Javed Miandad - A true cricketing character

Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad is one of the few players to have made his debut in the World Cup. That was back in 1975 against England where he scored 24. Since then, his 33 World Cup appearances have been spread over six World Cups including the victorious campaign on 1992.

In 33 matches in World Cups, he scored 1083 runs and stands second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time top run scorers at World Cups. This record, though, will almost certainly be overtaken by Australia's Ricky Ponting this time. Miandad's only century in the World Cup came against Sri Lanka in 1987 but he has more than played his part in ensuring the Pakistan was one of the main contenders when he was around.

The 1992 campaign would be one his best when he, along with Imran Khan, got Pakistan out of many a sticky situation en route their triumph. With four half-centuries and a top score of 89 in that edition, he more than played his part in taking Pakistan all the way.

Always outspoken, Miandad had a special performance saved whenever he played India. But in World Cups, he could not always bring it out. The man who's six off the last ball tormented India for decades managed scores of only 40 (1992) and 38 (1996) in the two matches he played against his neighbours in the World Cup. The 1996 quarter-final also marked the end of his 20-year career when he criticised the Pakistan team management for not heeding his advice. Typical Miandad, some would argue!

Javed Miandad
One of the strongest memories of Javed Miandad in the World Cup is his mocking of Kiran More in the 1992 encounter between the subcontinental rivals. More had a habit of jumping and appealing and on one such over-enthusiastic occasion, Miandad mocked him on the ground. But More had the last laugh as Miandad ended up on the losing side.

Miandad's time as one of the leading batsmen for Pakistan was full of good results and his performance in the 1992 final against England when he paired with captain Imran Khan to forge a 139-run partnership would perhaps be the crowning moment. Their partnership pushed the Pakistan score along to 249 and gave them a good chance of taking home the cup.

Miandad was also coach of the Pakistan team in their 2003 campaign but could not break the jinx of losing to India at World Cups. Nonetheless, his contribution was invaluable as Pakistan made it to the Super Six stage.

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Performance in ODIsOverallWorld Cup
Matches23333
Debut June 11, 1975 v West IndiesJune 11, 1975 v West Indies
Batting and Fielding Records
Innings 218 30
Not Outs415
Runs73811083
Average41.743.32
Strike Rate 67.00 67.9
Highest Score119* v India103 v Sri Lanka
Hundreds81
Fifties508
Catches7110
Bowling Record
Overs6422
Maidens32
Runs29773
Wickets74
Average 42.4318.25
Economy 4.083.32
Best Figures2/22 v Sri Lanka2/22 v Sri Lanka
5wk 0 0




Published on Mar 8, 2007