Rating all the captains in Pakistan's cricket history

A comprehensive break down of all their attributes and achievements.

Nadeem F. Paracha Published January 5, 2017

No two captains are the same.

Excellent: ★ ★ ★ ★
Good: ★ ★ ★
Average: ★ ★
Poor: ★

Abdul Hafeez Kardar ★ ★ ★ ★

All-Rounder. Left-Handed Batsman; Left-Arm-Spin Bowler.

Captaincy Tenure: 1952-58

From: Lahore

Captaincy style: Authoritarian; detached; inspirational; stubborn.

Captaincy Peak: Dramatically squaring Pakistan’s first ever series against England in England after being one-down in 1954.

Unique Tactic: Used to leave chits of paper with instructions and inspirational quotes written on them in the hotel rooms of the players.

Controversies: Alleged to have kept talented batsman, Raees Mohammad, out of the team to keep his friend, Maqsood Ahmad, in.

Captaincy Record: 23 Tests. 6 Won. 6 Lost. 11 Drawn.

The Pakistan squad in London during the team’s first ever tour of England in 1954.

Fazal Mahmood ★ ★

Right-Arm Swing Bowler; Lower-Order Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1958-61

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Rigid; aloof; mistrustful.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was severely criticised for being overtly defensive during the 1960 tour of India and spending more time at parties than in the nets.

Captaincy Peaks: Wining a home series against a strong West Indian side in 1959.

Captaincy Record: 10 Tests. 2 Won. 2 Lost. 6 Drawn.

Fazal with Indian film actor Raj Kapoor during Pakistan’s 1960 tour of India.

Imtiaz Ahmad ★

Wicketkeeper-Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1961-62

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Insipid; defensive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 4 Tests. 0 Won. 2 Lost. 2 Drawn.

Javed Burki ★

Right-Handed Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 1962

From: Lahore

Captaincy style: Rigid; inexperienced; arrogant; uninspired.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Had a falling out with senior players during the 1962 tour of England. Formed a clique of players around him and used them to communicate with the senior players he had had a falling out with.

Captaincy Peaks: Was the youngest Pakistan captain at the time (aged 24).

Captaincy Record: 5 Tests. 0 Won. 4 Lost. 1 Drawn.

Hanif Muhammad ★ ★

Right-Handed Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1963-67

From: Karachi

Captaincy Style: Defensive; reticent; detached.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Alluded that he had been removed as captain in 1967 due to the ‘politics of the Lahore lobby.’ Was booed by the crowd in Lahore.

Captaincy Peaks: A 2-0 series victory against New Zealand in 1964.

Captaincy Record: 11 Tests. 2 Won. 2 Lost. 7 Drawn.

Hanif introduces the Pakistan team to the Queen of England (1967).

Saeed Ahmad ★

Right-Handed Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1968

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Aloof; haughty; egoistical; self-centered.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Clashed with the selectors during his very first Test as captain. Allegedly ‘conspired to oust Hanif Mohammad as captain.’

Was considered to be ‘selfish’ by teammates. Was booed by the crowds in Karachi.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 3 Tests. 0 Won. 0 Lost. 3 Drawn.

Intikhab Alam ★ ★

All-Rounder. Right-Arm-Leg-Spinner; Lower-Middle-Order-Batsman

Tenure: 1969-73; 1974-76.

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Approachable; professional; defensive.

Unique Tactic: None

Controversies: Tried to leverage his friendship with chief of the Pakistan cricket board, A H. Kardar, to retain his captaincy and not be replaced by Mushtaq Mohammad in 1976.

Captaincy Peaks: Drawing the 1974 series against England (in England) which was the time’s leading Test side.

Captained Pakistan in its first ever ODI.

Captaincy Record: 17 Tests. 1 Won. 5 Lost. 11 Drawn. 3 ODIs. 2 Won. 1 Lost.

Intikhab introduces his team to the Queen (London, 1971).

Majid Khan ★

Right-Handed Batsman; Occasional Off-Break-Bowler; Occasional Wicketkeeper.

Captaincy Tenure: 1973

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Aloof; uninspired; defensive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 3 Tests. 0 Won. 0 Lost. 3 Drawn. 2 ODIs. 1 Won. 1 Lost.

Mushtaq Muhammad ★ ★ ★ ★

All-Rounder; Right-Handed-Batsman; Right-Arm-Leg-Spinner.

Captaincy Tenure: 1976-77; 1978-79.

From: Karachi

Captaincy style: Proactive; aggressive; inspiring; innovative.

Unique Tactic: Used to purposely affront the team’s more temperamental and volatile players so they could exhibit more aggression on the field

Controversies: Encouraged his players to sledge during the 1976 series against Australia and then during the 1978 series against India.

Asked his fast bowlers to bowl bouncers and injure the batsman during an ODI against India in 1978. The Indian team walked out in protest.

Alleged that he was removed as captain due to ‘conspiracies’ hatched by his vice-captain Asif Iqbal in 1979.

Captaincy Peaks: 1976: Squaring the series against Australia in Australia after being 0ne-down.

1978: Defeating India 2-0.

Helping Imran Khan develop into a genuine fast bowler.

Introduced Javed Miandad.

Captaincy Record: 19 Tests. 8 Won. 4 Lost. 7 Drawn. 4 ODIs. 2 Won. 2 Lost.

Mushtaq was well respected by the players.

Wasim Bari ★

Wicket-Keeper; Lower-Order-Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1977-78.

From: Karachi

Captaincy Style: Defensive; unimaginative; uninspiring.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 6 Tests. 0 Won. 2 Lost. 4 Drawn. 5 ODIs. 1 Won. 4 Lost.

Asif Iqbal ★

Right-Handed Batsman; Occasion Right-Arm-Medium-Pace-Bowler

Captaincy Tenure: 1975 (only for ODIs); 1979.

From: Karachi

Captaincy Style: Cavalier; aloof; rigid.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was alleged to have ‘maneuvered Mushtaq Mohammad’s ouster as captain.’

Seemed to be all at sea as captain during the long 1979 tour of India where bad performances on the field were further magnified by reports of players spending their nights at raunchy parties.

Refused to take Sarfaraz Nawaz to India because ‘he was uncontrollable’.

Captaincy Peaks: Almost led Pakistan to a win against world champions West Indies in the semi-finals of the 1979 World Cup.

Captaincy Record: 6 Tests. 0 Won. 2 Lost. 4 Drawn. 6 ODIs. 2 Won. 4 Lost.

Asif with Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, walks out for the toss in the last Test of the 1979 India-Pakistan series.

Javed Miandad ★ ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman. Occasional Leg-Spinner.

Captaincy Tenure: 1980-82; 1984-86; 1987 (for 1 series); 1988 (for 1 series); 1990 (for 1 series); 1992-93.

From: Karachi.

Captaincy Style: Aggressive; confrontational; impulsive; innovative; ‘street-smart.’

Unique Tactic: Encouraged players to upset opposing batsmen through sledging.

Controversies: Got into a physical altercation with Australian fast bowler, Dennis Lillee, during Pakistan’s 1981 tour of Australia. Lillee was fined.

Had a falling out with Majid Khan during the same tour. Both players never spoke again – even while batting together.

Faced a players’ rebellion in 1982 and then again in 1993.

Alleged that Imran Khan was behind the 1993 rebellion, even though Khan had retired in 1992.

Captaincy Peaks: Led Pakistan into the finals of a 1985 International ODI tournament in Australia.

Swept the 1990 series against New Zealand, 3-0.

Won 2-0 against England in England in 1992.

Introduced off-spinner Tauseef Ahmad and fast bowler, Wasim Akram.

Captaincy Record: 35 Tests. 14 Won; 5 Lost; 14 Draw. 62 ODIs. 26 Won; 33 Lost

Miandad with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus.

Zaheer Abbas ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 1983-84.

From: Karachi.

Captaincy Style: Defensive; aloof; uncommunicative.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: The 1984 series against New Zealand in Pakistan was noisily criticized by the NZ captain for being ‘tilted towards Pakistan’s favor through biased umpiring.’

Pakistan won the series 2-0.

The NZ skipper Jeremey Coney hinted that Pakistan would face similar umpiring when they tour NZ.

Zaheer promptly resigned as captain just before Pakistan’s 1985 tour of NZ. And when he did join the tour (as Vice-Captain), he sent leg-spinner Abdul Qadir home after the spinner refused to follow Zaheer’s instructions during a side game.

Captaincy Peaks: 2-0 victory against NZ in 1984.

Captaincy Record: 14 Tests. 3 Won; 1 Lost; 10 Drawn. 13 ODIs. 7 Won; 5 Lost

Imran Khan ★ ★ ★ ★

All-Rounder. Right-Handed-Batsman; Right-Arm-Fast-Bowler

Captaincy Tenture: 1982-84; 1986-87; 1988-92

From: Lahore.

Captaincy Style: Aggressive; authoritarian; innovative; flamboyant.

Unique Tactic: Loved to confuse the opposition by making exaggerated statements before the series. For example:

Though praising volatile spinner Abdul Qadir as a ‘wizard with the ball’ just before Pakistan’s tour of England in 1982 was not so off-the-mark, Khan actually asked Qadir to grow a prominent goatee so he could look like a wizard as well!

During an ODI tournament in Australia in 1989, Imran told the Australian press that Manzoor Ilahi was ‘the hardest hitting batsman in the world.’ Illahi was at best an average all-rounder. But when he came into bat, the Australian captain spread out the team believing Manzoor would hit out. Instead, he kept plucking easy singles due to the spread out field. He eventually did smash a six, though.

During an ODI tournament in Sharjah in 1988, before Pakistan’s game against India, Imran said that the Kashmir issue should be decided on the cricket field. Pakistan won that game.

Controversies: Imran kept playing Mansoor Akhtar despite his many failures.

He kept Iqbal Qasim out of the side, only to include him on the 1987 tour of India on the insistence of Vice-captain Javed Miandad.

Qasim Umar and Younas Ahmad alleged that Khan encouraged his players to ‘bring girls into their hotel rooms for one-night-stands.’

Khan refused to play two series at home in October because ‘it was the hottest month of the year in Pakistan.’

Often cursed fumbling players on the field.

Captaincy Peaks: Beating Australia 3-0 and then India 3-0 at home in 1982-83.

Beating England in England and India in India in 1987.

Winning an international ODI tournament in India in 1989.

Winning the 1992 World Cup.

Putting Abdul Qadir back into the side.

Grooming Wasim Akram.

Introducing Waqar Younus, Saleem Jaffar and Aquib Javed.

Captaincy Record: 48 Tests. 14 Won; 8 Lost; 26 Drawn.139 ODIs. 75 Won; 59 Lost

Khan was pretty demonstrative when angry.

Wasim Akram ★ ★ ★

All-Rounder. Left-Arm-Fast-Bowler; Left-Handed-Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1993-94; 1995-96; 1997-99.

From: Lahore.

Captaincy Style: Aggressive; flamboyant; confrontational.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was openly abusive to the players on the field.

Faced a players’ rebellion in 1994.

Was arrested with three other players for publically smoking marijuana on a beach during Pakistan’s 1993 tour of the West Indies.

Dropped out from the squad just before the vital quarterfinal against India in the 1996 World Cup. His house was attacked after Pakistan lost that game.

Had tense relations with fellow fast bowler, Waqar Younus and coach, Javed Miandad.

Captaincy Peaks: Won series against England in England in 1996.

Led Pakistan into the finals of the 1999 World Cup.

Squared a series and then won the Asian Test Championship in India during the peak of tensions between India and Pakistan in 1999.

Captaincy Record: 25 Tests. 12 Won; 8 Lost; 5 Drawn. 109 ODIs. 66 Won; 41 Lost

Salim Malik ★ ★

Right-Handed Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1994-95

From: Lahore.

Captaincy Style: Calm; aloof; secretive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was banned for life for indulging in match-fixing.

Captaincy Peaks: Winning a tense game against Australia by just 1 wicket in 1994 (Karachi).

Captaincy Record: 12 Tests. 7 Won; 3 Lost; 2 Drawn. 34 ODIs. 21 Won; 11 Lost

Rameez Raja ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 1995-96; 1997.

From: Lahore.

Captaincy Style: Steady; defensive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was reprimanded by the board for writing ‘condescending articles against his own players’ during an ODI tournament in India in 1997.

Captaincy Record: 5 Tests. 1 Won; 2 Lost; 2 Drawn. 22 ODIs. 7 Won; 13 Lost

Saeed Anwar ★

Left-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenture: 1997; 1999.

From: Karachi.

Captaincy Style: Timid; bland; defensive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 7 Tests. 1 Won; 4 Lost; 2 Drawn.11 ODIs. 5 Won; 6 Lost

Aamir Sohail ★

Left-Handed-Batsman. Occasional Left-Arm-Spinner

Captaincy Tenure: 1998

From: Lahore.

Captaincy Style: Dogmatic; uninspired; confrontational.

Unique Tactic: None

Controversies: Accused the selectors of refusing to give him the side he wanted to field. Resigned in anger.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 6 Tests. 1 Won; 2 Lost; 3 Drawn. 22 ODIs. 9 Won; 12 Lost

Moin Khan ★ ★

Wicketkeeper-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 1997; 1999; 2000-1

From: Karachi.

Captaincy Style: Street-smart.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 13 Tests. 4 Won; 2 Lost; 7 Drawn. 34 ODIs. 20 Won; 14 Lost

Waqar Younis ★ ★ ★

Right-Arm-Fast-Bowler; Lower Order Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 2001-2003

From: Vehari.

Captaincy Style: Attacking.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was taken off by the umpires for bowling head-high beamers to batsmen during Pakistan’s match against Australia in the 2003 World Cup. Refused to attend the post-match ceremony after Pakistan lost that game.

Captaincy Peaks: Drawing a series against England in England in 2001 in tough conditions.

Captaincy Record: 17 Tests. 10 Won; 7 Lost; 0 Drawn. 62 ODIs. 37 Won; 23 Lost

Waqar advising his fast bowling partner, Wasim.

Rashid Latif ★ ★

Wicketkeeper-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 1998; 2003-4.

From: Karachi

Unique Tactic: None.

Captaincy Style: Confrontational; temperamental.

Controversies: Was suspended (and then removed as captain) after claiming a false catch during a Test against Bangladesh in 2004.

Captaincy Peaks: Introduced Yasser Hamid and Muhammad Hafeez.

Captaincy Record: 6 Tests. 4 Won; 1 Lost; 1 Drawn. 25 ODIs. 13 Won; 12 Lost

Inzimam-ul-Haq ★ ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 2001; 2003-2007.

From: Multan

Captaincy Style: Understated; diplomatic; ‘fatherly.’

Unique Tactic: Utilised religious sermons and rituals to exercise control over a volatile team.

Controversies: Was alleged to have kept Misbah-ul-Haq out of the squad ‘because he was more educated and urbane’ and ‘could threaten his captaincy.’

Frequently clashed with fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar because he refused to conform to Inzimam’s ‘religious tactics.’

Captaincy Peaks: Squared a tough series against India (in India) in 2004-5 after being one-down.

Captaincy Record: 31 Tests. 11 Won; 11 Lost; 9 Drawn. 87 ODIs. 51 Won; 33 Lost. 1 T20. 1 Won. O Lost.

Inzi had a tense relationship with tear-away fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar.

Shoaib Malik ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman; Right-Arm-Off-Break-Bowler

Captaincy Tenure: 2007-2008

From: Sialkot.

Captaincy Style: Mercurial; Confrontational.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Resigned the captaincy after clashing with the cricket board.

Captaincy Peaks: Recalled Misbah-ul-Haq.

Led Pakistan to the final of the 2007 T-20 World Cup.

Captaincy Record: 3 Tests. 0 Won; 2 Lost; 1 Drawn. 36 ODIs. 24 Won; 12 Lost. 17 T20. 12 Won. 4 Lost.

Younis Khan ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 2004; 2006; 2008-2009.

From: Mardan

Captaincy Style: Temperamental.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Resigned the captaincy after claiming that a group of players were not cooperating with him.

Captaincy Peaks: Won the 2009 T-20 World Cup.

Captaincy Record: 9 Tests. 1 Won; 3 Lost; 5 Drawn. 21 ODIs. 8 Won; 13 Lost. 8 T20. 5 Won. 3 Lost.

Muhammad Yousaf ★

Right-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 2005; 2009-2010

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Insipid; defensive; uninspiring.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was captain during the 2009-10 series against Australia when some of his players were alleged to have ‘thrown away a Test match.’

Approached the NZ captain Denial Vettori during 2009 tour of NZ and asked him if he would be willing to listen to a religious sermon. Vettori politely declined.

Captaincy Peaks: None.

Captaincy Record: 9 Tests. 2 Won; 6 Lost; 1 Drawn. 8 ODIs. 2 Won; 6 Lost. 0 T20. 0 Won. 0 Lost.

Shahid Afridi ★ ★

All-Rounder. Right-Handed-Batsman; Right-Arm-leg-Spin-Bowler

Captaincy Tenure: 2009; 2013-15.

From: Khybar Tribal Areas.

Captaincy Style: Expressive/emotive; mercurial; impulsive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was suspended for ball-tampering during an ODI against Australia in 2009.

Resigned Test captaincy in the middle of a series against Australia in 2010.

Often clashed with coach, Waqar Younis.

Captaincy Peaks: Leading a weary Pakistan side into the semi-finals of the 2012 World Cup.

Captaincy Record: 1 Tests. 0 Won; 1 Lost; 0 Drawn. 38 ODIs. 19 Won; 18 Lost. 30 T20. 15 Won. 15 Lost.

Salman Butt ★

Left-Handed Batsman.

Captaincy Tenure: 2010

From: Lahore

Captaincy Style: Secretive.

Unique Tactic: None.

Controversies: Was handed a seven-year-ban and a jail term for ‘spot-fixing’ in a Test against England in 2010.

Captaincy Peaks: Winning a close Test against a strong Australian side in 2010.

Captaincy Record: 5 Tests. 2 Won; 3 Lost; 0 Drawn. 0 ODIs. 0 Won; 0 Lost. 0 T20. 0 Won. 0 Lost.

Misbah-ul-Haq ★ ★ ★ ★

Right-Handed-Batsman

Captaincy Tenure: 2011-2016

From: Mianwali

Captaincy Style: Diplomatic; understated; defensive; calm.

Unique Tactic: Tries to set fields and bowling lines to dry out the runs and consequently, ‘buy a wicket.’

Controversies: None.

Captaincy Peaks: Defeated England 3-0 in 2012.

Chased down over 300 in the last three sessions of the Test against Sri Lanka to square the series in 2014.

Defeated Australia 2-0 in 2015.

Squared the series against England in 2016 after being 2-1 behind.

Led Pakistan to the No: 1 spot in international Test rankings in late 2016.

Introduced Saeed Ajmal and Yasir Shah.

Captaincy Record: 52 Tests. 24 Won; 17 Lost; 11 Drawn. 87 ODIs. 45 Won; 39 Lost. 8 T20. 6 Won. 2 Lost.

The caption of the second photo had stated that Kardar was in the photo, leading the national team. Kardar is, in fact, not in the photo. The error has been corrected.

Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and Dawn.com. He is also the author of two books on the social history of Pakistan, End of the Past and The Pakistan Anti-Hero.

He tweets @NadeemfParacha

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Comments (78) Closed

Muhammad Tahir

Jan 05, 2017 03:10pm

Excellent work done by Dawn Newspaper, My vote will goes to the one and only Sir Misbah.

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Ahmad

Jan 05, 2017 03:15pm

Brilliantly done!

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talal shoaib

Jan 05, 2017 03:16pm

Where is Waseem Akram in the list?

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imran

Jan 05, 2017 03:15pm

analysis are not always accurate and this also falls way short of the mark. i think the rating needed more elaboration. That is why imran khan and kardar were placed with misbah and mustaq. how come waqar got the same grade as javed miandad, most of waqar's victories came against very very weak sides and javed's against strong oppositions.

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Laeeq Ahmed

Jan 05, 2017 03:16pm

there should have been a 0 star for salman.

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Muhammad Taha Tariq

Jan 05, 2017 03:16pm

100% agree with the given ratings.

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imran

Jan 05, 2017 03:19pm

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Ahmad

Jan 05, 2017 03:17pm

@talal shoaib Bhai, he is very much there. How can you miss him?

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Fanny

Jan 05, 2017 03:23pm

Misbah the best

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Mamoon

Jan 05, 2017 03:54pm

Great article Nadeem. Kudos !

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Akbar Saleem

Jan 05, 2017 04:09pm

Amir Sohail was the captain when Pakistan won its first test match on South African Soil, I believe he deserves credit for that

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Jan 05, 2017 04:14pm

26 captains in 70 years means average of 2.6 years per captain shame on us.

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Omer

Jan 05, 2017 04:10pm

Thing that standout for misbah.... controversies.... NO!!! big achievement in view of the mess he was handed over ti

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Zakir naik

Jan 05, 2017 04:14pm

Misbah indeed is best captain of all time,and clean image decent person.

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SYED MUHUMMAD ASIM

Jan 05, 2017 04:17pm

VERY NICE ARTICLE NADEEM SB

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Irfan

Jan 05, 2017 04:38pm

@Omer very well said. Misbahi has always stayed away from all the controversies. It is not easy when you have exceptionally controversial players are around.

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abdullah

Jan 05, 2017 04:37pm

Javed Mianad was as good as Imran Khan and Mushtaq Muhammad. He easily deserves four stars. Imran Khan won most of the matches with Javed Miandad included in the playing eleven while Miandad won several matches without Imran Khan. Misbah could never clinched a series out side asia but Miandad beat England in England in 1993. He also won a test against Australia in Australia in 1982-83.

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Asif

Jan 05, 2017 04:42pm

After seeing his captaincy in the 2015 ODI world and the New Zealand and Australian I think Misbah captaincy is insipid and clueless. He has no idea on how to plan to get a batsman out. His field placings for Yasir Shah don't make any sense. I will never give him 4 star. The star studded Pakistan batting lineup failed miserably in 1979-80. Also Imran Khan didn't contributed much on the tour because of injury. Its unfair to totally blame Asif Iqbal for this and give him 1 star. That was the only series he was captain.

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Shahid

Jan 05, 2017 04:42pm

A captain should always be judged by the quality of his players and the oppositions his captained against. I do not agree with Mr. Paracha's ratings as not only me but legends of the world cricket rate Imran Khan as one of the finest captains in the cricket history. 5 stars to Khan for sure.

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Shahid

Jan 05, 2017 04:48pm

@tj, What is there to be ashamed of? If a country like Italy isn't ashamed of having 43 prime ministers in last 73 years, should we be ashamed of having had 26 cricket captains in 70 years.

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Zakir

Jan 05, 2017 05:01pm

Javed Minadad should be 4 star

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ADNAN MAZHER KHAN

Jan 05, 2017 05:03pm

Imran Khan deliberately kept Qasim Umar, Younis Ahmed, Iqbal Qasim and Tauseef Ahmed as far away from the team as possible. Used them occasionally. He did not play Azmat Rana at all. Without Javed Minadad, Imran would not have even half the matched he led as skipper. Similarly, Inzimam gave very less chances to Rashid Latif, Asim Kamal and Misbah. Hence, there greatness will always be doubtful.

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Ahmad

Jan 05, 2017 05:11pm

@Shahid Bhai, 4 stars is the highest rating here. Also, IK won most his games at home. Misbah won all of his games away from home. UAE is NOT home. Pakistan reached No:1 ranking under both IK (1988) and Misbah (2015). The only edge IK has over Misbah is that he won the world cup. And Misbah has edge over IK due to the fact that there are no controversies attached to Misbah and the fact that Misbah became captain when Pakistan as a country and cricket team had hit rock bottom.

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Sher-E-Bangla

Jan 05, 2017 05:17pm

Tactically Mishbah is the worst captain and is lucky to win so many matches because they were played in Dubai Dead wickets. He is exposed completely in Aus/NZ. I am not sure how Salim malik/Shohaib malik who were tactical genius didn't get better rakings

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shujat

Jan 05, 2017 05:31pm

such a shame misbah's career will finish the way it started, with a "Whimper"

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SAF

Jan 05, 2017 05:36pm

Misbah's 5 year ODI captaincy tenure is the sole reason why we are at the lowest ebb in the ODI format. HIs captaincy was defensive, unimaginative and tactically flawed, great captains can only be judged on performances across all format and conditions. Sorry, Misbah would always be a captain fantastic for UAE conditions only.

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Asif

Jan 05, 2017 05:40pm

@Ahmad There was no ranking system in 1988.

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Asif

Jan 05, 2017 05:42pm

@ Sher-E-Bangla If the wickets in UAE were so dead how did the opposition batsmen got out on those wickets.

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Adnan Afzal

Jan 05, 2017 05:59pm

@talal shoaib Up there. Ctrl+F would work.

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bilal

Jan 05, 2017 06:03pm

Even though Kardar record is good, do not think he should get a 4 star. Javed should be 4 star. Waqar should also be down graded. Imran should be 5 star.

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Ayaz

Jan 05, 2017 06:05pm

Javed was a poor captain....He was over-hyped Batsman who hardly could score in West Indies, Australia and England who were decent teams in his era......!! Azhar Ali is much much better than him any day.

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syed Shahzad Bukhari

Jan 05, 2017 06:11pm

Nadeem F. Paracha, Sir excellent compilation of our captains cricket career

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Ahmad

Jan 05, 2017 06:18pm

@Asif Kindly do some research before making sweeping statements, Asif Sahib. Here: http://insider.pk/sport/cricket/pakistan-no-1-test-team/

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Dr. SalariA, Aamir Ahmad

Jan 05, 2017 06:37pm

Once again, NFP at his best in this "star-studded" article describing the overall achievements of various skippers of green-shirts, since day one. This is indeed a highly informative writing with catching pictures for all cricket enthusiasts, fans,players, sponsors, administrators and lovers of the game. Keep it up and hang on tough.

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Omer Javed

Jan 05, 2017 06:59pm

For Misbah you state : Tries to set fields and bowling lines to dry out the runs and consequently, ‘buy a wicket.’ Really ? Does he buy a wicket that way ? Is he innovative enough to do that ?

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Raza

Jan 05, 2017 06:59pm

Excellent work and Research done by NFP !!

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Irfan

Jan 05, 2017 07:04pm

Misbah should have been rated as 5 star. He is the best so far.

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Omer Javed

Jan 05, 2017 07:05pm

How could someone put Misbah in the same league as Kardar, Mushtaq Muhammad and Imran Khan? All of them achieved great victories against superior oppositions in testing conditions. Further they produced band of players which would be par with best in world. Misbah on the other hand has achieved the stats on dull spinning tracks of UAE employing defensive least innovative tactics.

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Shahid

Jan 05, 2017 07:04pm

@Ahmad sahib, thanks for correcting me on rating stars. In my opinion, UAE is better suited to today's Pakistan cricket than Pakistani wickets as our domestic wickets do help fast bowlers too which is not the case in UAE. Please note that in Misbah's era there is no super strong team in the world as was the case when IK played and WI were just inhaling every other team. Even England and Australia were way too strong then as compared to today. And also do consider that Misbah did not play against one of the top present teams, India.

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Abx

Jan 05, 2017 07:09pm

Imran khan the best

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Masood Hussain

Jan 05, 2017 07:17pm

Misbah no doubt is the best.

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Ednan

Jan 05, 2017 08:34pm

Nicely presented, though one thing I know and saw is Javed Miandad 92 series vs ENG was 2-1 instead of written here 2-0.

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blunt

Jan 05, 2017 08:43pm

1. Misbah 2. Miandad 3. Mushtaq 4. Imran

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faisal rana

Jan 05, 2017 08:44pm

Surprised that match fixing was not listed as a controversy for Wasim Akram. Akram is a legend for Pakistan but the dark clouds of match fixing and his role in it will always cloud his illustrious career.

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Sad paw

Jan 05, 2017 09:18pm

Three cheers for Misbah!

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faith

Jan 05, 2017 09:45pm

nice article, though Imran Khan deserve 5 stars

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Jan 05, 2017 11:07pm

So many captains post Wasim and Waqar !

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A L ahmed

Jan 05, 2017 11:16pm

I consider Misbah the best. Imran had great bowlers, and Mushtaq had strong batsmen. Both Imran's team and Mushtaq's team were highly confident, consistent and had the board's support. Misbah achieved with nothing. His team, for most part, played outside, were very inconsistent, and morale of the team and board was always low. Unlike Imran, Misbah is a very humble person, and let his achievements do the talking. Also, I think Inzi, though a good batsman, was a terrible captain (deserves only 1 star, at best).

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Farah (New York)

Jan 05, 2017 11:40pm

Imran Khan is the best!!! no one could ever be like him.

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Zeshan Akram

Jan 06, 2017 12:18am

i have always heard experts claiming Salim Malik as most successful caption of Pakistan, but no specific weightage is given here, Strange

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Jan 06, 2017 01:01am

too many captains

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Princess_of_DHUMP

Jan 06, 2017 01:24am

Love Misbah - Regardless of the series result against Australia - he has been a great servant to PAKISTAN cricket

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SHAHBAZ AZMI

Jan 06, 2017 01:35am

Excellent synopsis!!!

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arastu

Jan 06, 2017 01:36am

people commentating against Misbah and talk about Miandad and Akram should remember the talent at their disposal. Miandad had Waqar and Wasim two all time greats in his line up and Akram had Saqlain and Mushtaq and Shoaib another three great bowlers whereas Misbah thrashed England with Ajmal, Hafeez , Aizaz cheema , Gul and Rehman. Similarly drew in England with a very limited attack. Misbah is not most attacking but most successful indeed.Miandad's record in Australia is equally bad with the whole side getting bowled out for 62 at Perth with all time greats in the side .

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Danish

Jan 06, 2017 01:57am

@AYAZ, I believe you think that Javed was a Footballer! My dear, his name is in the 'all time great'of Cricket.

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zafar yousufzai

Jan 06, 2017 02:02am

Good job!

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Zulfi

Jan 06, 2017 02:24am

For me Imran >> Miandad >> Younis Khan >> Wasim Akram >> Misbah >> Inzi=Saleem Malik But since we are mainly talking about this era, if Younis Khan had the luxury of captaining Pakistan in 40 odd tests in UAE/Asia he would have had a record as good as Misbah's if not superior. Younis a most under-rated captain imo. (p.s. rate Kardar and Mushtaq very highly too but did not watch them play) Misbah should retire after this series Make Younis Khan ((he was innovative and aggressive (not defensive like Inzi and Misbah) and impressed with his smart bowling changes and field settings during his brief stint as captain ....but Younis is also an emotional guy and resigned himself as he just could not handle dressing room politics)) interim captain for a year or so until Sarfaraz (needs to show greater consistency with gloves & bat) or somebody-else is ready to take over the reigns. Azhar Ali is ultra defensive and certainly not captaincy material imo.

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Aziz

Jan 06, 2017 02:46am

@talal shoaib Perhaps you should look for WASIM instead of Waseem.

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Khan

Jan 06, 2017 02:54am

Please add the following highlight for Akram, He won Pakistan's first tri-angular ODI series down under in 1996-97 and it was the first time Australia didn't play the finals. The finals took place between Pak and Windies and Pak won the first two to lift the trophy.

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Sameer

Jan 06, 2017 03:41am

Misbah gets a lot of appreciation for taking the reigns in tough times and getting team through to number 1. But I think his strategy was still not apt to become a world beating team. In Australia, South Africa, England, New Zealand, his records tell another story. That is what makes Imran Khan and Miandad great as captains, they played amazing away from home.

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Faisal

Jan 06, 2017 03:50am

Wow, that's one long list. We don't have continuity in anything, except in government where only Sharifs and Bhuttos rule with occasional kick by the military.

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Anjum Niaz

Jan 06, 2017 04:21am

Please see photo # 2 that carries the wrong caption. The man leading the cricket team is the Manager of the cricket team, Syed Fida Hassan and not Kardar. By the way, Kardar is missing from this photo. Mr Piracha, I would appreciate if you can carry a correction. I would also welcome if Dawn.com carried the correction, since this photo has done many rounds and appears to be a permanent fixture in cyber space. Thanks Anjum Niaz USA

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Asif

Jan 06, 2017 05:06am

@Ayaz do you really know about Javed Miandad performances in WI England and Australia!!!. What you mentioned is a joke.

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Shahzad Ishaq Khan

Jan 06, 2017 05:36am

Good rating

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Pak Patriot

Jan 06, 2017 05:37am

@Shahid ..So you are content comparing us to the lowest denominator ? Is this your goal ?

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Pak Patriot

Jan 06, 2017 05:42am

Good job Nadeem Paracha. ..... At the conclusion of the impressive article, Would like to have seen a summary in a chart starting with stars 4, 3, 2, 1 across with Captain names for quick reference. Not too late to update and add it.

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Nas

Jan 06, 2017 07:49am

@imran Perhaps because JM never really went after the win and was fortunate to have a great team at his disposal whereas Waqar attacked the opposition and took on the risk of defeat in pursuit of victory

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Nas

Jan 06, 2017 07:50am

@Asif Thank you Asif..Thats you isn't it!!

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Asif

Jan 06, 2017 09:46am

@Nas Dear I am not sure which Asif you are looking for

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Mr.T

Jan 06, 2017 10:50am

You really like misbah, don't you ? That's why you gave him 4 star ? he's good but not that good.

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hnmirza

Jan 06, 2017 12:00pm

Good analysis overall. People may have minor disagreements here or there but no one can argue with 4 stars for Mushtaq, Imran and possibly Kardar. Misbah is unfortunate that the last 6 tests have all but taken off the sheen from his captaincy tenure and the actual credit of lifting Pakistan from the abyss it had found itself in will now be diluted - at least for now.I still think he has performed stellar service for Pakistan cricket.

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Dr. Kent B Huzen

Jan 06, 2017 01:22pm

@talal shoaib , he is in the list

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Dr. Kent B Huzen

Jan 06, 2017 01:25pm

Brilliant work by Mr. Nadeem

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Shazad

Jan 06, 2017 08:46pm

@Ayaz 'Javed was a poor captain....He was over-hyped Batsman who hardly could score in West Indies, Australia and England who were decent teams in his era......!! Azhar Ali is much much better than him any day.' Ayaz, what do you smoke? Miandad was batsman in era where having averages over 50 was rare. Making 50s was as good as making 100 today. Even to give 225 runs target in last inning was winning target. In that era, Miandad never had average below 50. He scored over 50 plus runs 66 times in 189 innings (compared to Younis scoring 50 plus 66 times in 206 innings). Since ODIs and T20Is popularity, quality and size of bats has improved so much that even mishits can be 4 or 6. Thickness of bats increased ~ 22 mm and Sweet spots are around 2.5 times bigger. 1Wickets are also made batting friendly, and batsmen taking on average 5 to 6 runs an over is thing of the past. So, only a retarded brain can compare Miandad with present Pakistani batsmen with average performance.

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Umair jamil

Jan 07, 2017 03:03am

You forgot to mention, 1998 Sahara cup, Pakistan came from being 1-0 after first ODI and win 4-1 against India in Toronto. Aamir Sohail's highest point as captain and featured a relatively weak lineup. If I remember it right the highest wicket-taker in the series was Salim Malik and Afridi scored his second ODI hundred after the world record hundred. India had sent Sachin and a few other players to take part in Commonwealth games as cricket was being introduced first time. Surprising thing was in the 1997 edition India had beaten a Ramiz Raja lead Pakistan 4-1.

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musheer

Jan 07, 2017 09:59am

@Ahmad Where Misbah as a player not of international standard, PCB needed yes sir type captain so he was suddenly came in to the team, almost 6 years he is captain but couldn't able to build the team., the leader always build the team.

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Mango man

Jan 07, 2017 11:27am

Now this is unusual fare from the NFP stables but most welcome. I was expecting a satire but instead came across a fact filled thought provoked. I agree with most of his assessments and thank him for the obvious research that has gone into writing this piece.

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Suri

Jan 07, 2017 02:38pm

Wasim Akram is the best under pressure

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