AGL 40.40 Increased By ▲ 0.20 (0.5%)
AIRLINK 129.25 Increased By ▲ 0.14 (0.11%)
BOP 6.81 Increased By ▲ 0.21 (3.18%)
CNERGY 4.13 Increased By ▲ 0.10 (2.48%)
DCL 8.73 Increased By ▲ 0.28 (3.31%)
DFML 41.40 Increased By ▲ 0.15 (0.36%)
DGKC 87.75 Increased By ▲ 0.75 (0.86%)
FCCL 33.85 Increased By ▲ 0.50 (1.5%)
FFBL 66.40 Increased By ▲ 0.50 (0.76%)
FFL 10.69 Increased By ▲ 0.15 (1.42%)
HUBC 113.51 Increased By ▲ 2.81 (2.54%)
HUMNL 15.65 Increased By ▲ 0.42 (2.76%)
KEL 4.87 Increased By ▲ 0.09 (1.88%)
KOSM 7.62 Decreased By ▼ -0.21 (-2.68%)
MLCF 43.10 Increased By ▲ 1.20 (2.86%)
NBP 61.50 Increased By ▲ 1.00 (1.65%)
OGDC 192.20 Increased By ▲ 9.40 (5.14%)
PAEL 27.05 Increased By ▲ 1.69 (6.66%)
PIBTL 7.26 Increased By ▲ 1.00 (15.97%)
PPL 150.50 Increased By ▲ 2.69 (1.82%)
PRL 24.96 Increased By ▲ 0.40 (1.63%)
PTC 16.25 Increased By ▲ 0.01 (0.06%)
SEARL 71.30 Increased By ▲ 0.80 (1.13%)
TELE 7.25 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-0.68%)
TOMCL 36.29 Decreased By ▼ -0.01 (-0.03%)
TPLP 8.05 Increased By ▲ 0.20 (2.55%)
TREET 16.30 Increased By ▲ 1.00 (6.54%)
TRG 51.56 Decreased By ▼ -0.14 (-0.27%)
UNITY 27.35 No Change ▼ 0.00 (0%)
WTL 1.27 Increased By ▲ 0.04 (3.25%)
BR100 9,967 Increased By 125.2 (1.27%)
BR30 30,751 Increased By 714.7 (2.38%)
KSE100 93,292 Increased By 771.2 (0.83%)
KSE30 29,017 Increased By 230.5 (0.8%)

imageThe year 2016 finally comes to an end, bringing with it a list of successes and failures as Pakistan cricket enjoyed one of its most important years in recent history.

This is a chronological timeline of some of the most important events that shaped the countrys cricket this year.

Return of Amir on international stage

imageOne of the biggest news in the world of cricket was the return of Pakistans ace fast bowler Muhammad Amir to the international cricket in January.

Amir returned to international cricket amid much criticism among the cricketing world. The left-armer represented his homeland for the first time since his five year suspension for spot-fixing ended against New Zealand in a Twenty20 match.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) begins

imageMuch to the delight of Pakistani cricket lovers, the much awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) finally kicked off in February in Pakistans home away from home, UAE.

The Twebty20 tournament consisting of five teams, and featuring both national and international cricketing stars, could be considered as one of the biggest achievements by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the country finally got its very own Twenty20 cricket league.

Misbahs debut ton at the Home Of Cricket

imagePakistan Test captain Misbah ul Haq made a fairytale debut at the home of cricket, Lords in July, hitting 114 runs in the first innings, leading his side to an emphatic win, in one of the most talked about series of the year.

Misbahs push-ups frenzy grips the nation

imageAt the age of 42, Misbah became the sixth-oldest man to score a century in Tests; the veteran celebrated this feat by getting down to do a series of push-ups as a gratitude gesture at army trainers for their hard work with the team.

The push-ups celebration then took over Pakistan cricket and the nation, after sportsman, politicians, celebrities and common folk alike delve into the push-ups addiction.

Pakistan rise to No. 1 in Tests

imageThis was arguably the biggest achievement by the Pakistan Cricket team this year, after they for the very first time in history became the Number One Test side in August.

Misbah men subsequently rose to the top spot in the ICC's Test rankings dethroning India, following the latters washed out Test against West Indies in Trinidad.

Young Babar Azam in the company of greats

imagePakistani batsman Babar Azam grasped the world cricket in early October, after he achieved a rare feat of hitting three back to back centuries against the West Indies in the games 50 over format.

Azam became the third Pakistani batsman after Zaheer Abbas and Saeed Anwar and the eighth overall, to achieve this milestone.

Leggie Yasir spins his way to become fastest to 100 wkts

imageThe month of October showered its blessing to Pakistan latest spin master Yasir Shah, after he became the fastest Asian bowler and the joint second fastest of all time to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in terms of number of Tests played.

Yasir achieved this feat in his 17th Test match after he clean bowled Miguel Cummins in West Indies' first innings of the Day-night Test in Dubai.

Alis triple century in Pakistans first Day-Night Test

imagePakistans series against the West Indies in UAE proved a jackpot for the home side as it cemented its dominance in Test cricket.

Azhar Ali, who was an integral member of the team, marched to 302 not out, becoming the fourth Pakistani player to score a Test triple-hundred, and the first batsmen to achieve this milestone in Day-Night Test cricket.

Misbah dethrones Imran Khan

Misbah ul Haq enjoyed one of the greatest years as a cricket captain, after he dethroned the legendry Imran Khan to become the countrys most-capped and successful Test skipper, in November.

Misbah enjoys an impressive win record, as Pakistan have won 24 Tests, lost 16 and drawn 11, under the reins of the skipper. That outshines the next best in line Imran Khan under whom, Pakistan won only 14 matches, lost eight and drew 26.

ICC salutes Misbah, awards Spirit of the Cricket Award

imageIn the ending days of 2016, Misbah once again made the nation proud, after he became the first Pakistani to be awarded the ICC Spirit of the Cricket Award in December.

The award was presented by the cricket's governing body for Misbahs contribution towards the Pakistan cricket and inspiring them to become the Number One Test side.

Young Guns outshine the Veterans

imageThe year 2016, saw an emergence of new hotshots, as Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali proved ideal replacements for the aging Younis Khan and Misbah.

Asad Shafiq brilliant 137 against the Aussies at Gabba, just days ago led him past Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies to notch up the maximum number of centuries at the number six position. Whereas, Azhar Ali went on to prove his mantle in the ongoing MCG Test match, becoming the first Pakistani and the only overseas opener to hit a double ton at the historic venue.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2016

Comments

Comments are closed.