My favourite all-time Pakistan cricket team

In these tragic times, we need some relief and memories of somewhat less violent days and to remember players of sublime skills.

Pakistan has always been a tormented land, but in 1976 they brought a team to Australia, and later to the West Indies, that represented a new, brash and highly talented team from the sub-continent.

Perhaps this was the first of their great modern teams.

1. Majid Khan (b.1946)
Swashbuckling opener, and cousin of Imran. In the days before helmets, wore a white towelling hat and batted like a demented pirate.

2. Sadiq Mohammed (b.1945)
A left hander, the rock to Majid’s rapier, and younger brother of Mustaq. Solid and dependable.

3. Zaheer Abbas (b.1947)
Sublime batter, the best before Javed came along. Superb style and patient temperament.

4. Javed Miandad (b.1957)
Young gun who would eventually become Pakistan’s greatest batsman. Alley cat taunting drove opponents crazy.

5. Mustaq Mohammed (b.1943)
Took over captaincy from Intikhab and Asif. Excellent, stylish batter and above average leggie.

6. Asif Igbal (b.1943)
Graceful in everything he did, a good man in a crisis. Also a useful medium pacer. Outstanding mid wicket fielder.

7. Imran Khan (b.1952)
It was in 1976 that Imran eventually shed the playboy tag and realised the talent that would make him Pakistan’s greatest ever cricketer.

8. Intikhab Alam (b.1942)
Lost the captaincy due to ever-present politics and place in team with declining skills. At his best a very competent leggie and late order bat.

9. Wasim Bari (b. 1948)
In pure keeping skills, considered the best Pakistan has ever had. But his batting was generally ordinary.

10. Sarfraz Nawaz (b.1948)
Deceptively good paceman with the appearance and temperament of a Mexican bandit. Could bat okay as well.

11. Iqbal Qasim (b.1953)
For a short period of time, a fine, young slow leftarmer who enjoyed some success.

12. Wasim Raja (b.1952)
A left hander, came to the fore especially in the Caribbean with a mountain of runs. Also a useful leggie.

Others:
13. Mudasser Nazar (b.1956)
Played just the one test on this trip, but destined to be one of Pakistan’s best openers, and a competent medium pacer.

14. Haroon Rashid (b.1954)
Good bat and part-time wicket keeper who enjoyed some brief success.

15. Asif Masood (b.1946)
Considered Pakistan’s best paceman before Imran and Sarfraz came along. Bowled a bit like Hadlee, a couple of steps back, then forward.

This team warmed up by thrashing the Kiwis 2-0 at home in a three Test series. A teenage Javed announced himself to the world with a century then double century.

Imran and Sarfraz developed as an excellent opening pace attack.

The team then surprised Australia, levelling the three Test series 1-1. Asif, Zaheer and Majid led the way in batting, while Imran captured twelve wickets in the third Test and another ‘5-for’ in the second Test.

Over in the Windies in early 1977, Pakistan participated in one of the best ever series, going down 1-2 in five Tests. In one drawn Test, the Windies were down to their last pair when stumps were called.

In the other drawn test, Pakistan followed a first innings 194 with a second innings 540 to ensure they escaped comfortably with a draw.

Wasim Raja and Majid led the batting, while Imran carried the bowling magnificently with 24 wickets.