Faisal Iqbal, a talented cricketer from Pakistan, was known for his gutsy strokeplay, solid defense, and unwavering attitude on the field. Born on December 30, 1981, in Karachi, Pakistan, Faisal is the nephew of legendary cricketer Javed Miandad, which raised eyebrows and led to accusations of nepotism when he made his entry into the national team.
Faisal showcased his worthiness for a Test cap in his debut match against Australia in Colombo in 2002-2003. With an aggressive counter-attacking innings of 83 off just 85 balls, he caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His brilliant footwork against the legendary spinner Shane Warne allowed Pakistan to seize the momentum and demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. However, he failed to replicate his outstanding performance in the rest of the series against Australia and South Africa.
Despite facing criticism, Faisal continued to perform exceptionally well at the domestic level. His consistent performances eventually paid off when he received a call-up to represent Pakistan against India in Karachi in 2005-2006 as a replacement for the injured Inzamam-ul-Haq. In the second innings of the match, Faisal scored an attractive maiden Test hundred, showcasing his signature trademark backfoot play and composed defense. This innings helped Pakistan secure a comfortable victory. He continued his impressive form in the next Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, contributing a vital 60 runs, enabling Pakistan to draw the match against a challenging opponent.
Faisal’s determination and resilience were once again on display during the Lord’s Test, where he played a key role in helping Pakistan salvage a draw on the last day of the match. His consistent batting form during this period seemed to cement his place in Pakistan’s middle order. However, fate had a different plan for him.
During the tour of Australia, Faisal was one of the few Pakistani batsmen who managed to score over 40 runs in the daunting chase of 422 in the Boxing Day Test. However, the infamous Sydney Test would prove to be his downfall. Although he was not particularly to blame, Faisal’s contribution of just 7 runs in a chase of 177 saw Pakistan suffer a devastating defeat. Sadly, this would become his last international appearance.
Though Faisal continued to excel in first-class cricket for the next nine years, accumulating over 12,000 runs, he was never able to break back into the international side. Despite coming close on a few occasions, including his inclusion in the Pakistan squad for the South Africa and Zimbabwe tour in 2013, Faisal did not get another chance to represent his country.
After retiring from professional cricket in 2018, Faisal shifted his focus to coaching. He has since served as the batting coach for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League for the past two seasons. Faisal Iqbal’s contribution to Pakistan cricket, both as a player and a coach, is a testament to his dedication and love for the game.
