Younis Khan, Abdul Hafeez Kardar inducted into PCB Hall of Fame

Pakistan’s first-ever skipper Abdul Hafeez Kardar and T20 World Cup-winning skipper Younis Khan have become the latest inductees in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Hall of Fame. The two legends of Pakistan have now joined the likes of Abdul Qadir, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Zaheer Abbas in the elite panel.

Notably, Younis was inducted immediately after becoming eligible. As per the PCB norms, they induct players who played their last international match at least five years ago. Younis, who played his last international match in May 2017, thus was eligible to get inducted in 2022. The 44-year-old played a total of 408 matches and scored 17,790 runs for Pakistan in international cricket.

On the other hand, Abdul Hafeez is one of those rare players who represented both India and Pakistan in international cricket. Playing for the team since 1952, Kardar played 23 matches and scored 847 runs in the process. 

Former Pakistan skipper and current chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raza was thrilled to induct these legends into the Hall of Fame.

“We induct two stalwarts from two completely different generations and eras of our proud cricket history. AH Kardar gave us a cricket dream, vision and mission in our formation years, and Younis Khan was one of the players who gave his absolute best in fulfilling those expectations through exemplary hard work, deep commitment and untiring performances against all opposition and across all formats. The two gentlemen will always remain shining stars of Pakistan cricket and idols for the future generations,” the chairman said.

It is a matter of immense pride and honour: Younis Khan

“I feel honoured and humbled to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame. There are many notable names amongst the list inducted prior to me, whose performances have been outstanding. I, thus, feel it a matter of immense pride and honour for my name to be amongst those legends,” Younis said.

“My only regret remains being unable to play the second half of my international cricket in front of home fans, though despite this my supporters continued to follow and support me whenever and wherever I represented Pakistan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shahid Kardar, son of the legendary Abdul Kardar was deeply touched by the honour bestowed on his late father.  “The Kardar family is profoundly touched and gratified at the recognition of the contributions of their patriarch with his inclusion in the Hall of Fame by the Pakistan Cricket Board,” said Shahid Kardar.