Pakistan is a proud nation when it comes to achievements in cricket. A land where the fast bowlers are born to play. The country won the 1992 World Cup under the legendary captain Imran Khan. The Babar Azam-led team currently is playing the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and is also the co-host of the tournament. After the glory in the 2017 Champion’s trophy, where they beat their arch-rivals India, the nation awaits their next ICC trophy. The captains of a nation like Pakistan have always led by example and here we look at the top 10 skippers with the most runs in the test for Pakistan.
1. Misbah-Ul-Haq
Misbah-Ul-Haq was one of the most prolific batsmen and captain for Pakistan. Born in Punjab, he was a right-handed batter. He made his test debut in 2001 against New Zealand. After being appointed as captain in 2010, he continued his stint as a captain until 2017. In these seven years, he led the team in 56 matches and scored 4214 runs at an unbelievable average of 51.39. He was always an integral part of the team before retiring from international cricket in 2017.
2. Imran Khan
Imran Khan is considered one of the best captains of Pakistan. Born in Lahore in 1952, Imran was a former all-rounder for his team. His heroics in the 1992 World Cup made sure that Pakistan won the trophy. His all-round abilities would usually take the game away from opponents. Not just his reverse swing, but his bat swing was also something to cherish. He scored 2408 runs at an average of 52.35 during his captaincy tenure. He led the team for ten years in which he played 48 matches as captain.
3. Inzamam-Ul-Haq
One of the hardest hitters of the ball, Inzamam-Ul-Haq led the team in 31 matches. Born in Multan in 1970, the right-handed batter made his debut vs England in 1992. He was appointed with captaincy duties in 2001 and continued till 2007. During his tenure as a captain, he scored 2397 runs at an average of 52.11. The former skipper retired from international cricket in 2007 and remains one of the most famous cricketers.
4. Javed Miandad
Born in Karachi in 1957, Javed Miandad was one of the best batsmen in the cricketing world. The former Pakistan cricketer made his test debut against New Zealand in 1976. He won quite a few games for his country single-handedly. He led the team from 1980- 1993. In these 13 years, he played 34 matches as captain and scored 2354 runs at an average of 50.09. Miandad was one of the most fearless batters and played with an aggressive intent.
5. Babar Azam
Babar Azam is currently the captain of Pakistan in all three formats. He is leading his team in the Asia Cup held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. After Sarfaraz Ahmed, Babar has defined new standards for Pakistan both as a captain and a batter. Under his captaincy, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in a T20I World Cup in 2021 in Dubai. The top-order batter, born in Lahore, is one of the best in the world. He was appointed as the test captain in 2021 and has led his team in 20 matches. Till now, he has scored 1727 runs at an average of 50.79.
6. Younis Khan
Younus Khan was a former right-handed middle-order batsman for Pakistan. Born in 1977, the batter made his test debut against Sri Lanka and scored a fighting century which unfortunately ended in a losing cause. Given the captaincy duties in 2005, the player went on to lead the team for 9 matches in the format. He scored 782 runs in those matches at an impressive average of 55.86. He announced his international retirement after the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicket-keeper batter for Pakistan in tests and a former captain was born in 1987 in Karachi. The player made his debut for the country in 2010 against the mighty Australians. There were struggles initially for the WK batter but soon he was appointed the responsibility of leading the team. He led the team in the longest format from 2017-2019. During his tenure as captain, he played 13 matches and scored 568 runs at a mediocre average of 25.82. After a patch of continuous failures, he was sacked from the captaincy and Babar was appointed as the next captain. The WK batter made a roaring comeback in a home test series against Australia earlier this year and scored consecutive centuries in two matches.
8. Zaheer Abbas
The right-handed batter was born in 1947 in Punjab during the tough times of Partition. His run-making ability earned him the name “Asian Bradman.” He scored 274 against England in Edgbaston and silenced those who doubted his batting technique. This was not it as he hammered 240 at the Oval in the same year. As a captain, the batter scored 773 runs at an average of 45.47. He led the team in 14 matches and has 100 first-class centuries to his name. Out of his twelve test centuries, six came against the arch-rivals India.
9. Azhar Ali
One of the best test batters for Pakistan, a complete run machine, was born in Lahore in 1985. The right-handed batter made his test debut against Australia in 2010 at the home of cricket, the Lord’s. A perfect example of grit and determination, Azhar was a top-order batsman. His tenure as captain includes nine matches from 2016 to 2020. He has scored 519 runs at an average of 37.07.
10. Moin Khan
Moin Khan was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab. The right-handed batter made his test debut in 1990 against the West Indies. He was also a wicketkeeper and a pretty good batter. Appointed with the responsibility of captaincy in 1998, he scored 438 runs at an average of 27.38. His captaincy stint came to an end in 2001 before he retired in 2004.
