SAEED ANWAR THE GREAT OPNER

Full name Saeed Anwar Born September 6, 1968, Karachi, Sind Current age 39 years 339 daysMajor teams Pakistan, Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, United Bank LimitedBatting style Left-hand batBowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

Test debut
Pakistan v West Indies at Faisalabad, Nov 23-25, 1990
Last Test

Pakistan v Bangladesh at Multan, Aug 29-31, 2001

ODI debut
Pakistan v West Indies at Perth, Jan 1, 1989
Last ODI
Zimbabwe v Pakistan at Bulawayo, Mar 4,

Awards

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997

Profile

Majestic timing and placement were Saeed Anwar's hallmarks. He was an opener capable of electrifying starts in all cricket through graceful strokeplay rather than brute force. He loved driving through the off side with minimal footwork. He annihilated any bowler offering width outside off stump although he too regularly guided the ball straight into the hands of fourth slip or gully. He first came to prominence as a one-day player but soon achieved equal success in Test cricket. Anwar's fielding was weak, he was injury prone, and his footwork became less assured as his career drew to a close. Opting to take a break from the game after the death of his daughter in August 2001, he was a lesser force when he came back, though he still managed a hundred against India in the 2003 World Cup. His batting prowess on the wane, Anwar finally announced his retirement just before Pakistan's home series against Bangladesh. The record for the highest score in one-day cricket still rests with him, and on his day he was one of the most gracefully compelling players on the international stage