Sunday, 8 May 2011

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq Biography

Inzamam-ul-Haq (born 3 March 1970) is a Pakistani cricketer. He is considered to be one of Pakistan’s best batsmen.He is currently the captain of the Pakistani team.Test Debut: Pakistan v England at Birmingham, 1st Test, 1992. His career highlights are:

Scoring 60 in 37 balls against New Zealand in the semifinal of the 1992 World Cup to win the match that was nearly lost.
Scoring 329 against New Zealand in Lahore during a Test in the 2001-02 season (the twelfth highest score by a batsman)
Scoring 138* to deny Bangladesh victory at Multan.
Becoming the second batsman to score 10,000 runs in one-day inernationals (behind Sachin Tendulkar)
Scoring 184 in his 100th Test, against India at Bangalore in 2005.

Inzamam ul-Haq is well-known for his poor running between the wickets (as of May 2005, he has been run out a record 38 times in one-day internationals) and his ability to play shots around the ground. He has been described as looking “like a passenger in the field”.

He averages just over 50 runs per innings in tests and nearly 40 runs in one-day internationals with a strike rate of 53.65 and 74.20 respectively (figures current as of May 2004). He is called the best batsmen in the world against pace by Imran Khan. Inzamam is a giant that has a very soft touch for a man of his bulk. He usually bats at number three with his sidekick Yousuf Youhana.

He plays shots all round the wicket, is especially strong off his legs, and unleashes ferocious pulls and lofted drives.

Inzamam ul Haq 

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzamam ul Haq



Inzamam ul haq - 1992 Semi Final
Inzamam-ul-Haq 100 vs INDIA 2004 Karachi

Saturday, 7 May 2011

Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis Biography
Waqar Younis Maitla (Urdu: وقار یونس, born November 16, 1971), nicknamed Wiki is a former Pakistani cricketer, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.Well known for his ability to reverse swing the ball, he has 373 Test wickets and 416 ODI wickets to his credit. Waqar has the best strike rate for any bowler with over 200 Test wickets.He also a very good commentator.ow he is bowling coach of Pakistan criket team.

Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
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Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
waqar younis wickets
Waqar Younis 6-59 Vs Aus

Friday, 6 May 2011

Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad Biography
Javed Miandad was Pakistan’s enfant terrible and a batting warrior for Pakistan cricket. He became famous after hitting the winning six on the last ball of the match in the April 1986 match at Sharjah against the Indian bowler Chetan Sharma [ who no doubt was trying to bowl a Yorker , instead let loose with the famous ball type exemplified by the joke "umpire to batsmen taking guard – yes what do you want – batsmen – a full toss on the leg side" ]. This led many a Pakistani calling up their Indian friends on the phone and saying, " This is Miandad speaking ". His other memorable, gritty performances, and there are many, are documented in this delightful book which is a must for every South Asian cricket lover for a rainy day, weekend/ bedtime as well as a serious cricketer’s reading.
Miandad will always be remembered in the annals of Pakistan as not just a street fighting cricketer but a world class batsman and one whose understanding and deep knowledge of the game has led him to become the coach for the present Pakistan team. His current task [not an easy one] is to lead the Pakistani batting line-up out of the woods.
"Cuttting Edge" is his biography written with the help of his friend Dr. Saad Shafqat .For a cricket lover this is a gem of a book, describing how time and again, the Pakistan cricket team has been blessed with raw unknown outsiders who have made their mark in International cricket. From the anecdote of Wasim Akram, who bowled to him in the nets at Karachi in 1984 [ and was so green that he asked Miandad how much money he should take when he got selected for England] , to Miandad’s early childhood days playing street cricket in Ranchore Lines in Karachi [ using the secret weapon of a tennis ball wrapped up in plastic insulating tape to give extra bounce / swing ] and making his first Test hundred [ 163 ] in his first Test appearance in Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium on October 9, 1976 against a pace attack of Hadlee [ which reduced Pakistan to 44 for 3] , this book is Miandad’s way of telling the story of his rise and rise from the humble streets of Karachi to the sophisticated cricket grounds of Lords in London.
Miandad writes endearingly of how his father [a cotton expert and grader at the Karachi Stock Exchange ] and his father’s best friend A.R.Mahmood [ who taught him to play straight bat in the V area between cover and mid-wicket in the early opening of an innings] became the influences of his boyhood cricket days as a batsman, although he would do everything – bowling off-breaks, and wicket keeping in school.
There are 23 Chapters , with a chapter on the "Sharjah" match with India , another one on "Wars with India" , his batting in the World Cup of 1992. There is one entitled " In search of 365 " [ how to get into the bowlers frame of mind and anticipate his next type of ball ] another entitled " Tit for Tat with the West Indies " [ 1987-88 when West Indies and Pakistan were at their peaks –with players such as Lloyd , Richards , Walsh , Ambrose, Marshall . In all these chapters what finally comes through is that Miandad fought for his mark as a world class batsman [ in the league of the top 10 - ]. There are places where Miandad gets stuck on a sticky issue , where he is at pains to show that there was no squabble between him and Imran Khan, but this is contradicted in another chapter called " Picking the gaps " where he rants and raves against the "Oxbridge complex ".
His apologies to Amarnath in the Jaipur match show his character. Many of his words make him come out as a God fearing humble human being. In fact what comes out of this book and this is what Miandad also says is that character is what makes a batsman. Miandad’s praise for other cricketers – especially Gavaskar, his sense of humor and his famous remark to an opposition bowler to provide him with his hotel room number for he wanted to dispatch the ball straight there. Miandad’s opinion on the best batsmen, bowlers are interesting insights into the extreme competition within the sport [ only 8 countries play this game - 4 from south Asia]. These are wonderful joyous words that make one feel the game of cricket is indeed a great game – slightly colonial in its five-day test series - and that South Asians know that and have produced masters such as Miandad.


Javed Miandad



Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad 
Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad's Famous SIXER @ Sharjah
Cricket-Javed Miandad and Kiran More

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram Biography
  • Full Name: Wasim Akram
  • Birthplace: 3 June 1966,Lahore,Punjab
  • ODI Debut: Pakistan vs NewZealand at Faisalabad,2nd ODI,1984/85
  • Test Debut: Pakistan vs NewZealand at Auckland,2nd Test,1984/85
  • Major Teams: Pakistan,Lancashire,Hampshire
  • Bowling Style: Left Hand Fast
  • Batting Style: Left Handed Batsman
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031014/sp2.jpg
Wasim Akram (born June 3, 1966 in Lahore, Punjab) is a former Pakistani cricketer. He was a left-arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman, who represented the Pakistani cricket team in TestsOne-Day Internationals. He is widely regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers ever and holds world records for the most wickets taken in both ODIs (502) and List A cricket (881).

Playing style

An immensely talented player first discovered by Imran Khan, Wasim Akram played for his college(Govt. Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore) as an opening bowler and batsman. As a bowler, Wasim possessed genuine pace, accurate control of line and length and seam position, and could swing the ball both in and out. With a very deceptive ball-concealing action, he could bowl equally well from both sides of the wicket. His mastery of reverse swing with the old ball meant he was at his most dangerous towards the end of an innings, and earned him the nickname Sultan of Swing.
As well as often being able to find the edge of the bat, Wasim would also focus his attack on the stumps and had a particularly lethal yorker. Of his 414 Test wickets, 193 were taken caught, 119 were taken LBW and 102 were bowled.In partnership with Waqar Younis, he intimidated international batsmen in the 1990s. Together Wasim and Waqar, known as “the two Ws” of the Pakistani team, were one of the most successful bowling partnerships ever.
Wasim was also skilled with the bat and was regarded as a bowling all-rounder. He was especially effective against spinners. However, he liked to slog and was criticised for his lack of big scores and giving away his wicket too cheaply for a player of his talent. He did silence his critics in October 1996 when he scored 257, not out, of the team’s total of 553 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. He also made good scores in difficult times for the Pakistan team such as his 123 against Australia and his 45 not-out to take Pakistan to victory in a low-scoring match. Pakistan, needing six runs in two balls two win the Nehru Cup saw Akram come out to bat. The first ball he faced was hit out of the ground and secured the cup. Ahmed Bilal was his coach who gave him tricks on reverse swing.
A Feature by Sidharth Monga
The fifth ODI between Pakistan and South Africa was dedicated to Wasim Akram who retired just after the World Cup. A moment to rejoice for the oppositions all over the world and the way Proteas easily beat Pakistan one could see how Pakistan missed Wasim. But things aren’t forever and as all good things must come to an end, Wasim has finally called it a day. Here’s a piece that I wrote earlier in tribute to the Big W, God’s own left arm.
“First of all, convince yourself that you are the best because the rest of your life is gonna go proving this to others” -Wasim Akram, in a T.V commercial.
One thing Wasim has shown us in his 19 year long career is he enacts what he says. The tremendous confidence he had as a young boy of 18 when some more ordinary guy would be nervous participating in a school debate would make even greatest of champions envious of him. He damn sure knew he was the best and boy, has he proved this to the whole world! Yes he has and in fact, he has done this in a manner that the best of the batsmen in the world fear him. But there’s good news for some new batsmen, the Sultan of Swing has finally decided to retire from international cricket. This would mean batters need not worry about a lanky fast bowler whose run up was a mere 10-15 steps but who could bowl fast, swinging toe crushing yorkers that could render even the best of batsmen mere spectators. And they also need not worry about the late swinging deliveries to which the umpires couldn’t resist raising the finger indicative of an LBW. (29% of his wickets include LBWs!). And bowlers over the world can save themselves blushes, the kind when the very same man got stuck into them and hit them a mile. (Ask Zimbabweans whom he hit for a record number of sixes in his 257 run knock!)
Time and again, I have seen teams fighting back against a Pakistan bowling attack after early setbacks requiring just about one and a half run per ball in the last few overs. But that’s where the party ends-because then the ball is thrown to Wasim and the whole world knows how desperately impossible it is to score at more than a run a ball when Wasim is bowling at the death. Arguably the best bowler at death, his straight late swinging yorkers are responsible for the shortening of most tails all over the world. And who said that with the advent of helmets and protective equipment, tailenders will be able to contribute more? At least not against a Wasim led Pak attack.
They say that with age, flair gives way to simplicity; exuberance gives way to soberness and childhood gives way to wisdom that comes with the realization that you have grown old. Flamboyance and age happen to share a negative correlation, but not with Wasim. You have seen him around for about 19 years now, he must be old. He needs insulin everyday, a severe diabetic, he must be really old. And yet, when you watch him take his n hundred and nth wicket, the childish joy on his face makes you believe he is a young debutant who has just taken his first wicket. That’s Wasim Akram for you. Even at the fag end of his career in World Cup 2003, one cannot forget his consecutive deliveries to get Hayden and Martyn. And who could say he is a 37 year old?
Talk of Wasim and the mind inevitably goes back to World Cup 1992 finals- England cruising towards a victory and all of a sudden Wasim produces two unplayable balls to dismiss Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis in succession. That was when he was at his vintage best. And that he could produce such deliveries consistently when his team desperately needed those is the factor that sets him aside. What’s similar in Steve Wuagh, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Wasim Akram? We all come to expect the unexpected with them. Hand Wasim the ball when nothing is happening for you and he will bring some magic.
It’s a rare breed, this- the left arm pacemen. Come to think of the names and you don’t have much more than Allan Davidson, Gary Sobbers or Bill Voce. But hands down, the best of them all was spotted by one wise man- Javed, ‘The Spotter’ Miandad. In his very first series against New Zealand in 1984-85, he drew comparisons with all the big names mentioned above. In only his second test, he bagged a 10-wicket haul and became the youngest man to do so. And since then, looking behind is one thing he has never done. Now that when he looks into retrospect, he would like to change the 1996 World Cup Quarter Final against India, the 1999 World Cup Final and the supposed match fixing allegations against him. I call these allegations ‘supposed’ because not in my life have I seen him ever give anything less than One Hundred Percent. Yes it hasn’t been all rosy. It never is, for anyone.
He has had to take the wrath of a cricket crazy nation and a corrupt administration for every failure of his, no matter how few and far within these failures have come. Add to this the fact that he has taken a majority of his 916 international wickets on subcontinent pitches- dead as dodos, not to forget a long menu of injuries he has fought. The brunt of Akram’s cricket has been borne by his groin and shoulder. His groin was first operated on in 1988 and again two years later. The latter operation was complicated when an adductor muscle separated from his pelvis, leaving his left leg only half as strong as his right: it was restored only by intensive physiotherapy.
He first experienced shoulder pain seven years ago, while representing Lancashire, and delayed surgery, only to break down when he tried to bowl a bouncer during the Singer Cup Final in Sharjah in April 1997: there were further operations, a six-month lay-off and a regime of painkillers. Add to this, severe diabetes and fading eye sight. And still he continued till 2003 and stayed among the top few bowlers all through. Nothing short of a medical miracle- Is it?
Despite all the match fixing allegations and personal controversies, he still remains the best quick bowler I have seen operate in 20 years of my life.
And what better a testimony than the highest run-getter himself-“If I ever get a chance to be reborn as a cricketer, I would want to be Wasim”-Allan Border

Retirement

Wasim retired in 2003, after a brief spell with Hampshire in England. Since then, Wasim has taken up commentary and can currently be seen as a sportscaster for the ESPN Star network, and is also running shows on ARY Digital.
He is married to Huma Mufti, daughter of Mr. Humayaun Mufti. Huma and Wasim have two sons from their marriage of thirteen years

Records

  • In his Test career, Wasim took 414 wickets in 104 matches, a Pakistani record, at an average of 23.62, and scored 2,898 runs, at an average of 22.64.
  • In One-Day Internationals, Wasim took a world record 502 wickets in 356 appearances, at an average of 23.52, and scored 3,717 runs, at an average of 16.52.
  • Wasim was the first bowler in international cricket to take more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game, and only Muttiah Muralitharan has since achieved this.
  • Wasim Akram also held the record for the most wickets in Cricket World Cups — a total of 55 in 38 matches. Australia’s Glenn McGrath broke the record during the 2007 World Cup, ending with a final tally of 77 from 39 matches.On passing Wasim’s record, McGrath said, “Wasim Akram, to me, is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Left-armer, swung it both ways with the new ball and he was so dangerous with the old ball. To go past him is something I will always remember. Probably the other side of the coin is that if you play long enough, you’re going to break records here and there.”
  • Uniquely, Wasim took four hat-tricks in international cricket, two each in Tests and ODIs. He is one of only three bowlers to have taken two Test hat-tricks (the others being Hugh Trumble and Jimmy Matthews), and also one of only three bowlers to have taken two ODI hat-tricks (the others being fellow Pakistani Saqlain Mushtaq and Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka). Wasim’s Test hat-tricks are unique, since they were taken in consecutive Test matches in the same series, against Sri Lanka in 1999. Wasim is also one of only two bowlers to have taken both a Test and ODI hat-trick (the other being fellow Pakistani Mohammad Sami).
  • Playing in a Test against the West Indies at Lahore in 1990-91, he became one of only six players to have taken four wickets in an over during a Test match. In Wasim’s case, the feat was not part of a hat-trick, the third ball of the series being a dropped catch, which allowed a single.
  • Wasim has also achieved the highest score by a number eight batsman in Test cricket — 257 not out from 363 balls against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura. The innings contained 12 sixes which is also a world record for Test crick
  • He also has the joint-highest number of Man of the Match awards in Test cricket, along with South African Jacques Kallis, with 17.
Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

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Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram- The King Of Swing !!
Wasim Akram : The Greatest bowler of all time. Pakistan

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

Moin Khan

Moin Khan Biography
Mohammad Moin Khan (Urdu: محمد معین خان) (born September 23, 1971) popularly known as Moin Khan (Urdu: معین خان) is a Pakistani cricketer (wicketkeeper and batsman) and member of the Pakistani national cricket team since 1990. He has also captained the Pakistani side. He was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab. He made his international debut against the West Indies at Multan. He has taken over 100 catches in Test cricket. He has scored over 3,000 ODI runs and taken over 200 catches in ODI cricket. He is the credited with coining the name of the mystery delivery of Saqlain Mushtaq that went from leg to off as the doosra. It means the \"other one\" in Urdu. He is no longer part of the national side, and has returned to playing first class cricket. In 2005 Moin scored the first century in Pakistan domestic 20-20 cricket when he smashed 112 off 59 balls for Karachi Dolphins against Lahore Lions in the ABN-AMRO 20-20 Cup. At the end of the season he retired from cricket finishing with 200 not out against Hyderabad, his highest first class score. In January 2007 he was arrested in Pakistan for assaulting his wife, Tasneem Khan.[1] In 2007, Moin signed with the unofficial Indian Cricket League and coached the Hyderabad Heroes. In the 2008 edition of the competition he coached the expansion team, the Lahore Badshahs.

Moin Khan
Moin Khan

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Moin Khan 31 of 12 v Australia 1999 WC

Moin Khan 56 of 31 Asia Cup Final 2000 v Sri Lanka

Monday, 2 May 2011

Imran Khan

Imran Khan Biography
He dazzled the world with his amazing talent, he gave cricket another name, he
is and always will be remembered by cricket fans worldwide. Imran khan, an
unbelievably talented all rounder is the Legend of cricket and has reached the
top like no one else.

          This cricketer was born no differently than any other person. He was born in
Lahore, Pakistan into a family of six. He entered the world on November 25,
1952, the only boy and seventh member of his family. His parents gave him the
name Imran Khan Niazi and truly loved him since he is the only boy in their
family.

          Imran was part of a well-educated family. His parents believed that their
children should get the best of education, and become something. Imran's parents
have believed this and followed through with it, and that is why Imran's sisters
are so successful today. His older sister Robina is an alumnus of the LSE and
has a senior position in the United Nations in New York; his other sister Aleema
has a master's degree in business administration and runs a successful business;
Uzma is a highly qualified surgeon is working in a Lahore hospital; while his
other sister Rani is a University graduate who coordinates charity work. When it
was time for Imran to go attend a college, he went to the prestigious public
school in Lahore, the Aitchison College. There he was by far the best player on
his team, being a very fine batsmen. He was still though quite far from becoming
the best in the world. As Imran grew older, his interests went from being a
batsmen to being a fast bowler.

          When sixteen, Imran made his debut for Lahore. Imran's cousins Javed Burki, and
Majid Khan were a great part of cricket therefore when he made his test debut
people thought that he made it because his family was on the Pakistan's Cricket
Team. (Nepotism)

          Later, Imran had to put cricket to the side and focus more on his studies.
Undoubtedly he was back again at the age of eighteen. He played admirably which
resulted in him moving to England as he was chosen to play for a private school
there.

         As the year 1971 approached, he made his test debut while visiting England.
During this tour, he was fined many times by the management because he was
looked upon by his peers as being a very snobby and wild player. Also on this
tour, Imran did not play as well. Because of his "not so good" bowling, Pakistan
was costed to settle for a draw. This was the only test match on the tour.

          When Imran was twenty-one, he was admitted in the Oxford University. For three
years he studied economics and politics. In 1974 Pakistan toured England and
therefore he was selected because of his form for Oxford University and his
experience with speaking English. He had not succeeded to make a big mark
because all three of his tests were drawn.

          In 1976 Imran returned to Pakistan after being away for four years. During the
1976-77 season, Imran got a place in the Pakistan cricket team. He had impressed
the team with his fantastic bowling. Later he moved to play with Sussex. The
biggest reason for Imran to do this was because of his love affairs with the
nightlife of London. He was quite angry at Worcester (a team he played for
before he played for Sussex), because of the racism he found there. During the
time he had been playing for other teams, Imran had become quite a big star.
Everyone was able to see that this guy had talent and played very well. At this
point, not only was he playing well, but had basically become a superstar.

          Imran continued to play for Sussex, because he enjoyed it there. At this point
he had become the "father" of the reverse swing. His most famous partner was
Sarfaraz Nawaz, in which the partners could make a lot of runs.

          Soon after, under the orders of the top official, Imran came back to Pakistan
to play test cricket for the series against India. During this match, Imran hit
two sixes and a four with only seven balls remaining. Because of Imran's huge
success, one could easily say that Imran was one of the most adored cricketer
through the land at this point.

          During the early 80's Imran was not only at his cricketing peak, but had quite
a few relations with women. He had a relationship with Susannah Costantine,
ex-model Marie Helving, and artist Emma Sargeant. Some of his relations ended
simply because of difference in culture and because of the busy and travelling
life of Imran. He brought some of his relationships back home to Pakistan in
which he was frowned upon because he was an individual of Muslim faith.

          When Imran was thirty, he became the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. He
lead them to a victory against England in their second test match.

          During the years of his captaincy, Imran had broken his shin. Even though this
was so, Imran continued to bowl, whether there was pain or not. Because of his
injury, Imran was able to put bowling to the side and concentrate more on his
batting. Imran improved his batting greatly which led him to his first century
in a one day match.

          In 1987, Imran decided to retire from cricket. Javed Miandad took his place.
Because Pakistan's best captain was gone; the team was in somewhat of crisis.
President Zia put a lot of pressure on Imran, therefore he was back as a captain
in 1988.

          In 1992, the world cup final was Imran's exit from cricket. He led Pakistan to a
great victory over India. Pakistan had won the World Cup. It was time for Imran
to retire, which brought a lot of grief to Pakistan. He ended his career with an
outstanding score of 3807 runs and 362 wickets in only test matches. During his
career, Imran had turned the Pakistan cricket stars into the stars they are
today. The day that Imran retired was a very big day. So big that the President
of that time, Zia personally tried to stop him from retiring. Imran said that he
wanted to retire at the highest point of his popularity so that people would be
able to remember him forever.4 He wanted his name to be in all hearts and be
recognized for all his accomplishments. Imran had officially ended his career as
a cricketer and is truly remembered by all.
          When Imran won the world cup, he had raised twenty five million dollars to
build a cancer hospital in memory of his mother. About ten years ago when
Imran's mother had cancer; Imran was desperately looking for some place to take
her, but none of the hospital's in Pakistan had the right facilities to treat
her. When Imran took her to an outside country, it was too late; she had lost
her battle against cancer. Eversnice then, Imran has wanted to build a cancer
hospital. Today he has a wonderful hospital standing in Lahore, Pakistan. It is
named after his mother Shawkat Khanam. Imran does not charge anything to
patients who cannot afford the treatment.
          In 1995, Imran decided to settle down and marry. He married Jemima Goldsmith who
is the daughter of a millionaire. She was Jewish and converted to Islam by
choice just before the two got married. Their wedding took place in Paris. When
they came back to London, they threw a party which was more for the public.

          On November 18th 1996, Imran and Jemima were the proud parent's of a baby boy.
The named him Suleiman Isa. On April 10th, 1999 Jemima gave birth to yet another
baby boy. They have named him Kassim.

          Today, Imran has entered the world of politics and has set up his own party. He
continues to fundraise for his hospital. He does this by taking tours with
popular stars. Some stars donate their money to Imran's hospital. Jemima designs
clothes and sells them overseas. The profit goes to the Shawkat Khanam Memorial
Hospital. Also the restaurant in London, Salt and Pepper gives its profits to
the hospital.

Imran Khan

Imran Khan

Imran Khan

Imran Khan
Imran Khan

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Imran Khan

Imran Khan

Imran Khan

Imran Khan
Legends of Cricket IMRAN KHAN
SIR IMRAN KHAN GREATEST ALLROUNDER IN THE HISTORY OF CRICKET