Pakistan is known for its abundant culture. Whenever we talk about cricket as a sport, Pakistan’s name is always remarkable, and cricket has always been extremely loved by school-going children to senior citizens. Pakistan is considered one of the best and most passionate cricketing nations. The significant success of Pakistani cricket was back in 1992 to 2002. In 1992 Pakistan won the first ODI World Cup, and in 2009 came out the top in the T20l World Cup. From that particular time, people became crazy about the cricketers. Cricketers hold an enormous place in the heart of the public, and they also play their role very well from their side, whether it’s game or showering love towards fans. In this article, we will delve into the world of Pakistani cricket and explore the top 10 openers of Pakistan who have added an enduring mark in the history of cricket.
1. Saeed Anwar
He is known for his incredible performance as an opening batsman for Pakistan. His batting style, timing, and shot placements are encouraged by cricket lovers worldwide; He played 274 matches and scored 8824 runs in ODI. In 1997 he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year; he was the first Pakistani batsman who scored a century against India in a one-day match on India’s soil. He was also a member of an exclusive club of batsmen who scored three successive hundred in ODI.
2. Aamer Sohail
He is one of the most prominent players in history, famous for his aggressive left-handed opening batsman. His big moment was when the Pakistani cricket team won the biggest cricket tournament in the world. At that time, he was an essential team member and gave the best performance on his scale, which won the 1992 cricket world cup in Australia and New Zealand. He still gets praised for his achievements.
3. Imran Farhat
The legendary left-handed opener who used to catch the eyeballs of the public, young opener proved that age is just a number. He made his senior debut in a one-day match for Karachi City while he was 15 years old. His international cricket career started in 2003, played 57 Test matches and 197 ODIs for Pakistan. In ‘The International innings,’ he usually opened the batting. He played in an ODI- only series against New Zealand, which Pakistan won 5–0. Farhat made three fifties along with his second international century, ending with 348 runs, a batting average of 69.60.
4. Shahid Afridi
Fan’s hearts used to skip a beat with the name of Shahid Afridi whenever he came on the cricket ground for batting; he used to be full of fire and passion and gave a fantastic start to the match as an opener multiple times. He played 145 successful innings and scored 3543 runs as an opener for Pakistan. This man can turn the match in his favor with his batting techniques. His name carries an unmatchable aura. His talent was limitless. No one could beat the position where he stands; he has created many cricketing records in his career.
5. Saleem Elahi
He left a mark on his International debut, becoming the first player from Pakistan to score a century against Sri Lanka in 1995 in ODI as an opener. He was a batsman who efficiently used his techniques to score well in the matches. He represented Pakistan between 1995 to 2003 and was the consistent opener for Pakistan. In 84 matches he scored 2597 runs and six centuries in his international career.
6. Yasir Hameed
Yasir Hameed, the magnificent opener of Pakistan, was the second player ever to score two centuries on his test debut against Bangladesh. He scored the first 1000 ODI runs in just 22 matches, and he, possessed unique elegance and power. He used to be recognized for his quick running, powerful hitting, and stabilizing the team with his fantastic batting. He came out with flying colors in many Pakistan matches and set many records during his prime.
7. Taufeeq Umar
His stability in the match was admirable, and he played an influential role in setting the platform for the team’s batting innings as an opener. He displayed a solid batting technique and showed the potential to occupy the crease for long periods. In his Test career, he scored 2,943 runs, including seven centuries and 11 half-centuries. His highest score in Test cricket was an impressive 236 runs; his strength as an opener was to convert his start into big scores.
8. Mohammad Hafeez
The versatile personality of Mohammad Hafeez is unbeatable. He is commonly known by the name “professors”. He scored 3453 as an opener for Pakistan, which is achievable. His career highlights include several notable performances. He has scored 6,614 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and has also been a part of the achievement of Pakistan teams in major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy and representing Pakistan in Test cricket and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as well.
9. Ahmed Shahzad
Shahzad made a first-class debut in 2007. He holds a place as a well-known opener for Pakistan and showed his talent in Pakistan cricket between 2009 and 2017, playing 41 Test matches. He has done 40+ test averages for Pakistan Cricket Team with the help of 3 hundred and three half centuries. He has scored 147 runs against Sri Lanka in a Test match. In his career, he scored 2,605 runs in ODI and 1471 runs in Test matches. He is the nation’s first T20 century-maker against Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup. He is appreciated and respected for his meritorious services.
10. Fakhar Zaman
His contribution as an opener for Pakistan has been noteworthy. His adeptness to score quick runs and provide inflammable starts has made him a valuable asset in limited-overs cricket. He played his 70 innings as an opener and scored 3148 runs. With his attacking approach and magnificent performances, he has earned a place among prominent openers in recent years. One of his most unforgettable performances was in the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy against India. He played a ferocious knock of 114 runs off 106 balls, helped Pakistan to achieve a formidable total, and eventually won the match.
