Babar Azam not selected in Pakistan’s best Test XI of the past 40 years
Looking back over the last 40 years, there have been a number of incredible players who have represented Pakistan. Picking a best Test XI from that period is incredibly difficult, as it means leaving out some extraordinarily talented cricketers.
In the middle order specifically, finding space for the likes of Younis Khan, Saleem Malik, Babar Azam, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad, and Mohammad Yousuf is nearly impossible — all of them averaged over 50 while batting at number four.
Similar selection headaches exist when it comes to the bowling attack. Is it possible to fit Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar into one team?
If so, would there be space for a specialist spinner, and who would it be? There are so many options and only eleven places to fill. After careful consideration, here’s our selection for Pakistan’s best Test XI since 1985:
1. Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar was Pakistan’s most elegant left-handed opener, capable of dismantling any bowling attack. He combined grace with aggression, timing the ball to perfection with effortless stroke play.
Anwar’s ability to bat long made him an ideal choice at the top of the order. His 188 not out against India in Chennai remains one of Pakistan’s greatest Test knocks. In all Anwar played 55 games as an opener for Pakistan, scoring 3957 runs at an average of 47.10.
2. Azhar Ali
Azhar Ali was a rock for Pakistan from his debut in 2013 until his last Test in 2019. His patience, concentration, and ability to play long innings were invaluable, particularly in tough overseas conditions.
He will always be remembered for his incredible triple century (302) against the West Indies in 2016, an innings that cemented his place as one of Pakistan’s best modern Test openers. In total he played 97 times for Pakistan, 20 of those games saw him opening the batting. His average as an opener was 45.76, a handful more than his total average.
3. Younis Khan
Arguably Pakistan’s finest Test batsman, Younis Khan was the backbone of the team for more than a decade. His ability to bat under pressure and anchor the innings made him indispensable.
His legendary 313 against Sri Lanka in 2009 remains one of the greatest Pakistani Test innings. Younis was a master of fourth-innings chases, leading Pakistan to famous victories on multiple occasions. His average at three was 51.32 but he could bat almost anywhere in the top order with his stats equally good at four and five.
4. Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad was the tactical genius and street-smart cricketer Pakistan needed in the 1980s and early 1990s. His ability to handle pace and spin with equal ease, along with his determination and grit, made him a crucial figure in Pakistan’s middle order. Miandad’s 271 against New Zealand in 1989 was an innings of remarkable patience and skill.
The competition for places in this middle order is enormous, but Miandad gets the nod from us with players like Inzamam and Mohammad Yousuf slotted in elsewhere. In all Miandad played 56 times at four, he scored 3647 runs and averaged 53.63.
5. Inzamam-ul-Haq
Big, and dare we say lumpy, Inzamam-ul-Haq didn’t look like a natural athlete. But put a bat in his hand and he turned into a genius with an unmatched ability to control the tempo of an innings.
He was the anchor Pakistan relied on in pressure situations. His calm demeanour and excellent technique against both pace and spin made him one of Pakistan’s best-ever middle-order batsmen.
His performances against Australia and England were particularly outstanding. For a big man he was surprisingly nimble, although when it came to footwork it was more about getting in line and to the pitch of the ball than it was quick singles. In all Inzamam played 39 games at number five, scoring 2144 runs and averaging 51.04.
6. Mohammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf was one of the most stylish batsmen Pakistan has ever produced. His 2006 season, where he scored 1788 runs in a calendar year, remains the highest tally by any Test batsman. He made batting look effortless, playing beautiful drives and flicks with elegance. His 223 against England in 2006 was an innings of supreme class.
Six would not be his preferred position but we had to find a way to fit him into the team and this was the best place to do it as he completes what is an imposing top order. Overall Yousuf played 89 games for Pakistan accumulating 7428 runs with a high score of 223 and an average of 52.68.
7. Imran Khan (captain)
Imran Khan was not just Pakistan’s greatest captain but also one of their finest all-rounders. His leadership, aggressive fast bowling, and crucial lower-order contributions made him an automatic selection. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won their first Test series in England and became a dominant force in world cricket.
As a batsman Imran Khan averaged 62.57 batting at six, which is pretty astounding. But we have slotted him in at seven, a position where he enjoyed slightly less success with 604 runs and an average of 33.55. As a bowler Khan claimed 362 wickets at an average of 22.81 and a strike rate of 53.7.
8. Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper)
Though often remembered for his inconsistent glovework, Kamran Akmal was an attacking wicketkeeper-batsman. His ability to change the course of a game with quick runs made him Pakistan’s best wicketkeeper-batsman in Tests over the last four decades. His 154 against India in 2005 was a game-changing innings.
He does well to beat out players like Rashid Latif and Moin Khan who were also accomplished glove-men. Akmal gets the nod by virtue of his superior record batting at eight.
9. Wasim Akram
Widely regarded as the greatest left-arm fast bowler in cricket history, Wasim Akram could swing the ball both ways at pace. His ability to bowl deadly reverse swing and his skill as a lower-order batsman made him one of the most complete cricketers of all time.
His 257 against Zimbabwe in 1996 remains one of the highest scores by a number eight batsman in Tests. We have him down to bat at nine. Overall, Akram claimed 414 Test wickets at an average of 23.62. As a batsman he averaged 22.64.
10. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis was the king of toe-crushing yorkers. His partnership with Wasim Akram was legendary, and he often dismantled batting lineups with sheer pace. His ability to swing the ball late at high speeds made him one of the most feared bowlers of his generation. Younis managed 373 wickets from 87 games at an average of 23.56 and at an incredible strike-rate of 43.4.
The combination of Akram and Younis beats out Shoaib Malik who came close. Akhtar was the quickest and his average was marginally better than Younis and Akram – but Younis has a better strike rate and Akram is a lefty.
11. Danish Kaneria
Pakistan has produced many great spinners, but Danish Kaneria was one of the most effective in Tests. His ability to extract turn and bounce made him a wicket-taking threat in all conditions.
He remains Pakistan’s most successful leg-spinner in Test history with 261 wickets from 61 Tests at an average of 34.79. Players like Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq came close, but we have gone for Kaneria based on volume of wickets. Abdul Qadir should also get a mention. He was a great player for Pakistan, but the period under review only takes in the tail of his career and he misses out.
12. Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah-ul-Haq was Pakistan’s most dependable batsman in the post-2010 era. His calmness under pressure and leadership qualities made him a pillar of stability. His 161 against England at Lord’s was a knock of sheer resilience.
He is a quality player who averaged 47.12 from 74 games with a total of 5184 runs scored. And he was an excellent team man.
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