Birthday special: Javed Miandad – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Asian giants Pakistan have been blessed with some gifted batters over the years, but none of them ever matched the charisma or personality of former skipper Javed Miandad. The middle-order stalwart used to spellbind the spectators with his eye-catching shot-making abilities even in the toughest situations. On the eve of his 66th birthday, we list the enigmatic cricketer’s most memorable knocks for Pakistan.
116 against India, 1986
The 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan witnessed one of the most thrilling ODI finishes of all time. Indian finished with a healthy total of 245 runs in their 50 overs on the back of sensational knocks from Kris Srikkanth and Sunil Gavaskar. Pakistan made a stumbling start to the chase and kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with Javed Miandad waging a lone battle for his team. Despite’s Miandad’s glittering century, India were the favourites to win the game as Pakistan needed four runs off the final over. However, that is when Miandad produced one of the most iconic moments of the epic rivalry as he smashed Chetan Sharma for a six to seal a mind-boggling victory.
260 against England, 1987
Pakistan travelled to The Oval to take on England in the fifth and final match of the series. Although the visitors were 1-0 up in the series and needed just a draw to claim a memorable series victory, Imran Khan’s side started the match in an ominous fashion. Despite losing Ramiz Raja and Mansoor Akhtar cheaply, Pakistan went on to post a mammoth total of 708 runs on the board. It was largely due to Javed Miandad’s glittering 260, which helped the Asian side to their highest Test score at the time. Although England managed to save their blushes by drawing the game, they weren’t able to deny Pakistan a historic series victory.
280* against India, 1983
Javed Miandad saved his career-best innings for arch-rivals India during Pakistan’s memorable tour of the neighbours. With the team already 2-0 up in the six-match series, Imran Khan’s side travelled to Hyderabad with the hope of clinching a famous series victory. The visitors batted first in the contest but were jolted early in their innings when Mohsin Khan and Haroon Rasheed departed on consecutive deliveries. However, India faced the might of senior batter Javed Miandad, who smashed an unbeaten 280 in a mammoth 451-run stand with Mudassar Nazar. Miandad’s career-best Test innings helped his side to a resounding victory, clinching the series with two games to go.
