Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani, commonly known as Zaheer Abbas, was a prominent cricket player from Pakistan. Born on July 24, 1947, in Sialkot, Punjab, he quickly rose to prominence as one of the most elegant and stylish batsmen of his era. His graceful and fluent batting style captivated audiences and earned him the nickname “Asian Bradman,” a comparison to the legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman.
Zaheer’s batting technique was characterized by precision, timing, and exceptional footwork. With a high back-lift and powerful yet supple wrists, he effortlessly guided the ball into the gaps on both sides of the wicket, racking up boundaries with ease. His innings were marked by finesse, artistry, and an unparalleled ability to score runs. When in full flow, he appeared as a maestro at work, leaving spectators and connoisseurs of the game in awe.
Zaheer’s international career took off in 1971, during a Test match against England at Edgbaston. In only his second Test, he silenced critics who doubted his ability to handle the seaming ball by scoring an outstanding double century of 274 runs. This innings not only established him as a world-class batsman but also set the stage for a remarkable international career.
Known for being a loyal player, Zaheer spent his entire county cricket career representing Gloucestershire. He consistently accumulated runs year after year, often surpassing the 1,000-run mark per season. In 1976, he had a glorious season, amassing a staggering 2,544 runs, followed by another impressive tally of 2,305 runs in 1981.
In addition to his remarkable performances in county cricket, Zaheer made his mark in international cricket as well. Despite missing two rubbers against England due to his involvement in the Kerry Packer World Series Cricket, he returned to the Pakistan team and delivered outstanding performances against India in 1978-79. During this series, he dismantled India’s renowned spin quartet, scoring a world-record 583 runs in just three innings.
Zaheer’s appetite for runs knew no bounds, and he became the first and only Asian cricketer to score a century of centuries in first-class cricket. In fact, he achieved the extraordinary feat of scoring a century in each innings on eight separate occasions, a world record. Four of these instances involved double centuries.
His hundredth century, a double century against India in the 1982-83 Lahore Test, further solidified his legendary status. Zaheer continued to excel in that series and followed up his milestone century with two more Test hundreds.
Despite a desire to continue playing one-day cricket after retiring from Test matches, Zaheer’s career drew to a rather abrupt end. He opted out of his farewell Test match against Sri Lanka in 1985-86, citing dissatisfaction with senior players and indirectly blaming Imran Khan, the captain at that time. However, it is widely acknowledged that Zaheer deserved a better send-off for his outstanding contributions to the game.
Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani’s legacy as an elegant and masterful batsman lives on. He remains an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and his remarkable records and achievements continue to be celebrated in the world of cricket.
