him a joy to watch. Williamson's ability to anchor the innings and his match-winning performances have solidified his reputation as one of the best batsmen in the world.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

The All-Round Legends: Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, and Jacques Kallis

The all-rounders who have excelled in both batting and bowling have always been held in high regard. Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, and Jacques Kallis are among the most iconic all-rounders of all time.

♯1. Imran Khan: The former Pakistan captain's swing bowling and his classy batting made him a complete cricketer. His leadership qualities and his contributions to his country's success have earned him legendary status.

♯2. Kapil Dev: The Indian fast bowler's ability to swing the ball both ways and his useful batting made him a valuable asset to the team. His leadership in the 1983 World Cup-winning team cemented his place in Indian cricket history.

♯3. Jacques Kallis: The South African all-rounder's consistency and his ability to perform in all conditions have made him one of the greatest cricketers of his generation. His contributions with both bat and ball have been invaluable to his country.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

The Timeless Greats: Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and West Indies Legends

While the modern era has produced some exceptional talents, there are a few players who have transcended generations and are considered among the greatest of all time. Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and the West Indies legends of the 1970s and 1980s are among the most revered names in cricket history.

♯1. Don Bradman: The Australian legend's batting average of 99.98 remains the highest in Test cricket history. His dominance over bowlers and his ability to score runs at will have made him a mythical figure in the sport.

♯2. Sachin Tendulkar: The Indian "Master Blaster" broke countless records during his illustrious career. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his consistency have made him one of the most beloved cricketers of all time.

♯3. West Indies Legends: The West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s boasted a formidable lineup of fast bowlers and powerful batsmen. Players like Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, and Joel Garner dominated world cricket for over a decade.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

[the-busy-ghost]

Irregular bit of cricket-posting for the two and a half mutuals interested on this website, none of them likely to be online at the moment, and also on the offchance I convert a bored dash-scroller.

The first test match ever staged in Northern Ireland is being played at the moment. Northern Ireland is largely represented at a test level by an Cricket Ireland, so this is an all-Ireland team involving players from both the Republic and the North. They are currently playing Zimbabwe at Stormont in Belfast.

Although I have recently become a big TMS fan and therefore have England vs the West Indies blaring on the radio, I know that it's possible to follow the score on the BBC here. But if anyone knows any local radio that's covering it, would love to know.

[digitaldetoxworld]

Cricketing Giants Collide: Notable ODI encounters between South Africa and West Indies Analyzing Face-Offs

 The cricketing competition among  Notable ODI encounters between South Africa and the West Indies is one characterized by way of exhilarating suits, dramatic moments, and the display of extremely good expertise. Both groups have wealthy histories and have contributed notably to the game, every bringing their particular patterns and flair to the sport. This contention, even though not as longstanding as a few others in cricket, has furnished lovers with numerous memorable encounters.

Historical Context

South Africa and West Indies historical cricket rivalry The West Indies, a group representing a group of Caribbean international locations, commenced making their mark on global cricket within the early 1900s, but it become inside the Seventies and Eighties that they definitely ruled the sport. Their group, beneath the captaincy of Clive Lloyd and later Vivian Richards, changed into acknowledged for its aggressive batting, speedy bowling assault, and typical dominance in world cricket. During this period, the West Indies had been in reality unbeatable, showcasing a number of the quality skills the sport has ever visible.

South Africa’s tour of West Indies 2024 itinerary cricketing adventure, then again, turned into marked with the aid of a long duration of isolation due to the apartheid regime. The country was banned from international cricket from 1970 to 1991. After rejoining the cricketing fold in 1991, South Africa speedy hooked up itself as a major pressure in international cricket. With players like Allan Donald, Hansie Cronje, and later, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, South Africa brought a brand new degree of competitiveness to the game.

Early Encounters

The first Test fit between South Africa and the West Indies occurred in 1992, shortly after South Africa's return to international cricket. The series was considerable as it marked South Africa’s reentry into the worldwide cricketing area. The West Indies, led by way of their bold group, had been a robust test for the newly reintegrated South Africans.

In that series, South Africa won the primary Test suit at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, putting the tone for a competitive series. The West Indies bounced again in the 2d Test, demonstrating their resilience. The collection ended in a 2-1 victory for the West Indies, with the fits showcasing the excessive degree of ability and competitive spirit that would define future encounters among the two teams.

Key Players and Performances

Over the years, each groups have been domestic to some of the finest cricketers inside the world. For the West Indies, players like Brian Lara, who holds the document for the highest individual score in Test cricket (four hundred not out), were crucial. Lara's performances towards South Africa had been frequently sport-changers, as he might consistently score massive runs and positioned the opposition below pressure.

Similarly, for South Africa, gamers like Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn were instrumental of their cricketing achievement. Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders within the history of cricket, has been a key figure in severa fits towards the West Indies, contributing with each bat and ball. Dale Steyn, recognized for his competitive speedy bowling, has often been the spearhead of South Africa's attack, supplying crucial breakthroughs and dismantling opposition batting line-ups.

Notable Matches

Several memorable suits have described the South Africa-West Indies rivalry. One such sport became the Test suit in Cape Town in 1999. South Africa, led through their captain Hansie Cronje, chased down a challenging target of 369 runs set by the West Indies. The suit is remembered for its dramatic end and the resilience proven by way of the South African crew.

In the One Day International (ODI) layout, the 2003 Cricket World Cup encounter among South Africa and the West Indies is in particular great. The healthy, held at Newlands in Cape Town, saw South Africa secure a win with the aid of a margin of 3 wickets. This victory changed into essential for South Africa, because it showcased their capacity to carry out beneath pressure in excessive-stakes games.

Another iconic fit turned into the T20 World Cup game in 2009, where the West Indies, led with the aid of their captain Darren Sammy, controlled to steady a win in opposition to South Africa. This in shape changed into sizeable as it highlighted the West Indies' prowess within the T20 layout, in the end leading them to win the event.

The Modern Era

In latest years, the contention has persevered to be aggressive, although the nature of the contests has evolved with modifications in the game. South Africa has remained a strong force in international cricket, whilst the West Indies have skilled a extra fluctuating period. Despite this, encounters between the 2 groups are always predicted with exhilaration.

The evolution of the sport, consisting of the upward push of T20 leagues like the IPL and CPL, has added a new measurement to the rivalry. Players from both teams now frequently compete towards every other in these leagues, adding a layer of intrigue to their international encounters. The affect of these leagues has delivered a new fashion of play, blending aggressive batting with modern strategies, which regularly reflects inside the worldwide video games.

Impact and Legacy

The South Africa-West Indies  cricket live streaming options contention has had a considerable effect on the game of cricket. It has contributed to the development of the game by using showcasing numerous kinds of play and introducing fanatics to tremendous cricket. The matches among these  teams have regularly been a show of skill, method, and sportsmanship.

Both groups have a rich legacy of manufacturing cricketing legends and providing enthusiasts with thrilling matches. Their encounters continue to be a spotlight of international cricket, celebrated for their competitive spirit and the excessive level of performance.

[pitchperspective-23]

India's T20 World Cup Triumph 2024

 "Dhoni finishes off in style, It's India who win the World Cup." These lines said by Ravi Shastri had gone old with respect to India's World Cup Trophy drought. The most dominating team in bilateral series could not win an ICC Trophy and this was the biggest disappointment for ICT fans. After losing the 2023 world cup final, the first thought which came into my mind was that most probably 2024 t20 wc would be the last world cup Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play together. So, this was their only chance for a world cup glory and they did not gave us a feeling of dismay, sadness and disappointment but an year full of cherishing memories, joy and happiness

India won the T20 World Cup 2024 happening in the USA and West Indies. They became the only team to win a world cup staying unbeaten. Their journey to the final was a happening one from the high pressure game against or the game against Australia. Especially, the game against Pakistan was a sheer representation of the evolution of Indian team's pace battery in the last decade. From 98 percentage of winning the match with Pakistan our pace battery broke their dreams of winning a game against India as they took the game from them in the last 10 overs. From the first game to the last one, India never looked a under confident or worn out team as they dominated everybody they faced badly. One such win was against Australia in the Super Eight which was personal for every Indian citizen ( If you know what I am talking about). Rohit's knock in that game was the indication of the frustration he had in himself after every knockout loss in every world cup in the last 5-6 years with more respect to 19th November. Then comes the Semifinal against England and that transition from 10 wicket win to 10 wickets out was outstanding. The game was one sided as soon as England completed their powerplay during the batting stint. Every cricket in the team was hungry of that silverware. So, they never looked back to the losses they had been facing but focused on their race to the unmatched legacy of winning a World Cup Trophy. The final was the best which could happen in an ICC tournament. It was not a cricket match a display of every emotion one can imagine in a game of cricket. India set a target of 177 and defend for India seemed easy until Klaseen smashed 24 runs in the 15th over and his team needed just 30 of 30 balls. India's pace attack pulled off a blinder from that stage by first Bumrah giving an economical over and then Hardik took the wicket of Klaseen to shift the momentum of the game on his side. The hidden hero was Arshdeep Singh who also pulled of two brilliant overs at the right - one in the middle and the other in the death. Last over consisted of South Africa requiring 16 runs and Hardik had to defend them. The first ball was a full toss indicating the pressure Hardik had with respect to his last 6 months. Miller swung his bat so hard but could not get the middle and it was the sticker that touched his bat but it was enough to go to the boundary but not above it as Suryakumar Yadav caught the ball and fancied India's chances to get the silverware. 

Virat Kohli was in tears and Rohit Sharma lied down to celebrate their undermining hard work in the last decade and the last time in this format. The pair decided to announce their retirement from T20I's together after getting their hands on the silverware. Looking back to their world cup triumph I see a roller coaster ride filled with emotions of joy, happiness and satisfaction. The trophy weighing 12kg which they lifted had made 1.3 billion people happy back home which they expressed through lighting firecrackers and doing individual parades. India became the first cricket team to win a T20I world cup unbeaten displaying their want to get hands on the trophy badly and they gave everything for it. We also gave everything for it and got the result back paying the debt of our worshipping to the team from the last 17 freaking years.  

Ravi Shastri's lines were replaced by the ones - Long on, Long On and what a catch, Suryakumar takes it and Miller's gone !!!!!!!!

[3nn-express]

India T20 World Cup Wins in the Final Match

India T20 World Cup Wins: India has won its second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. This victory puts them alongside West Indies and England as top winners. The team won against South Africa by seven runs in the 2024 final game. This win ends a 13-year wait for global success, proving their strength in cricket. The historic Indian T20 World Cup moment marks India as a major team in world cricket.

Article Source Link

[windies-warriors]

What Things To Consider While Buying West Indies Cricket Team Merch?

The merchandise refers to the official products and merchandise associated with a particular west indies cricket team, which are usually sold to fans and supporters of the team. These can include a variety of items, such as clothing (e.g., team jerseys, t-shirts, caps, hats, and hoodies), accessories (e.g., keychains, wristbands, phone cases, and backpacks), and other fan merchandise (e.g., flags, banners, posters, and stickers). Read more here:- https://medium.com/@windieswarriors123/what-things-to-consider-while-buying-west-indies-cricket-team-merch-5b204af51aec

[cryingforcrocodiles]

Question: thots on the West Indies team? 👀

hola ali. i have zero besides that the lot of them r SOOOOO foine. heard they have a match coming up and it will be my first time ever watching cricket bc those men are foine. what are your thoughts? r u rooting them?

[vedansh23]

The Allure of Cricket: A Worldwide Sporting Phenomenon

Introduction

Cricket is a team sport that originated in England and has gained immense global popularity. It involves two teams, each consisting of eleven players, taking turns to bat and field. The team batting tries to score runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets, while the team fielding aims to dismiss the batsmen and limit their runs.

The game is typically played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. The objective is for one team to score more runs than the other. Runs are earned by the batsmen, who try to hit the ball bowled by the opposing team's bowler and run between wickets. The fielding team's goal is to dismiss the batsmen by getting them out in various ways, such as catching the ball or hitting the stumps with the ball. Cricket matches can last from a few hours to five days, depending on the format.

Cricket is played in various formats, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches. Test matches are played over several days, emphasizing endurance and strategy. ODIs are limited to 50 overs per side, and T20 matches are even shorter, with each team facing just 20 overs.

Cricket's popularity spans across continents, with strong followings in countries like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies, among others. Major tournaments like the Cricket World Cup, held for both ODIs and T20s, capture global attention. The sport has a massive fan base, and international matches draw large audiences both at stadiums and through broadcasting. Cricket players become iconic figures, and the sport holds a significant place in the cultural fabric of many nations.

[daddyscore]

Former India Cricket Player Aakash Chopra's statement on Hardik Pandya

After winning the test series against the West Indies cricket team under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, Team India is now heading toward the ODI series, and this time they are going to face the Shai Hope-led WI team. On Thursday, July 27, both teams will be facing each other for the first ODI.

With the series, India will start their preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023 and will also look forward to making their combinations right before the mega event. Before the first ODI match at Kensington Oval, Experts Abhinav Mukund, Aakash Chopra, and Saba Karim analysed the role of Hardik Pandya in the team India setup.

Aakash Chopra, while analysing Hardik, said that I am viewing him as someone who can give you 5 or 6 overs but not consistently give you 10 overs. Well, we will also find out in 3 ODIs whether he is actually bowling or not, and if he is bowling, then how many overs captain Rohit Sharma gave him to bowl.

[cricketdirectuk]

Fearless, forceful, fanatic England

by Rex Clementine

Fanatics are people who have excess enthusiasm for their political or religious beliefs. So are England’s cricket team. They fanatically believe that there is no room for defending and building a total like they have done for decades. Their new theory is to go harum-scarum, and this strategy is forcing opposition teams into submission.

We witnessed a crazy opening day of the first Test match as records tumbled. This is the new brand of cricket that England want to play. Ruthless and fearless and when they do, the opposition is left with very little to do.

England mind you are playing their first Test match in Pakistan after 17 years. In Rawalpindi the entire squad was hit with a  stomach bug and nobody was sure whether the Test match would get underway on time. But when it did all this proved to be false alarms.

England are playing Test match cricket like T 10 cricket. They are throwing caution to wind and they are not taking a backward step.

They ended day one on 506 for four. That’s the highest score ever on the first day of a Test match. And mind  you this was not after 90 overs of play, as stipulated by playing conditions. Only 75 overs were possible on day one due to bad light. This is insane and something that the sport had never seen before. Not during the West Indies domination of world cricket in 1970s and 1980s. Not during Sanath Jayasuriya’s pinch hitting during 2000s. Not even during Don Bradman days when he was putting bowlers to the sword a century ago.

The point is that England is not banking on just one or two batters. Everyone is contributing. There were four centurions on day one and this is the first time four guys have scored hundreds on the opening day of the Test match.

Openers Zak Crawley (122) and Ben Duckett (107) added 174 runs in the opening session, the most runs scored in the first session of a Test match.

Crawley took just 86 deliveries for his hundred, the fastest by an England opener.

There was an Ollie People masterclass after that as he smashed a run a ball century and finally Harry Brook came to the crease and reached his hundred in 80 balls. It’s the third fastest hundred by an Englishman and the 25th fastest in the history of Test cricket. No prizes for guessing who has scored the fastest hundred in Test match cricket – it’s a certain Brendon McCullum, who also overseas England’s new aggressive approach.

[pct-zindabad]

THE WRATH OF KHAN

Imran Khan is indisputably Pakistan’s greatest cricketer. As an all-rounder, he bears comparison with the best there have ever been, a skillful fast bowler and resourceful batsman with a solid defense. But all of them he was a great leader that he really stood out. If you see the history of Pakistan cricket, it shows that Pakistan is a notoriously difficult team to captain.

But he had the massive charisma and stature to unify them and drive them to play above themselves, and that is quite a talent. His finest hour was undoubtedly guiding Pakistan to their first World Cup triumph in 1992, top-scoring with 72 in the final against England at MCG in front of 87k spectators. Although, Imran’s famously imploring his team earlier in the tournament when their hopes hung by a thread to fight ‘like cornered tigers’.

But he has to his name several other outstanding achievements. Imran Khan-led Pakistan to their first Test series wins in both India 1986-87 – obviously a huge thing in his country – and England in 1987. He also led Pakistan to three drawn series in a row against West Indies when West Indies were at the height of their powers. Pakistan, in fact, were the first side to seriously challenge West Indian supremacy.

When they won Test Match at Guyana in 1988, then it was the first time in ten years that West Indies had lost a home Test. The major contribution of Imran Khan when he took 11 wickets in the game. In his career, Imran claimed 80 wickets at 21.18 apiece against West Indies, an incredible record given how strong they were at the time.

He scored some important runs against them too, notably in his final series against West Indies in 1990– 91 when he averaged 50.33 (his overall average against West Indies was 27.67). Imran, who led Pakistan on and off for ten years from 1982 to 1992, mentored some fine players during that period, notably fast bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Aaqib Javed.

Especially two w’s who swung the ball at pace even greater distances than he did. Imran had the bearing of a leader and for the most part, the players followed. Captaincy elevated his game to a striking degree, averaging 50.55 with the bat and 19.90 with the ball. He turned himself into a considerable bowler with an astonishing record inside Pakistan where visiting fast bowlers tended to find life desperately hard.

Imran himself took 163 wickets at 19.20 apiece there, a better record than he had elsewhere (his overall record was a hugely impressive 362 wickets in 88 Tests at 22.81 each; no one had taken more for Pakistan at the time he retired). Some of the famous players never faced him in Pakistan as he was nursing a stress fracture that prevented him from bowling for the best part of two years when toured therein 1983–84.

England encountered him in 1982 and 1987 and he was a major force both times. In three Tests in 1982, when we were perhaps a little fortunate to win the series 2–1, he scored 212 runs and took 21 wickets. However, he came to England with a passion to beat England in England in 1987. And he led the Pakistan side to do the first time.

In that series, he again took 21 wickets and was the match-winner with the ball in the one game that had a positive outcome at Headingly Leeds. Imran Khan bowling immaculately to take seven for 40 in the second innings. Imran, who was at Oxford in the early 1970s and from there joined Worcestershire, started out as a brisk medium-pacer but through determination and intelligence turned himself into a genuine fast bowler of quality. His two cousins Majid Khan and Javed Burki also led the Pakistan cricket team in the 1960s and 1970s.

Many cricketers remember facing him in one of their earliest games for Leicestershire at around the time he was stepping up his pace. It was the day after David Gower took an early exit from university and we were playing a Benson & Hedges Cup quarter-final at Worcester on a good old New Road pitch with pace and bounce. Gower was caught at slip off him and the ball carried a long way behind me, always a good measure of someone’s speed.

At the age of 18, he made a test debut against England at Edgbaston in 1971 but did not take a permanent place due to below-par performance. Hence, he continued to focus on his education and cricket in England and come back to the side in 1974 on the tour of England.

In county cricket in the period from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, Imran would have been up there with Mike Procter and Malcolm Marshall as among the best at swinging the ball at pace. Perhaps the thing that completed his education was joining World Series, from which he emerged a far better bowler, learning from watching and working with so many other fine fast bowlers recruited by Kerry Packer. Imran Khan’s charismatic personality and athletic talent made him a popular celebrity all over the world.

In 1976, Imran took 6 for 63 and 6 for 102, for a match figure of 12 wickets to lead his country to 8 wickets win in the 3rdTest at Sydney. This spell surprises the whole Australian team and Pakistani dressing room. Before that match, he was having 9 test matches experience with 25 wickets under his belt with a heavy average of 43.52. Pakistan was trailing 0-1 in the tough series, but Imran’s hostile bowling spell makes Pakistan a marked ascent in the world of cricket.

In 1980, Imran Khan scored 123 runs in the first Test century against the powerful bowling attack of West Indies at Lahore. The years in which he played from 1980 to 1986, on either side of his lay-off for the stress fracture, he was taking his Test wickets at a very cheap cost. In 1982 he returned what remains the best match figures for Pakistan in Tests of 14 for 114 against Sri Lanka in Lahore. The following winter he took an incredible 40 wickets at 13.95 in six Tests against India.

What the Pakistan bowlers, led by Imran and Sarfraz Nawaz, seemed to understand better than everyone else was the mysterious art of swinging the old ball. Therefore, for a batsman, coping with anyone who could move the ball – whether old or new – both ways were always a challenge. You worked hard to get your runs.

The early 1980s was a great era for all-rounders with Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev all doing great things and rivaling each other for the status of top dog. In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, Khan decided to quit international cricket. But later, the Pakistan public and Zia-ul-Haq the Prime Minister requested him to take back his retirement. He could not reject the public appeal and return to international cricket until 1992.

In terms of bowling, Imran was perhaps consistently the quickest of them. Botham had times where he bowled with the same sort of pace, Hadlee could bowl a sharp delivery if needed but in comparison was slightly down on pace overall, and Kapil was brisker medium than brisk. But they all moved the ball in the air or hit the seam or both, and that was really what made them so difficult to face.

In July 1987, Imran became the first Pakistani bowler to take 300 wickets milestone during the 3rd Test vs England at Lords. If you see the stats, then Imran and Hadlee stood well out in front, averaging around 22 while Botham and Kapil took their wickets at a cost in the high 20s, a reflection really that they were unable to maintain their early brilliance into older age.

Ian Botham probably ranked first as a batsman but Imran, who began his career down the order, developed into a seriously good top-order player and accordingly ended up with six Test hundreds to his name (Botham made 14, Kapil eight, and Hadlee two). Imran kept on improving and became a world-class batsman in all forms.

Indeed, towards the end of his career, he was playing more as a batsman who bowled than a bowler who batted, and when he scored those runs in the 1992 World Cup final, he was batting at number 3. His Test record with the bat was highly respectable, an average of 37.69 comparing well to Botham’s 33.54, Kapil’s 31.05, and Hadlee’s 27.16.

Imran retired from all forms of cricket after winning the 1992 world cup. What gives Imran preeminence in this all-rounder fest is his stature as a leader of a national side that had previously lacked any direction. Since Imran, Pakistan cricket has rarely been stable. Talented players continue to be produced in extraordinary numbers given the absence of a coherent domestic structure.

But it has been engulfed in more than one corruption scandal, while a terrorist attack on a touring Sri Lanka team in 2009 has forced them since to set up a new home in the Middle East. Imran himself has entered politics in the ambitious hope of addressing his country’s many problems. After retirement, he entered politics and outspoken critic of government corruption in Pakistan.

Imran Khan laid the foundation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 1996. Imran Khan started a new journey into Pakistan politics and continued their efforts after badly failing in the 2002, and 2007 elections. Eventually, his efforts bring some happiness to his party becoming a strong candidate for the 2013 elections.

Even in one accident he badly injured his neck and back to falling from a platform at an election campaign rally. Therefore, his braveness in fighting against corruption & poverty won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 elections. Then he became the 22nd prime minister of Pakistan. The first cricketer to be knighted a prime minister of any country.

Imran Khan remains a philanthropist in the public eye. He has a great passion to build a cancer hospital after his mother died of those diseases in 1985. His wish was fulfilled by completing Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore in 1994 named after Khan’s mother.