KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and one of the most stylish and elegant batters during his time Zaheer Abbas was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame on Saturday, the PCB said in a press release.
He received his commemorative cap and plaque from the PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain during lunch break of the second cricket Test between Pakistan and Australia at the National Stadium.
Zaheer is the third PCB Hall of Famer after Fazal Mahmood and Wasim Akram to be formally inducted, with the remaining five inductions to take place in due course.
“I feel humbled to have been recognised in such a respectful and honourable manner by my parent organisation at my home ground, during play of my favourite format of the game and in front of passionate cricket fans, who have also played an integral part throughout my cricketing career,” said Zaheer.
74-year-old Zaheer was known as a run-machine during his playing days.
To date, he is the only Asia batter to score a century of first-class centuries after he finished his illustrious 459-match career with 108 centuries and 158 half-centuries from 1965-66 to 1986-87, while amassing 34,843 runs with an average of 51.5.
In international cricket, Zaheer scored 5,062 runs in 78 Tests at an average of 44.79 with 12 centuries. He struck seven centuries in 62 ODIs while scoring 2,572 runs at an average of 47.62.
Zaheer scored 1,000 or more Tests runs against Australia (1,411 runs in 20 Tests), England (1,086 runs in 14 Tests) and India (1,740 runs in 19 Tests).
At the National Stadium, which was his home ground, Zaheer played 12 Tests in which he scored 531 runs.
(Source: PCB Media)
