ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday inducted legend player Zaheer Abbas to its Hall of Fame, recognizing the achievements of one of Asia's finest batsmen.
Dubbed as “The Asian Bradman” for his ability to score runs like the Australian great Don Bradman, Abbas remains the only batsman in Asia to score 100 first-class centuries.
Abbas, 74, received his commemorative cap and plaque from PCB chief executive Faisal Hasnain during the second Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Karachi, his home town.
"I feel humbled to have been recognized in such a respectful and honorable manner by my parent organization at my home ground, during the play of my favorite format of the game and in front of passionate cricket fans," he said during the ceremony.
Hasnain paid tribute to Abbas for his stellar batting performances.
"Zaheer Abbas played and performed in an era that boasted some of the most destructive and fearsome fast bowlers, as well as world-class spinners," he said. "He not only dominated them, with his technique and style made batting look like poetry in motion."
In his international cricket career spanning over 15 years, Abbas scored 5,062 runs in 78 Tests at an average of 44.79 with 12 centuries. He struck seven centuries in 62 ODIs while scoring 2,572 runs at an average of 47.62.
Post-retirement, Abbas had a brief stint as an ICC Match Referee when he refereed in a Test and three ODIs. He also served as a selector and team manager, and in 2015 became the third former Test cricketer after Colin Cowdrey and Sir Clyde Walcott to become an ICC President.
He is the third Pakistan cricketer to be inducted in the PCB's Hall of Fame after Fazal Mahmood and Wasim Akram.
Launched in April 2021, the objective of the PCB Hall of Fame is to recognize some of the greatest cricketers produced by Pakistan and to preserve the country's cricket history.
To be considered for the Hall of Fame, the PCB requires a player to have “an impeccable career that had a positive impact on Pakistan and international cricket” in addition to outstanding statistical records.
Inductees must be retired from international cricket for, at least, five years
The PCB Cricket Committee prepares a list for an independent voting panel. Nominations are kept secret, while an internal auditor oversees the process.
To ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest, no member of the PCB management is part of the voting panel.
