Pakistan’s batting great Zaheer Abbas was elated after being inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame on Sunday (August 23), hoping the honor would inspire a generation of talented cricketers to play for Pakistan.
Abbas, former Pakistan skipper was considered as one of the most elegant batsmen of his time and prolific run-scorer during the 1970s and 1980s while remains the only Asian batsman to have scored more than 100 first-class centuries – the feat that earned him the nickname 'The Asian Bradman'.
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Apart from the 'Asian Bradman', South Africa’s legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis and former Australian World Cup-winning all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar were also inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame in a virtual ceremony held via ICC digital channels around the world.
Following the recognition, Abbas, who earlier served the game as the honorary president of the ICC, became the sixth Pakistani in the Hall of Fame joined Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis in the pantheon of cricket greats on Sunday.
Abbas said: “I feel elated to get this honor, but more than me, it is an honor for my country and I just want to see that it inspires a generation of talented batsmen for the national team. It is a final recognition for any cricketer. This great game has made me the person I am. Thank you cricket.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani congratulated and lauded the legendary batsman on getting the latest honor.
Mani said: “It is a matter of great honor and pride for Pakistan that Zaheer Abbas’s outstanding career achievements have been acknowledged by the game’s governing body. It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate Zed on behalf of millions of Pakistan cricket fans across the world for this recognition,”
He signed off by saying, “It is appropriate that Zaheer is inducted into the elite group exactly 46 years after his magnificent 240 against England at The Oval in his 15th Test, which was his second double-century following the famous 274 at Edgbaston in 1971 in only his second Test.”
(With PTI Inputs)
