‘Burewala Express’ aka Waqar Younis was regarded as one of the most dreaded pacers of his generation. He was the captain of Pakistan national cricket team from 2001 until 2003. He picked 373 Test wickets and 416 ODI wickets in his international career. He was appointed as the head coach of Sylhet Sixers in 2018.
Let’s have a look at his all-time XI.
#1 Sir Don Bradman
#2 Matthew Hayden
‘Haydos’ was one of the most accomplished batsmen in cricket. Matthew Hayden scored 8625 runs in his Test career. His highest score was 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 at Perth. He was a part of the winning squads of 2003 and 2007 ICC World Cup. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2003.
#3 Brian Lara
‘Princey’ was one of the most destructive batsmen of his generation. He has the record of most runs scored by a West Indian player with 11912 runs in his career. His highest score was 400* against England in 2004 at St John’s. He is the highest individual scorer in the first-class cricket, scoring 501 runs in a single inning. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2012. He was among the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1995.
#4 Sachin Tendulkar
‘God of Cricket’ has the record of most runs scored in Tests and ODIs. He won the Man of the Tournament award in ICC World Cup 2003. He was a part of the winning squad of 2011 ICC World Cup. He played in 6 ICC World Cup tournaments from 1992 until 2011. He scored 15,921 and 18,426 runs in Tests and ODIs respectively. His highest score was 248* against Bangladesh in 2004 at Dhaka. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1997.
#5 Sir Viv Richards
‘Master Blaster’ was one of the most feared skippers of Windies. Sir Viv Richards has scored 8540 runs in his Test career. His highest score was 291 against England in 1976 at Kennington Oval. His average in Tests was 50.24 and strike rate was 86.07. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1977.
#6 Sir Garfield Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers was one of the most feared all-rounders of his generation. He scored 8032 runs and took 235 wickets in his Test career. His highest score was 365* against Pakistan in 1958 at Kingston. He was the first batsman in the cricket history to hit 6 sixes in an over. He achieved that feat on August 31st 1968 while playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1964. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.
#7 Adam Gilchrist (WK)
‘Gilly’ was one of the feared wicketkeeper-batsman in cricket. Adam Gilchrist scored 5570 runs in his Test career. He has most dismissals by an Australian wicketkeeper in Tests. He has 416 dismissals in his Test career. His highest score was 204* against South Africa in 2002 at Johannesburg. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2013. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2002.
#8 Imran Khan (C)
‘Kaptaan’ was one of the most accomplished all-rounders from Pakistan. Imran Khan has led his team to World Cup win in 1992. He has 3807 runs and 362 wickets in Tests to his name. His best spell was 8/58 against Sri Lanka at Lahore in 1982. His highest score was 136 against Australia in 1990 at Adelaide. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1983. Currently, he is the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
#9 Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram was one of the most deadly pacers from Pakistan. He has the record of most Test wickets by a Pakistani bowler. His highest score in Tests is 257* against Zimbabwe in 1996 at Sheikhupura. His best spell was 7/119 against New Zealand at Wellington in 1994. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2009. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1993. Currently, he is the bowling coach of Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League.
#10 Shane Warne
‘Warnie’ is an apparent choice for every Test XI. Shane Warne has the records of most Test wickets by an Australian bowler. His best bowling index in Tests was 8/71 against England at Gabba in 1994. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2013. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1994. Currently, he is the mentor of Rajasthan Royals in Indian Premier League.
#11 Glenn McGrath
‘Pigeon’ was regarded as one of the most distinguished pacers from Australia. Glenn McGrath is the second highest wicket taker as a pacer in Tests. He picked up 563 wickets in his Test career. His best bowling index in Tests was 8/38 against England at Lord’s in 1997. He was inducted into ICC Hall of Fame in 2012. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1998.
