The Sean
Cricketer Of The Year
Two in one day - who said I don't spoil you lot? We continue our countdown with the one and only Lion of Lahore...
7.
Imran Khan | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Nominated by 92% of voters - highest ranking no.3
Imran Khan Niazi is a tall, dark and handsome Pakistani aristocrat of immense personal wealth, status and charm who mixes in the highest circles, is an active charity worker, a political activist, has a degree in Political Science from Oxford University and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Bradford. In short, he is the kind of man who makes most others feel utterly inferior in every way even without acknowledging the rather significant fact that he somehow found the time to be the greatest cricketer his country has ever produced, and both one of the finest fast bowlers and one of the finest all rounders in the history of the game. Imran was still a teenager when he made his Test debut for Pakistan in 1971 while doubling as a moderate medium pacer for Worcestershire in the County Championship. While he was considered the outstanding Oxford cricketer of his generation, Imran's early years in international cricket produced few achievements of note, and it was not until a matchwinning 12-wicket haul against Australia in 1976 that he truly announced himself, after which Imran was a key all round performer for two years of World Series cricket, further establishing his reputation among cricket's elite players.
By the turn of the 1980s, Imran had moved into cricket's stratosphere and he stayed there. A change of action had increased his speed tremendously and as a bowler alone he achieved greatness, comfortably sitting alongside Marshall and Hadlee as one of the top three of his generation, and ergo among the greatest of all time. Imran averaged sub-20 with the ball for a barely-believable eight consecutive series in the 1980s - the high watermark coming in a six-Test series against India which yielded 40 wickets at less than 14 on slow, hard dustbowls. During that series he also averaged 61 with the bat and followed Ian Botham as only the second man to score a century and take ten wickets in a single Test. Imran's ability with the bat made him a genuine all rounder - indeed, he played for some time as a specialist batsman for Pakistan when he was unable to bowl due to injury. The numbers have been quoted on many occasions but still bear repeating - his last 10 years of international cricket spanned 51 Tests and in these matches Imran averaged 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball. On top of all that, Imran was an outstanding captain who marshalled Pakistan's talented but previously disorganised troops into the one outfit in world cricket who could compete with the all conquering West Indians on an even keel. Imran's Test immortality was already well and truly assured by the end of his career, but he also went out on the highest possible note in his limited overs career by captaining Pakistan to World Cup glory in Australia in 1992, taking the final wicket with his last delivery in international cricket. As the greatest figure in his country's sporting history, it seemed only appropriate that he should leave the game by giving them their greatest ever moment.
Your all time number 6 will follow in the next day or so...
7.
Imran Khan | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com
Nominated by 92% of voters - highest ranking no.3
Imran Khan Niazi is a tall, dark and handsome Pakistani aristocrat of immense personal wealth, status and charm who mixes in the highest circles, is an active charity worker, a political activist, has a degree in Political Science from Oxford University and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Bradford. In short, he is the kind of man who makes most others feel utterly inferior in every way even without acknowledging the rather significant fact that he somehow found the time to be the greatest cricketer his country has ever produced, and both one of the finest fast bowlers and one of the finest all rounders in the history of the game. Imran was still a teenager when he made his Test debut for Pakistan in 1971 while doubling as a moderate medium pacer for Worcestershire in the County Championship. While he was considered the outstanding Oxford cricketer of his generation, Imran's early years in international cricket produced few achievements of note, and it was not until a matchwinning 12-wicket haul against Australia in 1976 that he truly announced himself, after which Imran was a key all round performer for two years of World Series cricket, further establishing his reputation among cricket's elite players.
By the turn of the 1980s, Imran had moved into cricket's stratosphere and he stayed there. A change of action had increased his speed tremendously and as a bowler alone he achieved greatness, comfortably sitting alongside Marshall and Hadlee as one of the top three of his generation, and ergo among the greatest of all time. Imran averaged sub-20 with the ball for a barely-believable eight consecutive series in the 1980s - the high watermark coming in a six-Test series against India which yielded 40 wickets at less than 14 on slow, hard dustbowls. During that series he also averaged 61 with the bat and followed Ian Botham as only the second man to score a century and take ten wickets in a single Test. Imran's ability with the bat made him a genuine all rounder - indeed, he played for some time as a specialist batsman for Pakistan when he was unable to bowl due to injury. The numbers have been quoted on many occasions but still bear repeating - his last 10 years of international cricket spanned 51 Tests and in these matches Imran averaged 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball. On top of all that, Imran was an outstanding captain who marshalled Pakistan's talented but previously disorganised troops into the one outfit in world cricket who could compete with the all conquering West Indians on an even keel. Imran's Test immortality was already well and truly assured by the end of his career, but he also went out on the highest possible note in his limited overs career by captaining Pakistan to World Cup glory in Australia in 1992, taking the final wicket with his last delivery in international cricket. As the greatest figure in his country's sporting history, it seemed only appropriate that he should leave the game by giving them their greatest ever moment.
Your all time number 6 will follow in the next day or so...
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