Player of the Month
November 1996: Saeed Anwar
November 1996 was a big month for opening batsmen. On the domestic scene, Transvaal's
Adam Bacher was the first South African to score a century and a double-century in the same game;
Victoria's Matthew Elliott scored more than 300 runs over two consecutive innings
and earned Australian Test selection for his efforts; while Mumbai's 19 year old
Wasim Jaffar scored 314 runs unbeaten in just one innings - which happened to
be in his second first-class appearance. Internationally, South Africa's
Gary Kirsten built upon his masterly efforts in the Titan Cup with twin
centuries in the Calcutta Test.
But our winner for November is a left-handed opening batsman from Karachi who
has impressed at the limited-over game for many years - he has had a great
1996 and scored two centuries in Pakistan's championship-winning series in
Sharjah this month. His Test match reputation is finally becoming more solid,
and he ended November with a powerful 149 in the Rawalpindi Test against New Zealand.
As Test captain he got the Obligatory Humiliating Home
Defeat out of the way in his leadership debut...
the googler's Player of the Month for November 1996 is Pakistan's
Saeed Anwar.
Highlights of Anwar's November:
104 not out against
New Zealand at Sharjah, November 10;
112 not out against
Sri Lanka two days later; and
149 in the
Second Test v NZ at Rawalpindi.
CricInfo database's Saeed Anwar page
Also on the Googler's:
Saeed Anwar: Undoubtedly one of Pakistan's All-Time Greats! by Abdul K.Hussain
your comments on Saeed Anwar following that article.
Your favourite moments from Saeed Anwar's career!
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 1997 18:43:54
Message from jysed@netreach.net (S.M.Junaid)
Saeed Anwar is the best stylish opening batsmen I have ever seen after Gordon
Greenidge. Saeed's all innings were great but his best inning was against India
during 96 World Cup quarter final. He is the most dashing stroke player once he
get going it's very difficult to stop him. I personally think that he is much
better than Lara and Tendulkar. Lara and Tendulkar play one big inning and then
they get out cheaply for other few matches which shows that they are not consistent.
Whereas Saeed atleast score 30-40 runs most of the time. Saeed Keep it up and wish you
best of luck for the future.
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 00:30:05
Message from tariq@globalserve.net (zain zia)
I remember saeed Anwar making a pair on his test debut against the WI in 1990.
Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 20:05:59
Message from legend@zip.com.au
Quarterfinal Inning at Bangalore in the 96 world Cup.
That was One Hell Of a Performance. He Absolutely thrashed the opponents.
Date: Wed, 25 Dec 96 07:36
Message from sia@paknet1.ptc.pk (Saad Ikhlas)
Classy is one word that comes to my mind when i think about this guy and coz he has that kool customer look about him ,he looks even more menacing.Saeed Anwar when in full flow is an absolute treat to watch and an absolute nightmare for the fielding side.He is rightly considered as the future captain and for me he is a really good prospect.I can never forget his innings at Banglore against India in the quaterfinal.He was amazing and no bowler could control him.I hope he plays on like this and continues to get big scores.WAY TO GO ANWAR!!!!!
Date: Tue, 24 Dec 96 02:52
Message from ramas@huskie.eng.sun.com (Ram)
I am very impressed with Anwar's batting. I cannot think of a more attacking batsman than him in WOrld cricket today.
But being from India, I don't enjoy him plundering the Indian bowling attack.
My favourite moment from Anwar's career :
When he flicked Srinath for a six over square leg and followed it up with a huge six off Kumble over
mid wicket. I just could not help admirimg those shots eventhough I was hating the fact that
it was coming from India's opponent in the match.
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 96 03:58
Message from rsabir@khi.compol.com (RIZWAN SABIR)
HE IS THE WORLD BEST OPENING BATSMEN. I LIKE HIS INNING OF 106 WHICH HE PLAYED AGAINST NEW ZEALAND IN SHARJAH. THE PAKISTAN IS MISSING SAEED ANWAR IN WORLD SERIES COMPETITION. I HOPE THAT HE WOULD BE FIT AGAIN FOR REMAINING MATCHES OF PAKISTAN STARTING FROM 1st JAN. I HOPE HE WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY HIS ENTERTAINING GAME FOR LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. GOD GIVE YOU LONG LIFE. I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD BE FIT AGAIN VERY SOON AND CONTINUE TO PLAY IN YOUR ENTERTAINING STYLE WHICH YOU ARE YOU DOING SINCE THE WHOLE SEASON.
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 96 19:36
Message from n152734@proffa.cc.tut.fi (RANA ANJUM NISAR)
Vey right decision to choose Saeed Anwar as player of November.I still
remember his early over sixes to Mcdermot and Alderman beside Srilankan
bowlers during the 1990s world series cup in Australia.
I think if he managed to score in Australia and then against
Westindies and SA in the coming home series then he will be undoubtly
king of batting leaving behind other prominet batsmen.
GA PAKISTAN GA SAEED ANWAR
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 04:39:07
Message from osiddiqu@law.harvard.edu (Osama Siddique)
My favourite is Saeed's knock against India in the World Cup Quarter Final.
Even though India set a daunting total and we (Pakistan) eventually lost
the match, Saeed made it look so achievable for some time. I remember I was
watching the match with some very close Indian friends and as long
as he was batting they were speechless. I have seen few batsmen with such sweet timing.
It's great to see him now as a permanent member of the Pak squad.I feel his best is yet to come.
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 1996 20:42:09
Message from abbas_dadabhoy@usa.racal.com (Abbas Dadabhoy)
I wasn't aware of Saeed Anwar until the Pak-India quarter final match this year.
He played such some great strokes. And then I saw him playing great innings in UK while I was visiting there.
He is the only reason that I am following cricket that closely now. Keep on scoring.
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 17:21
Message from rizwan@openix.com (Rizwan Raheel)
One of the finest batsman the game has seen. Has the all the time to play his shots. There have been many innings of sheer beauty from this master but one shot I can never forget is when he hit Craig Macdermott for a huge six straight over long on in what were the early overs of the day. This was probably on either the MSG or Adelaide Oval. Let me tell you it was quite a sight. I wish we get to see a lot more of this genius and that he is kept clear of any captainship controversies which are known to plague Pakistan cricket. Thank You Saeed Anwar for these beautiful moments in cricket.
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 12:58
Message from nijshi@hoymail.com (Mr NEERAJ SHAFFI)
SAEED ANWAR PLAYED ONE OF HIS FANTASTIC INNINGS DURING THE WORLD
CUP 96 QUATER FINALS.IN THAT PARTICULAR MATCH WHICH WAS FILLED
WITH EXITMENT.BUT THE MOST EXITMENT INNINGS OF THE MATCH WAS THE
PARTNERSHIP OF SAEED ANWAR AND AAMIR SOHAIL.ANYBODY WHO PLAYS
SUCH A MEMORABLE INNINGS HAS TO HAVE GUTS,SELF BELEAF,DESIRE TO
WIN,FIGHTING SPRIT,LOVE FOR THE GAME AND ABOVE ALL TALENT.ONLY
PLAYERS LIKE SAEED ANWAR CAN KEEP THE SPECTATORS FROM NOT
LEAVING THE GROUND AND NOT THROWING BOTTELS AND EGGS ON THE
PLAYERS.
"HATS OFF TO ANWAR THE GUTSY CHAMP"
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 96 02:34
Message from kazi@cs.purdue.edu (Saeed Ahmed Kazi)
Saeed Anwar's greatest attribute is his name (which is the same as mine) - just
joking. I have been watching great players play for 20 years and I think he is
uncomparable as far as timing of shots is concerned. The only guy close would be
David Gower but even he seemed to lack the grace of feet movement that Saeed
possesses. My greatest memory of Saeed Anwar was one shot during his innings of
126 against Sri Lanka in Australia in the 1991 World Series. Asoka De Silva, a
leg spinner was the only bowler to escape punishment from Saeed and Ramiz Raja's
onslaught. He had 8 overs for something like 25. On the 3rd ball of his 9th over
he sent down a fairly decent leg break. Yet Saeed went on the back foot to a
full length ball, turned around and pulled it over deep square leg for 6. I
still can't forget the scream that Max Walker ( the commentator ) produced.
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 96 14:00
Message from drizzt@deakin.edu.au (The Mighty Duck)
Still 89/90 World Series Cup flying backwards over the fence
catching a ball hit for six.
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 96 06:02
Message from mthaider@mail.utexas.edu (Mohammad Tauqir Haider)
I remember seeing Saeed Anwar play New Zealand in Lahore back in 1990. It was one
of the most refined one day innings I have ever seen. He completed his century
with a four towards the leg boundary in a splendid fashion. People had doubts about
his ability as a test player back then, but he has proved his caliber and class
with back to back splendid knocks in test matches silencing his critics for once
and all. I wish him all the success and hope to see even better performances from him.
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 96 01:25
Message from khan_omar@bentley.edu (omar khan)
the first time I saw Saeed Anwar, i said this guy is talented but his supposed
batting flaws will not let him succeed in test cricket. But this proved wrong
as he went on to score three consecutive centuries in Sharjah and then
destroyed New Zealand to a tune of 169 runs and got run out. From then he
has never looked back, destroying country after country. His flaws have become
his strength, the ball just outside off stump. He should not be burdened by the
captaincy if it does arise because he tended to check his stroke play in Sharjah
when Moin Khan got sick, but it seems even with the captaincy, now, he has
overcome that to destroy Sri Lanka and New Zealand. A sign of a truly great player
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 96 17:55
Message from kashif.ahmed@strath.ac.uk (kashif ahmed)
What can you say about Saeed Anwer? I wonder if the Pakistan Cricket wasted 2
years of this great talent when he was ignored in 1992 and 1993 despite a great
debut in ODI's.
My favourite knock was his 47 against India in the Quarter-final.A great
innings under pressure.Unlike the forceful Amir Sohail he played his shots with
immense calm and yet pulverized the Indian opening bowling.COOL AS A CUCUMBER!
Date: Tue, 3 Dec 96 10:40
Message from teleskolan@datorteket.kalmar.se (Majid M)
I think the best moment in his career was during the world cup 1996, and he´s
one the players who has maintained his form since than..
He is the hotest player right now. I hope he can help Pakistan win next weeks
one day matches against New Zealand.
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 96 17:24
Message from yellow@jamal.com (FARHAN ANIS)
SAEED ANWER IS A FANTASTIC BATSMAN. HIS BEST MOMENT THAT
I REMEMBER IS WHEN HE SCORED 131 RUNS ON 1ST NOV. 1993
AGAINST WEST INDIES IN THE PEPSI CHAMPIONS TROPHY IN
SHARJAH.
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 96 22:23
Message from safshaan@aol.com (Raza abbas)
No doubt, one of the best player ever came in cricket history.
I wish pakistan would have let him played since his first
start in International cricket back in 1989. It happened all
because of bad politics in pakistan. He is topic of our conversation
every night in our home. Definately he is keeping my interest in
cricket in country like USA. GOD BLESS HIM.
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 1996 03:53:12
From: Jade Dragon (ianliew@ppp.nasionet.net)
Without a doubt, the best batsman in the Pakistan side at the moment, in
my opinion even better than Salim Malik. He has a wide range of shots,
and a good temprament to match. The perfect foil for Shoaib Mohammed (if
he returns) - left hand-right hand, aggressive-defensive combo. Very
consistent, and plays well whether the rest of the team are doing well or
not. When Arfridi was slogging his way into the history books, Saeed held
Pakistan together with his own century, played to his own style. Saeed,
may your career bring you to, and past, the heights set by Javed Miandad.
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 96 18:38
Message from amnd@brain.net.pk (Asim Naveed)
I think Saeed is one the greatest cricket player of all times. I like his confidence.
I like his one inning in the one day match between Pak and New Zealand in
Sharja in Nov.96 in which he scores a century and that was a match saving
100. Well done Saeed. Keep it up and God Bless you.
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 96 16:47
Message from ATIF@BRAIN.NET.PK (MUHAMMAD ATIF RANA)
I AM THE BIG FAN OF SAEED ANWAR SINCE THE YEAR 1990 WHEN HE IS NOT POPULAR IN CRICKET ERA
I LIKE VERY MUCH HIS INNING WHICH HE PLAYED AGAINST AUSTRALIA
IN AUSTRALIA WHEN HE PUNISHED THE AUSTRALIAN BOWLERS MERV HUGES CARL RACKEMANN AND OTHERS
FOR HUGE AND BIG SIXES AND THE OTHER ONE IS AGAINST INDIA IN 1996 WORLD CUP IN QURTER FINAL
WHEN HE HIT SRINATH KUMBLE PARSAD OUT OF BOUNDARY .
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 1996 16:03:54
Message from mrahman@mem.po.com (Monawar)
I do not know the reason but I was expecting a double century from him at
the first innings of Rawalpindi test recently. Even then he has not
dissatisfied me. Thanks Saeed.
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 96 03:33
Message from osk@po.cwru.edu (Omer Shahid Khan)
My best memory of Saeed's batting was the one shot he played against Wasim Akram
in the Wills cup match. I forget who Saeed played for then whether it Agricultural
Development Bank or United Bank Limited but it was a superb shot.
Wasim pitched a short of length bouncer which was rising at Saeed's face. The
batsman just slid to the side and hooked the bouncer over third leg for a six. It was one of the best shots I
have ever seen. The shot was so quick.Wow. That was when I knew Pakistan had a
gem in the making.I wish him the best!
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Date-stamped : 13 Apr1998 - 18:39