Birthday special: Wasim Jaffer – Top 3 knocks in international cricket

The former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer is considered a legend in domestic cricket with some of the biggest records to his name. The opening batter dominated domestic cricket with Mumbai and Vidarbha before announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in March 2020, at the age of 42.

Jaffer made his first-class debut during the 1996/97 season and last played in February 2020 for Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy group-stage match. He remains the leading run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history with 12038 runs, almost 3000 more than the second-highest leading run-getter Amol Mazumdar.

He also holds the record for most centuries in Ranji Trophy history with 40 hundreds, nine more than Delhi’s Ajay Sharma. Jaffer made his international debut in February 2000, against South Africa in a Test match at his hometown Mumbai and went on to represent India in 31 Tests and two ODI matches.

He scored 1944 runs from 58 Test innings at an average of 34.10 with five hundreds and 11 fifties. Jaffer never got a good run in the Indian red-ball team. This hampered his potential and confidence to make a big impact. He turns 45 on February 16, so let’s take a look at his top three knocks in international cricket.

3) 100 vs England, Nagpur 2006

After spending almost three years out of the team, Jaffer returned to Tests for the England series at home. He scored 81 off 184 in the first innings of the first Test match in Nagpur. He made a bigger impact in the second innings, scoring 100 off 198 to register his first-ever international century.

2) 202 vs Pakistan, Kolkata 2007

Jaffer was the top scorer when India was up against Pakistan in the second Test of the 2007 home series. He scored 202 off just 274 with 34 fours at Eden Gardens against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack. He also top-scored 56 runs in the second innings to register a memorable match.

1) 212 vs West Indies, Antigua 2006

After excellent performances against England in the home series in 2006, Jaffer further cemented his place in the team. He smashed his maiden double ton against West Indies in Antigua in 2006. He top-scored 212 off 399 in the second innings to help India post 521/6. This was Jaffer’s first double ton in Tests and his highest score in international cricket.