Pakistan’s former legendary batsman Javed Miandad has revealed that who he thinks is the greatest batsman in cricket history till now.
In a recent interview on YouTube with Ajmal Jami, Miandad was asked by the host, “Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Sachin Tendulkar, or Sunil Gavaskar, who is the greatest batsman ever in cricket?”
In response, Javed Miandad said, “See, Sunil Gavaskar is class, look at his height and the point is if you have to make a comparison, then you will make a comparison in such a way that who you have faced. Whom you have faced then, and whom am I facing today? If you will judge, you will know that the old player was better, he has performed so much.”
The host asked again, “It means you saying that Sunil Gavaskar was greater than, Babar, Virat, Sachin, Richard?”
Javed replied, ” Yes, of course, he is one of the greatest batsmen ever.”
Former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar is known as one of the greatest opening batsman of all times, with particular talent against fast bowling. He was named Little Master by commentators in the 1970s.
Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt has sent the cutest message in reply to Pakistani great Javed Miandad who is the mentor of his Lanka Premier League (LPL) team, B-Love Kandy.
The actor can be seen in a video posted on Wednesday by Miandad, addressing him and stating that it “felt really good” to see him “after a long time”.
“Javed Bhai Salam. I saw your video. I really enjoyed it. It felt really good to see you after so long. Looking forward to meeting you in Kandy,” he said in the video while sitting in what appears to be a restaurant.
Miandad replied in the tweet, “Thank you Dear @duttsanjay and @OmarKhanOK2 for all the love, anxiously waiting to join @BLoveKandy in August 2023 in #LPL2023.”
Former Pakistani left-arm bowling wizard Wasim Akram has also been appointed as a mentor of B-Love Kandy, a team Sunjay Dutt acquired in June this year along with his partners Omar Khan and Sheikh Marwan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Muhammad Azharuddin, former Indian captain has also backed the team, while Mushtaq Ahmed, former Pakistani spinner, will be the head coach.
The team also has Pakistani cricketers Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hasnain, Asif Ali, Mohammad Haris and Aamer Jamal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023. Now, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), in a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other cricketing boards, has approved the model with slight amendments.
Asia Cup 2023 is all set to be played with PCB’s hybrid model, while Pakistan retains the hosting rights.
The PCB favors the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the neutral venue, considering it a smart and effective revenue gateway for Pakistan. However, other boards, including the Indian Cricket Board, argued for an alternative venue. Consequently, the ACC has finalized Sri Lanka as the neutral venue for the tournament. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will now co-host the Asia Cup 2023.
According to the proposed hybrid model, the first four or five matches will be played in Pakistan, with the remainder of the tournament moving to Sri Lanka, where India will have the opportunity to play their group matches.
The PCB had been ready to show flexibility over a tit-for-tat stance for the World Cup had the Indian board rejected the hybrid model. The former had also expected the Pakistan government to grant approval for the country’s team to travel to India for the 50-over showpiece “much easily” if the proposed model was accepted.
It is, therefore, understood that Pakistan will feature in India for the first time since 2016. Whether they take on the hosts, their arch-rivals, in Ahmedabad as proposed in a draft schedule sent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the boards of the participating sides is also to be decided by the country’s government.
As per media reports, the PCB, having received the draft schedule as well, has started it’s consultations with the government over the fixture list and a decision is expected to be made in the coming week.
That would also mean that the official schedule of the World Cup will be released just over three months ahead of the first game of the tournament on October 5.
According to the draft schedule, Pakistan will kick off their campaign on October 6 against one of the teams coming through from the preceding qualifying round in Hyderabad before taking on another qualifier at the same venue on October 12.
The Babar Azam-led unit is scheduled to fly out to Ahmedabad for the high-octane clash against India on October 15 before playing Australia five days later in Bengaluru and Afghanistan and South Africa in Chennai on October 23 and 27.
After locking horns with Bangladesh in Kolkata four days later, Pakistan will return to Bengaluru for their match against New Zealand on November 5 before concluding the league stage with their fixture against England in Kolkata on November 12.
The dates and venues for the tournament’s semi-finals and final have not been included in the draft schedule
Pakistan’s former captain Javed Miandad has slammed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. “India can go to hell,” if they do not want to come to Pakistan, the batting great said to media on Monday.
BCCI secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah had warned that India will not travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup this year. Shah also said that BCCI will insist on a neutral location for the Indo-Pak clash and for the tournament.
In October 2022, Indian cricket authorities said that they would not send a team to the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan, prompting Pakistan’s cricket authorities to hint they may pull out of the upcoming ICC World Cup, scheduled to be held in India later this year. Pakistan cricket officials also warned India that if they mess with them they will also going to mess with India and the move can split the international cricket community. The PCB said Shah’s comments could “impact Pakistan’s visit to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and future ICC Events in India in the 2024-2031 cycle.”
“I have always been saying, if India doesn’t want to come [to Pakistan], we don’t care. They can go to hell. We are playing cricket. It’s International Cricketing Council’s (ICC) job to control such things or there’s no point in having a governing body,” Miandad said.
If a team don’t come, no matter how strong they are, ICC should remove them, Miandad said.
“They should play, why aren’t they playing? They are afraid of consequences.” He added that India is scared of Pakistan. “Even in our time, they were scared to play cricket against Pakistan because Indian crowd is ‘nasty’. Whenever they lose, no matter they play well or not, Indian cricket fans burn their houses. So that’s why they are afraid of to play cricket against Pakistan.” Despite being considered one of cricket’s greatest rivalries, India and Pakistan have not met on home soil in any version of the game since 2012, and only play each other in international tournaments on neutral grounds.
The ACC will make a final decision on the venue of Asia Cup 2023 in its Executive Board meeting next month.
An emergency meeting of ACC was held in Bahrain on Saturday which was also attended by Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi. Among other issues, the fate of the Asia Cup was also discussed but no decision was made.
Legendary cricketer, Waqar Younis was officially inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
PCB Chief Executive, Faisal Hasnain presented a commemorative cap and plaque to Waqar Younis during the third test match between Pakistan and Australia at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Waqar Younis, accompanied by his family, receives a plaque and a cap as he gets inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/85YGrpW3Fo
Younis expressed his joy over sharing this achievement with his family and especially with his mother.
Yonis on the occasion said, “I feel honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame with my mother and wife standing alongside me. In fact, it was an honour to receive the beautiful plaque from my mother, who has been my inspiration throughout this highly rewarding and immensely satisfying cricketing journey. Without her blessings, I would not have been able to achieve this much as a professional.”
He further said, “Playing for Pakistan was a dream come true and I still cherish every single moment of wearing the Pakistan colour. And to be awarded by the Pakistan Cricket Board with this honour 19 years after I last represented my country is just the icing on the cake, for which I am grateful to them.”
During his career, he took 373 Tests and 416 ODI wickets.
Last Saturday, Javed Miandad was also inducted officially into PCB Fall of Fame. He has received a commemorative cap and plaque at his residence.
Former Cricketer and coach, Javed Miandad have officially inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Chief Executive of PCB, Faisal Hasnain presented a commemorative cap and plaque to him at his residence.
Miandad thanked the board for appreciation and said, “I feel humbled and honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame.”
He continued, “It is appropriate that these inductions are taking place when an international cricketer is at the helm of Pakistan cricket affairs as he understands better than anyone else the hard work and sacrifices a cricketer makes to reach the top pedestal. Every time I stepped onto the field of play, I wanted to contribute to my team and country through my performance.”
While congratulating Miandad on his contribution to cricket, Faisal Hasnain said, “On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I want to congratulate Javed Miandad on his induction into the PCB Hall of Fame. This small gesture is a reward and recognition of his immense services towards Pakistan cricket and for providing unprecedented happiness to cricket fans all over the world.”
Javed Miandad,67, has played cricket for Pakistan from 1975 to1996. He has scored 16,213 international runs with 31 centuries in 357 matches.
He has played the first cricket world cup in 1975 when he was only 18 years old. He has played in six world cups in total. He was also a part of the team in the 1992 World cup which Pakistan unexpectedly win under Imran Khan’s captaincy. He has scored 1,083 runs at an average of 43 overs in 33 world cup matches.
Javed Miandad has made his test debut in 1976 in Lahore against New Zealand in which he scored a century (163). He has scored 8,832 runs in his Test career.
Miandad hit a memorable six on the last ball bowled by Indian player Chetan Sharma and contributed to a historic win against India in the finals of the Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah. In this match, he played a match-winning innings by scoring 116 runs.
Following are some snippets that stood out from Urdu newspapers on August 12, 2020, which The Current takes no responsibility for.
‘Javed Miandad Ka Imran Khan Ko Challenge’
It has been reported by Daily Jang that former captain of Pakistan cricket team, Javed Miandad, has launched an attack against Imran Khan through his YouTube channel, saying,“Mein aapka kaptaan tha aap meray kaptaan nahi thay. Imran Khan ko cricket mein chalaany wala mein tha… Aisa lag raha hai k Imran Khan khudaa banay bethay hain. Aap k ilawa koi Pakistani Oxford aur Cambridge gya he nahi… aap meray ghar aa kr wazire azam ban kar gaye thay iss ki tardeed kr k dikhayein”
‘Maryam Nawaz Pr Laser Gun Se Hamla’
It has been reported by Daily Jang that former law minister and PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has said, “Maryam Nawaz ki gaari ko pathar nahi laga. Aisa pathar nahi dekha jo bulletproof gaari ka sheesha torr de… Mujhe lagta hai ird grid ki emarato se laser gun sey fire kia gya.”
‘Judges Aur Sharifo K Ghar Ki Ghulami’
It has been reported by Daily Express that Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill has said,“Corruption aur chori ka jawab denay ki bajaye badmashon k sath NAB pr hamla kia gya… Shehbaz Sharif ko justice Abdul Qayyum jaisay judge chaheye jo inn k ghar ki ghulami kr sakein.”
Following the deaths of legends Sabiha Khanum and Tariq Aziz, Farhan Saeed has taken the initiative to celebrate and honour the living legends of Pakistan. The actor-singer also requested his followers to join him in honouring them for their services to the country.
“2020 has been revelatory for so many reasons. A pandemic has pushed the world to its limits. Racial differences have sparked outrage and so many revered innocent souls have left us,” said the singer.
Remembering those who passed away, Farhan said, “In this uncertain age, we Pakistanis must not waste time in appreciating the Living Legends among us.”
He added: “I wish to honour their lives and cherish their presence among us, and I wish to express gratitude for sharing this world with someone of their stature.”
Please support me in my humble attempt to celebrate Pak’s #LivingLegends – those who have selflessly served our country. I invite you to be part of my ode to their excellence and unmatched dedication and join me in saying thank you to them for all they have done #PakistaniHeroespic.twitter.com/UCZeFbbNXd
Saeed has so far honoured four legends including Qavi Khan, Javed Miandad, Abida Parveen and Umer Sharif.
Writing about Qavi Khan, Farhan said: “As my first tribute to the #LivingLegends of Pakistan, I pay homage to Qavi Khan sahab, the legendary actor par excellence who has been serving the country since 1952.”
“I recently had the privilege of sharing the screen with him – both on television as well as in a film. Anyone who has worked with Qavi sahab would know his demeanour only commands the utmost respect. He is an institution,” he continued.
Farhan added: “He motivates younger actors by encouraging them to push the bar with each performance. To encourage us, Qavi sahab always tells us, we are better at what we do than his generation was. His wealth of experience is a guide book for those who have only just recently joined the industry.”
Celebrating the #LivingLegend that is Qavi Khan – an institution in his own right and an inspiration for us all!
Next Farhan, celebrated Abida Parveen, whose soulful voice has touched hearts across the world.
“Abida Parveen is globally recognised as an iconic representation of the Sufi genre. Her soul-stirring voice and melodies have long had listeners across the globe in absolute awe,” wrote the singer, adding: “As a person, Abida Ji embodies the very essence of Sufism. The few times I have had a chance to meet with her, I have witnessed first hand her absolute humility and respect for others.”
“Abida Ji is undoubtedly a source of pride and inspiration for every Pakistani. She has paved the way for generations to come and pursue their journey. I too take inspiration from her unmatched passion – her work has always been a major source of inspiration and motivation for me.”
Farhan then paid a rich tribute to comedian Umer Sharif, describing him as “an absolute showman for whom no specific place or audience is required to exhibit the versatility of his craft. He will undoubted have you laughing hysterically, anywhere and everywhere you meet him.”
“I can’t forget his very gracious advice: “Yeh log hain, tou hum hain – inko kabhi inkaar nahi karna“. His words have since been etched in my memory,” said Saeed.
Join me in celebrating the artist par excellence, the unmatched, Umer Sharif.
Farhan’s latest tribute was to “legendary cricketer extraordinaire – the one and only, Javed Miandad sahab“.
“I am grateful for the privilege of knowing Javed sahab off the pitch. He is friends with an uncle and is undoubtedly one of the most down to earth human beings I have known. He is a true friend and showers love and affection upon everyone around him,” said Farhan.
“Javed sahab, aap sada khush rahain, salaamat rahain, aabaad rahain. Pakistan kay liyay aap ki khidmaat ka bayhad shukriya.”
Earlier, Yasir Hussain and Shaan also honoured legends and thanked them for their services.
#Letsbringourprideback#PTV Qawee Khan sb such brilliance in his craft , and such humbleness in his personality. an institution from whom one can learn so much . We are indeed in your debt for your endless entertainment and services to the nation ❤️ #muchrespectsirpic.twitter.com/puzkXJ0nMz
It was on April 18, 1986, when former Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad struck a final-ball six to defeat India in the finals of the Austral-Asia Cup.
This match still sends shivers down the spine of ardent cricket fans in both Pakistan and India. Miandad had smashed a six off the final ball of the match bowled by Chetan Sharma, reports said.
The feat is remarkable as Pakistan needed four runs off the final ball to win the Austral-Asia Cup. Miandad did not succumb to pressure, giving the cricket fans a memory to cherish forever.
Pakistan needed 246 runs to win the match, and the side found itself at 61/3. It was then that Miandad walked out to the middle and played a match-winning knock of 116 runs.
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In his innings, Miandad struck three fours and as many sixes.
Batting first, India had got to a score of 245 as Kris Srikkanth made 75 runs while Sunil Gavaskar went on to register 94 runs from 134 balls.
For Pakistan, Wasim Akram scalped three wickets.
Miandad has often been involved in fierce battles with India. During the 1992 World Cup group stage game, Miandad ended up mocking the style of India’s wicket-keeper Kiran More.
The Austral-Asia Cup has been played thrice, with Pakistan winning the tournament on all three occasions.
