Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame

Former Pakistani batter Zaheer Abbas was formally inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame on March 12 (Saturday). The right-handed batter received his commemorative cap and plaque from the PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain. The event took place during the lunch break of the ongoing second Test between Pakistan and Australia being played at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Abbas, one of the most elegant batters to ever play for Pakistan, is the third PCB Hall of Famer after Fazal Mahmood and Wasim Akram. Remaining five inductions will be conducted soon as well. The now 74-year-old Abbas played 78 Test matches for Pakistan in which he scored 5062 runs at an average of 44.79. Abbas also stroked 20 fifties and 12 centuries in the longest format of the game with the highest score of 274 runs.

In ODIs, he represented Pakistan in 62 matches, amassing 2572 runs at a brilliant average of 47.62. He also has seven hundreds and 13 half-centuries under his name in the 50-over format. The part timer off-spinner has also scalped a total of ten wickets in his international career.

Cricket has moved on from my playing days but it still remains a gentleman’s game: Zaheer Abbas

“I feel humbled to have been recognised in such a respectful and honourable manner by my parent organisation at my home ground, during play of my favourite format of the game and in front of passionate cricket fans, who have also played an integral part throughout my cricketing career,” Abbas was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“Cricket has moved on from my playing days but it still remains a gentleman’s game. It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction to see that this beautiful sport remains in the safe and capable hands of modern day elite cricketers who, day in day out, give their very best in striving to continue to enhance the standard of this sport and in doing so, attract, inspire and motivate younger generation of cricketers,” he added.