Waqar Younis was a right-arm fast bowler known as one of the greatest pacers in the history of the game. He was undeniably successful because of the late inswings and speed of his deliveries; his yorkers dropped as if they were a yorker and swung at the last moment, making it impossible for batsmen to read them and react.
The fact that he took so many wickets in just 87 test matches and 416 in 262 ODI matches illustrates his aptitude for the game.
| Born: 16 Nov 1971 | Nationality: Pakistani |
| Years Active: (1989–2003) | Birth Place: Vehari, Pakistan |
| Height: 6 ft 0 in | Role: Bowler |
| Bowling Style: Right-arm Fast | Batting Style: Right-Handed |
| Nickname:Burewala Express, Wicky |
Waqar Younis, the famous speedster from Pakistan, was born on 16 November 1971 to Muhammed Younis. Since Waqar's father was a contractor there, he was raised both in Pakistan and the UAE. He has one brother, Faisal Younis, and one sister, Ambreen Younis.
Waqar married Faryal Waqar in December 2000. Faryal is an Emergency Physician The couple has a son named Azaan Waqar and a daughter named Maira Waqar.
Younis was born in a coastal area of New South Wales and has been passionate about the game since childhood. In his 20s, Younis was selected for the Australian Young Cricketers, which is a national youth team.
On his debut tour to England, Younis scored a century and a fifty, proving that he had extraordinary talent. After his return, Younis was given a place in the Australian Cricket Academy.
Younis played his first senior domestic season for New South Wales in 1992-93. A 20-run unbeaten inning in the second innings helped Wales win the final against Queensland easily.
In 1994, Younis joined Western Australia. During the 1994-95 seasons, he dismissed 55 first-class opponents, the most by a wicket-keeper in Australian domestic cricket. Aside from his brilliant glove work, he also developed into a destructive and reliable batsman.
In November 1989, Waqar made his debut at the National Stadium, where he immediately displayed his prowess by taking four important wickets in the first innings, including Sanjay Manjrekar, Manoj Prabhakar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kapil Dev.
Younis made his ODI debut a month ago against West Indies. He didn't get any wickets and bowled only four overs, but he was very economical.
Wasim Akram and Waqar were a deadly bowling duo, known as the Burewala Express. During his prime days, Waqar had an explosive pace and it was obvious when he took a hat-trick against New Zealand in 1994. Waqar's bowling style was different from most other fast bowlers. Instead of pitching short, he used to aim for the batsman's toes with full-length deliveries. By changing the way pace bowlers used to play, he revolutionized the game.
Following his successful debut, Waqar attracted much English attention in the 1990s while playing for Surrey. His bowling attack of 582 overs carried the club's bowling attack in 1991 when he took 113 wickets. During his time playing for Glamorgan, he also won the English County Championship.
Despite his brilliant career, Waqar had some blemishes. As a result of conflicts with his partner and team captain Akram, he was not a part of the Pakistan team at the start of the year 2000. The same year, he was banned from playing due to ball tampering and fined half the match fee.
In addition, Waqar's performance at the 2003 World Cup was somewhat hampered by a beamer he delivered at Australian Andrew Symonds.
In just his 22nd year, Waqar was made captain of the Pakistan cricket team, leading the team in 17 tests and 62 One Day Internationals. His captaincy led the team to big wins in series and matches.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to hold on to the captain's role due to controversies and low points.
With a minimum of 10,000 balls bowled, Waqar holds the second-best strike rate in Test Match Cricket
He took 10 wickets in a Test match as a youngster (18 years old)
The second fastest bowler in Test cricket to take 150 wickets
He holds the record for the best bowling figures for a captain in ODI (7/36) and was also the first captain to take 7 wickets in the same game.
Batting at number ten, he scored the most ODI runs during his career
ODI cricket records the most 4 wicket hauls (27)
In terms of innings, he holds the record for most consecutive five-wicket hauls (3).
During his career, he has taken three consecutive 4-wicket hauls in ODI innings (3 times).
The final years of Waqar's career were not all good; he announced his retirement in April 2004, just after Pakistan crashed out of the 2003 World Cup. Upon retirement, he became Pakistan's bowling coach but resigned within a year to begin his commentary career.
In December 2009, he was reappointed as Pakistan's bowling and fielding coach and later became head coach. Although Pakistan played poorly at the 2011 World Cup and he had personal reasons for resigning, he forced himself to do so following the tournament.
During the 2013 Indian Premier League, he joined Sunrisers Hyderabad as their bowling coach. The Pakistani head coach was reappointed once again in May 2014.
| ODI | |
|---|---|
| Matches: 262 | Run Scored: 416 |
| Bowling Average: 23.84 | Top Numbers: 7/36 |
| 10W/5W: 0/13 | Runs Scored: 969 |
| Test | |
|---|---|
| Matches: 87 | Wickets: 373 |
| Run Given: 8788 | Bowling Average: 23.56 |
| Top Numbers: 13/135 | 10W/5W: 5/22 |
| Runs Scored: 1010 | |
Sachin Tendulkar of India fields during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Group B match between India and the Netherlands at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on March 9, 2011 in Delhi, India.
Sachin Tendulkar of India raises his bat on scoring his century during the Group B ICC World Cup Cricket match between India and South Africa at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground on March 12, 2011 in Nagpur, India.
Sachin Tendulkar of India hits out watched by wicketkeeper Matt Prior of England during day five of the 4th npower Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on August 22, 2011 in London, England.
Sachin Tendulkar reach the iconic landmark of 100 international centuries against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in 2012
Sachin's first Test century
Sachin Tendulkar’s dream to hold the World Cup in his hands and in 2011 it finally happened.
