Saturday 11 August 2012

Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf Biography

Mohammad Yousuf (formerly Yousuf Youhana, born 27 August 1974, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan) is a Pakistani cricketer who has been a member of the Pakistani national cricket team since 1998. He is best known for his achievement in 2006 when he broke the great West Indian batsman, Sir Vivian Richards', world record for the most Test runs in a single calendar year. Prior to his conversion to Islam in 2005, Yousuf was one of the few Christians to play in the Pakistan national cricket team. He made his Test debut against South Africa at Durban and ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Harare. He has scored over 9,000 ODI runs at an average of 43.63 (2rd highest batting average among Pakistani batsmen after Zaheer Abbas and 6,770 Test runs at an average of 55.49 (highest batting average amongst all Pakistani batsmen) with 23 Test centuries. He has the record of scoring the most runs without being dismissed in ODIs, 405 against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe in 2002-03. He has also scored a 23-ball fifty in ODIs, and a 68-ball hundred. In Tests he has scored a 27-ball fifty, which is 3rd fastest by any player. He was top scorer during the successive years of 2002 and 2003 in the world in ODIs. In 2004, he scored a memorable 111 against the Australians in the Boxing Day Test. In December 2005, he scored 223 against England at Lahore, also earning him the man of the match award. Seven months later in July 2006, when Pakistan toured England, he scored 202 and 48 in the first Test, again earning himself the man of the match award. He followed up with 192 in the third Test at Headingley and 128 in the final Test at the Oval. Yousuf was named CNN-IBN.s Cricketer of the Year for 2006, ahead of the likes of Australian captain Ricky Ponting, West Indies Brian Lara, Australian spinner Shane Warne, South Africa.s bowling spearhead Makhaya Ntini and Sri Lanka.s Muttiah Muralitharan. He was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in the 2007 edition. Yousuf became the fourth recipient of the ICC 'Test Cricketer of the Year' award for 2007, he scored 944 runs at an average of 94.40 including five centuries and two fifties in just 10 innings and that was enough to be awarded the honour ahead of Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting. Yousuf was also named in the 2007 Test team of the Year alongside compatriot Mohammad Asif. A year that started on a promising note, Yousuf carried it forward to break two world records both held earlier by West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards. The 32-year-old smashed an unparalleled 1788 runs in just 11 Test matches with the help of nine centuries . his second record . taking him beyond the Windies great yet again. Yousuf is known for his ability to score runs at exceptional rate through his great technique and composed strokeplay. Although capable of hitting the ball hard, Yousuf is quick between the wickets, although he is prone to being run out. Yousuf is a skillful infielder, with a report prepared in late 2005 showing that since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, he had effected the ninth highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman. He is also distinguished by his characteristic celebration after hitting one hundred runs for his country, where he prostrates in thankfulness to Allah in the direction of Mecca. He has observed this act (known as the Sajdah) recently since his conversion to Islam.
Major teams Pakistan, Asia XI, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Lahore Badshahs, Lancashire, Pakistan International Airlines, Warwickshire, Water and Power Development Authority, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak
Mohammad Yousuf Profile

Until his conversion to Islam in 2005, Mohammad Yousuf (formely known as Yousuf Youhana) was one of a handful of Christians to play for Pakistan. After a difficult debut against South Africa in 1997-98, he quickly established himself as a stylish world-class batsman, and a pillar of Pakistan's middle order, alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq. He is no sluggard, but gathers his runs through orthodox, composed strokeplay, unlike some of his colleagues who seldom hint at permanence. He is particularly strong driving through the covers and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and delicious a backlift as any in the game. A tendency to overbalance when playing across his front leg can get him into trouble. He excels at both versions of the game, and in one-day cricket can score 20 or 30 runs before anyone notices. He is quick between the wickets although not necessarily the best judge of a single. There had been questions about his temperament as batsman when the pressure is on, but between 2004 and 2005, he began to silence critics. First came a spellbindingly languid century against the Australians in Melbourne, as captain to boot, where he ripped into Shane Warne like few Pakistani batsmen have before or since. A century in the cauldron of Kolkatta followed but he ended the year with possibly his most important knock: a double century against England at Lahore so easy on the eye, you almost didn't notice it. With Inzamam missing through injury for parts of the innings, Yousuf displayed an unusual responsibility, eschewing the waftiness that has previously blighted him. In 2006, Yousuf truly came of age in a record-breaking year. He began by plundering India and continued in England, not just scoring under pressure, but scoring big. A double ton at Lord's was followed by another big hundred at Headingly and the Oval. He rounded off a fantastic year with four hundreds in three Tests against the West Indies, a feat that took him past Viv Richards's long-standing record of most Test runs in a calendar year and also saw him establish the record for most Test hundreds (9) in a year. With Inzamam nearing a natural end, the credentials of Yousuf as Pakistan's premier batsman are impressive.

He changed his name from Yousuf Youhana on converting to Islam in September 2005
Teams: Pakistan (Test: 1997/98-2010); Pakistan (ODI: 1997/98-2010/11); Asian Cricket Council XI (ODI: 2004/05-2007); Pakistan (Int Twenty20: 2006-2010); Bahawalpur (Main FC: 1996/97); Water and Power Development Authority (Main FC: 1997/98-2009/10); Lahore City (Main FC: 1997/98); Lahore Blues (Main FC: 2000/01); Pakistan International Airlines (Main FC: 2001/02); Lahore (Main FC: 2003/04); Lancashire (Main FC: 2008); Lahore Shalimar (Main FC: 2010/11); Warwickshire (Main FC: 2011); Bahawalpur (Main ListA: 1996/97); Pakistan International Airlines (Main ListA: 1999/00-2001/02); Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (Main ListA: 2002/03); Lahore (Main ListA: 2003/04); Water and Power Development Authority (Main ListA: 2007/08-2008/09); Lancashire (Main ListA: 2008); Lahore Lions (Main ListA: 2010/11); Warwickshire (Main ListA: 2011); Lahore Lions (Main Twenty20: 2004/05-2011); Islamabad Leopards.

English County Update: Mohammad Yousuf got out after scoring 109-smashing 13 fours and 1 SIX for Warwickshire against Worcestershire, on a poor pitch. Yousuf, defying a treacherous pitch quite unsuited for this level of cricket, gave a masterful demonstration of batting to record the 30th century of his first-class career. Well Done MoYo!

Mohammad Yousuf offered Sajda after he scored his maiden County century.
Batting and fielding averages
Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 14372 52.39 24 33 957 51 65 0
ODIs 288 273 40 9720 141* 41.71 12942 75.10 15 64 785 90 58 0
T20Is 3 3 0 50 26 16.66 43 116.27 0 0 5 1 1 0
First-class 141 239 20 10505 223 47.96 30 51 84 0
List A 338 322 47 11026 141* 40.09 15 75 70 0
Twenty20 23 20 2 357 57* 19.83 322 110.86 0 1 37 8 9 0
Bowling averages
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 90 1 6 3 0 - - - 3.00 - 0 0 0
ODIs 288 2 2 1 1 1/0 1/0 1.00 3.00 2.0 0 0 0
T20Is 3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
First-class 141 18 24 0 - - - 8.00 - 0 0 0
List A 338 8 13 1 1/0 1/0 13.00 9.75 8.0 0 0 0
Twenty20 23 1 1 1 0 - - - 6.00 - 0 0 0
International Debut: 1998
Batting and fielding records
M Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Test 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 14372 52.39 24 33 957 51 65 -
ODI 289 273 40 9670 141* 41.50 12861 75.19 15 63 783 89 56 -
T20I 3 3 0 50 26 16.67 43 116.28 - - 5 1 1 -

Bowling records
M Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Eco SR 4W 5W 10W
Test 90 1 6 3 - - - - 3.00 - - - -
ODI 289 2 2 1 1 1/0 1/0 1.00 3.00 2.00 - - -
T20I 3 - - - - - - - - - - - -

Career Statistics
Test Debut: South Africa v Pakistan at Durban, 26 Feb - 02 Mar 1998
ODI Debut: Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Harare, Mar 28, 1998
Twenty20 Debut: England v England at Bristol, Apr 28, 2006
Mohammad Yousuf is a pillar of Pakistan batting squad setting many records in cricket history. An orthodox middle order batsman, Yousuf is next to none in his style of batting. Although a perfect Test personality, he is equally successful in one-day internationals.

Mohammad Yousuf, formerly known as Yousuf Youhana made a difficult
Test Career Batting and Fielding (1997/98-2010)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct
Pakistan 90 156 12 7530 223 52.29 24 33 52.39 65
Test Career Bowling (2000/01)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI 10wM SRate Econ
Pakistan 6 0 3 0 0-3 3.00
First-Class Career Batting and Fielding (1996/97-2011)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct
Overall 141 239 20 10505 223 47.96 30 51 84
First-Class Career Bowling (1997/98-2001/02)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI 10wM SRate Econ
Overall 18 0 24 0 0-3 8.00
One-Day International Career Batting and Fielding (1997/98-2010/11)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct
Pakistan 281 267 40 9554 141* 42.08 15 62 74.91 55
Asian Cricket Council XI 7 6 0 166 66 27.66 0 2 87.83 3
Overall 288 273 40 9720 141* 41.71 15 64 75.10 58
One-Day International Career Bowling (2004-2006/07)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ
Pakistan 2 0 1 1 1-0 1.00 0 0 2.00 3.00
One-Day Career Batting and Fielding (1996/97-2011)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct
Overall 338 322 47 11026 141* 40.09 15 75 70
One-Day Career Bowling (2001/02-2006/07)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ
Overall 8 0 13 1 1-0 13.00 0 0 8.00 9.75
International Twenty20 Career Batting and Fielding (2006-2010)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct
Pakistan 3 3 0 50 26 16.66 0 0 116.27 1
Twenty20 Career Batting and Fielding (2004/05-2011)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct
Overall 23 20 2 357 57* 19.83 0 1 110.86 9
Twenty20 Career Bowling (2006/07)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 4wI 5wI SRate Econ
Overall 1 0 1 0 0-1 6.00
Recent matches
Bat & Bowl Team Opposition Ground Match Date Scorecard
35 Lahore Lions v R Rams Faisalabad 30 Jun 2011 Twenty20
5 Lahore Lions v Hawks Faisalabad 29 Jun 2011 Twenty20
18 Lahore Lions v Leopards Faisalabad 27 Jun 2011 Twenty20
13 Lahore Lions v S Stallions Faisalabad 25 Jun 2011 Twenty20
0, 0 Warwickshire v Durham Birmingham 24 May 2011 First-class
74* Warwickshire v Durham Birmingham 22 May 2011 List A
27 Warwickshire v Notts Nottingham 18 May 2011 First-class
0* Warwickshire v Leics Leicester 15 May 2011 List A
109, 68 Warwickshire v Worcs Birmingham 11 May 2011 First-class
72 Warwickshire v Northants Northampton 8 May 2011 List A
Profile
This much is at least certain that few Pakistani batsmen have been as elegant as Mohammd Yousuf and fewer still have been as prolific, as hungry to bat as long and bat as big.

Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf 111 vs Australia

Mohammad Yousuf 202 - England v Pakistan

Mohammad Yousuf 192 - England v Pakistan

Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood Biography

Full Name: Azhar Mahmood Sagar
Born: 28 February 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
County: Kent
Other Teams: Islamabad Cricket Association, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi, United Bank Limited, Pakistan, Surrey
Test debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Rawalpindi, Oct 6-10, 1997
ODI debut: India v Pakistan at Toronto, Sep 16, 1996
Batting Style: Right-hand bat
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium

Azhar Mahmood Sagar (Urdu: اظہر محمود ساگر, born February 28, 1975 in Rawalpindi) is a Pakistani cricketer, . Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 90’s. When not doing net practice, Azhar would fancy himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home. Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996, but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed. He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans. He joined the Pakistani team primarily as a medium pacer but he has surprised many by his batting prowess. His hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have also been extremely useful in the one-day game. Unlike most Pakistani pacers who are swing bowlers, he is a useful English-style seam bowler, who can chip in with wickets in time of need.[citation needed] In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain - not based on seniority alone - and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected. Later - in front of some senior players - he told Azhar Mahmood that he will be the next Pakistan captain. Together they would plan the future strategy. But till now this never came to happen.[citation needed] Azhar has played county cricket for Surrey and in November 2007 signed a two year deal to play for Kent[1]. He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007, but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced. He was however recalled to go with the squad to the West Indies after a knee injury to Abdul Razzaq. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup. However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar didn't get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad. Following his exclusion, Mahmood returned to playing county cricket in UK. Over the years, due to his constant exclusion from the Pakistani squad and the fact that he has crossed the 30 year mark in his age, it seems that Mahmood is not as interested in returning to Pakistani line up as he once was. His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up means that his chances for making a return to the national squad are very limited. He has recently signed with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has been released from his central contract. Recently he has received British citizenship, thus allowing him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan side[1].

Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood 5/33 VsIndia FINAL 1999

Azhar Mahmood Devastating Innings vs Leicester Part 1

Double Dhamal by Azhar Mahmood: IPL 2012 - KXIP vs DC

Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal Biography

As explosive starts to one’s International careers go, few can rival Umar Akmal. He announced his entry with scores of 66 and 102* within his first 3 ODI innings (at Sri Lanka, 2009) in addition to a 129 and 75 on Test debut (at New Zealand, 2009). Those performances weren’t a surprise. At first class level, Akmal was renowned for his big scores amassed in quick time. 7 years prior to his debut, Umar’s elder brother Kamran had already gotten his taste of international cricket. By 2010, the siblings featured regularly, in tandem for Pakistan.

As a fearless, middle-order batsman, throughout Pakistan’s disappointing spree of series losses against Sri Lanka in 2009 and later at Australia in early 2010, Umar Akmal’s ascendance was one of their few positives. But as the series in Australia progressed, complacency began to creep into Akmal’s Test form, which started to dip. In ODIs though, a hundred and five fifties by his 18th outing maintained a steady average. It was enough to justify an inclusion in Pakistan’s 2010 T20 World Cup squad. He finished the tournament as Pakistan’s 3rd highest-run getter towards their semi-final run.

While still protected as a batsman, featuring at 3-down, in a Pakistan side that lacks specialist batsmen with the temperament for all forms of the game, Umar Akmal is their most proven rookie to fill the void for the years to come.

Fast Facts

Akmal’s total of 204 runs on his Test debut (against New Zealand) is the 8th highest ever.
It’s also the second highest for a Pakistani debutant behind Yasir Hameed’s 275 in 2003.
Akmal’s 129 on Test debut is the 4th highest for a Pakistani, making him one of only 7 players from his country to score a century on debut. Among those on the list, Akmal is the only centurion to have achieved the feat on foreign soil.

It took Umar Akmal 38 matches (6 Tests, 18 ODIs and 14 T20s) until playing for Pakistan in Pakistan, the third most behind teammate Mohammad Aamer (41) and Sri Lankan Greame Labrooy (53).
Along with brother Kamran Akmal, the Akmals are the 4th blood brothers to feature for Pakistan in the 60-odd years of cricket history.

Among top order batsmen, Akmal has the 4th best strike rate overall (Test, ODI and T20) for Pakistani players. (Minimum of 40 matches).

Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal hits Bishoo with his bat! Very Funny!!!

Umar Akmal 91 runs vs Srilanka

Umar Akmal's Blazing innings79* against England

against England

Younis Khan

Younis Khan Biography

Full name Mohammad Younis Khan
Born November 29, 1977, Mardan, North-West Frontier Province
Current age 31 years 218 days
Major teams Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, Nottinghamshire, Peshawar Cricket Association, Rajasthan Royals, South Australia, Yorkshire
Also known as Younus Khan
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm medium, Legbreak

Younis Khan

Younis Khan

Younis Khan 101(109)-England vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2006
Younis Khan 173 vs England 3rd Test 2006 HD
Younis Khan 200* Vs Bangladesh 2011 HD

Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir Biography

Imran Nazir an other gift of Allah for the Pakistan in the cricket player’s team. But the distrust was that as he offers more genuine promise than most. He is predominantly strong off the back foot, loves forcing all the way through the covers. His hostile behavior towards his cricket passion has had him made as a one-day player. In the initial period of his entrance he couldn’t perform well in his first few Tests.

Ultimately, on the other hand, Glenn McGrath and Co noticed his method and deficient of footwork rather cruelly in two Tests matches against Australia. The preference of Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar moved him upward level, which enhance his career charm and He became National squad against South Africa in 2006-07 because of the consistency in performances in in-land matches. And he was selected for World Cup 2007 team on his volatile performance 39-ball 57-scores, but his three failure match series won’t polish his performance and become a slight decline of his image in the Pakistani people. Over all his performance made him one of the best fielders in the Pakistan cricket team, so he is considered as to be the 1st Pakistani to flip-flop (while intercepting a square cut).

His career-best performance of 160 adjacent to Zimbabwe in the World Cup retained him for the following such tours to Abu Dhabi and Scotland whereas Imran also is being elected for Pakistani cricket training camps. Then he was selected in Twenty20 World Championship and rewarded by a “Central Contract” in July 2007 before representing Pakistan in the home ODI series in opposition to South Africa. Later-on he coupled with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League and performed very well for the Lahore Badshahs, but when the PCB pardoned players to have severed ties with the ICL, Imran Nazir was soon called back into the ODI side.

Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir Out Class Batting (83 of 38 balls)

Imran Nazir Hammering Indian Bowlers

Imran Nazir 58(38) vs New Zealand 1st T20 2009