Gilchrist remembers Inzamam’s second-innings hundred in Hobart in 1999 and jokes about how Inzy took forever to leave the field once he was given out: “There were slow over rates given to the opposition because he was still trying to get off the field.” Can you guess Gilchrist’s other two picks?
Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist recently shared his admiration for Pakistan’s rich cricketing history by naming his top three Pakistani batters of all time. Known for his explosive batting and skilled wicketkeeping, Gilchrist emphasized the impact each player had on Pakistan cricket through their unique qualities.
Adam Gilchrist picks his top three Pakistani batters
From consistency during challenging periods to game-changing moments and resilience against top international attacks, Gilchrist’s selections reflect the diverse talents that have defined Pakistan’s batting legacy. His picks pay homage to the skill, composure, and strategic strength these players brought to the game.
Mastering calmness in challenging times
At third, Gilchrist chose Mohammad Yousuf, praising the Pakistan cricketer’s impressive milestone of being the leading Test run-scorer in a single calendar year, with nine centuries. Gilchrist emphasized Yousuf’s calmness and composure on the field, qualities that allowed him to anchor Pakistan’s lineup during a period of transition. Gilchrist admired how Pakistan could rely on Yousuf’s consistent performance, which often became the foundation of their game plan.
“Mohammad Yousuf, Yousuf Youhana he went by that name for much of his career, at one calender year he was the leading run-scorer, I think he scored nine Test match centuries in a calender year, he was a class act so much composure, so much calmness around a time when it was a bit of a transitioning time for Pakistan cricket, so they built their whole match plan around him,” Gilchrst said on Fox Cricket.
Defining moments and leadership impact
Coming in at number two was Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain and chief selector. Known for his power and calmness under pressure, Inzamam had a breakout moment during the 1992 World Cup. Gilchrist reminisced about a memorable 1999 Test in Hobart, where a remarkable catch by Mark Waugh dismissed Inzamam, a turning point in the game.
“He arrived in the 1992 World Cup at such a young age, and there’s a famous victory in Hobart in 1999 where we chased down the total. I don’t mention that because I got some runs, but the turning point in that game was when Mark Waugh took a blinder catch to get Inzi out. Inzi got a second innings hundred. If he doesn’t hold on to that, it was a turning point for Pakistan at that time,” added Gilchrist.
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Overcoming the world’s toughest bowlers
Gilchrist’s top pick was Javed Miandad, celebrated as one of Pakistan’s greatest. Gilchrist pointed out that Miandad faced some of the strongest opponents, including the formidable West Indies and Australian teams, and still maintained his high performance. This resilience and skill against top-quality bowlers make Miandad, in Gilchrist’s eyes, Pakistan’s greatest batter.
“What stood out for me about Javed Miandad were his numbers, which are outstanding. He was immaculate in Test cricket. But what makes him exceptional is the quality of attacks he had to face in his era. He faced the mighty West Indies, the formidable Australian attack, and many others. It was an era where most nations had really strong attacks, so he had to take them on against the best. That’s why he’s my number one,” Gilchrist concluded.