When Javed Miandad first captained Pakistan, was he the youngest member of the team? asks Tariq Iqbal
Master batsman turned Wisden Online columnist Javed Miandad first captained Pakistan against Australia at Karachi in 1979-80 (and won by seven wickets). He was almost 23 at the time. Although he was Pakistan's youngest captain, and the third-youngest in Test history (after the Nawab of Pataudi junior of India, and Australia's Ian Craig), Javed wasn't the youngest member of that particular side – Tauseef Ahmed, who was making his Test debut in that game (and took seven wickets) was almost a year younger. However, the following year against West Indies at home, Javed was twice the youngest player in his side, in the Tests at Karachi and Multan. Initial research suggests there have been 19 instances at Test level of the captain being the youngest member of the side: by South Africa's Herbie Taylor (one match in 1912), the Nawab of Pataudi junior (five matches between 1961-62 and 1963-64), Javed Miandad (the two matches mentioned above), Kapil Dev (India v Pakistan, Bangalore 1983-84), Hansie Cronje (four matches between Jan 1994 and March 1995) and Sachin Tendulkar (six Tests between Oct 1996 and Dec 1997).
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