It is a dream of any cricketer to play a Test match for their country. Many players have represented their respective nations in the longest and the most demanding format. However, only a few of them have done it for a significant period. Here, in this article, we look at some of the longest-serving Pakistan cricketers in Test cricket and their records in the most demanding format.
1. Javed Miandad (124 MATCHES)
Javed Miandad, one of the most magnificent Pakistani batters of all time, tops the list of the longest-serving Test cricketers for Pakistan. Miandad played his first Test match in 1976 against New Zealand and played his last match in 1993 against Zimbabwe. He got to represent Pakistan in 124 Test matches. During his Test tenure, he amassed 8832 runs at an incredible average of 52.57. He has also made 23 centuries in his Test career, the fourth highest for any Pakistani batter.
2. Inzamam Ul Haq (119 MATCHES)
Next, we have Inzamam-ul-Haq, a Pakistan veteran and a great leader. He represented Pakistan in Test cricket from 1992 to 2007 in a staggering 119 matches. Known for his sublime timing and stroke play, Inzamam was indeed Pakistan’s best batter during the 90s. He scored 8829 runs at an average of over 50 including 25 hundred. His best score of 329 is the highest for any Pakistani batter in the longest format of the game.
3. Younis Khan (118 MATCHES)
Younis Khan, a record-breaker and a reliable middle-order batsman for Pakistan, is third on the list. Throughout his Test career, he was known as the backbone of Pakistan's batting line-up (2000–2017). Younis Khan's solid technique and temperament allowed him to compete on the international stage for 18 years. He is the only Pakistani batter to have scored 10,000 runs in Test cricket and also has the highest number of hundreds with 34 to his name.
4. Wasim Akram (104 MATCHES)
It would be incorrect to talk about Pakistan cricket and not mention Wasim Akram. He is undoubtedly one of the best fast bowlers from Pakistan, whom they have had many. Wasim’s Test career spanned from 1985 to 2002, during which he played 104 matches and took 414 wickets at an average of 23.92 and an economy of 2.59. Besides this, he also has close to 3000 Test runs with the best score of 257.
5. Saleem Malik (103 MATCHES)
Next, we have Saleem Malik, a naturally gifted player from Lahore. Known for his strong square-of-the-wicket play, Saleem went on to dominate some of the best bowlers of his time. From 1982 to 1999, he represented Pakistan in Test cricket and played 103 matches, scoring 5768 runs at an average of 43.69. He also scored 19 Test centuries, the sixth highest for a Pakistani batter.
6. Azhar Ali (95 MATCHES)
The next name on the list is Azhar Ali, a solid top-order batter for Pakistan with great technique and aptitude for Test matches. In 2010, Azhar Ali played his first Test match against Australia and was considered a successor to Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf. Till now, he has played 95 Test matches and scored 7030 runs at an average of 42.60, with 19 centuries to his name.
7. Mohammad Yousuf (90 MATCHES)
Mohammad Yousuf is one of Pakistan's most graceful and elegant batters of all time. Yousuf made his Test debut against South Africa in 1998 and played his final match against England in 2010. In 90 Test matches, he scored 7530 runs at an average of 52.29, including 24 hundred and the highest score of 223. One thing was sure about Mohammad Yousuf's batting: if you couldn't get him out in the first few overs, you couldn't get him out all day. He loved to bat, bat long, and score runs.
8. Imran Khan (88 MATCHES)
Next, we have the world cup-winning captain of Pakistan and a former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. He started his Test career in 1971 and played until 1992. Considered one of the best all-rounders of the 80s, Imran Khan became a revolutionary player for Pakistan, helping them reach unprecedented heights. Under his leadership, Pakistan became one of the most competitive and best teams of that time. In 88 matches, he took 362 wickets at an average of 22.81 and also amassed 3807 runs with his batting at an average of 37.69.
9. Waqar Younis (87 MATCHES)
Next on the list is Waqar Younis, one of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers. The Waqar-Wasim duo was the most challenging bowling combination for any batter to face. Waqar Younis was a master of the reverse swing and one of the fastest of his generation. Between 1989 and 2003, he appeared in 87 Test matches and took 373 wickets at an average of 23.56. However, if it hadn't been for his injuries, we could have seen much more from him.
10. Wasim Bari (81 MATCHES)
Wasim Bari, one of Pakistan’s all-time best wicketkeepers, features next on the list. Bari played 81 Test matches for Pakistan and scored a mere 1366 runs, but this is not why he was in the team. Bari was known to be one of the safest wicketkeepers and had the trust of his captain and the team. He was in the team as a specialized wicketkeeper and had 228 dismissals to his name, the most for any Pakistani wicketkeeper to date.
