Tag: Viv Richards

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has revealed the name of the best batter he ever bowled to during his illustrious 17-year career.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Stick to Cricket featuring renowned England cricket legends Michael Vaughan, Sir Alastair Cook, David Lloyd, and Phil Tufnell, Akram shed light on different aspects of his cricketing career.

When asked to name the best batter he had bowled, the left-arm pacer picked former West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards.

“People ask me a lot, who was the best batsman I bowled at. I played against Sir Vivian Richards, who is top of the order for me. It’s not just his batting, it’s the whole package, his charisma he carried with him,” he said.

“There were so many – Allan Border, Graham Gooch, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara. Sir Viv Richards was at the end of his career in 1987/88, but what a character he was – he was everyone’s hero, ” Wasim Akram revealed.

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The 59-year-old also named five best cricketers he played against during his time.

“My top has to be Imran Khan for me, because of his performances for Pakistan. Viv Richards, Martin Crowe. Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar has to be in there,” he said.

“I very rarely played against the great Ricky Ponting, but in ODI cricket one cricketer who troubled me was the Australian Adam Gilchrist. ”

He also mentioned that Australia and England are the best countries for playing cricket.

“I think I have to pick two. Difficult to pick one. England is one of the best countries to play cricket in due to its rich history, excellent facilities, extensive knowledge of the game, and easy travel.

And then, of course, Australia. I remember when I was touring Australia in 1989 after the first year with Lancashire, Imran told me if you perform in this country against this country [Australia], you’ll recognize straight awa,y and that’s what
exactly happened,” Wasim Akram concluded.

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LAHORE: Emerging batter Khawaja Nafay has revealed an interesting advice he received from West Indies legend Viv Richards during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

While speaking on the sidelines of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) skill development camp, Nafay shared the experience of learning from legendary Richards.

“During the PSL, we shared his [Viv Richards] batting videos with him. I inquired about his power hitting and how he managed to play the most challenging shots with ease.

He [Viv Richards] responded that he believed in himself and his practice. If one could have confidence and a strong sense of self-belief, nothing is ever truly difficult,” Nafay remarked.

The right-hander hailing from Karachi emphasized the skill development camp, highlighting the rigorous training.

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“We wake up at 4.30 am and our session begins at 6 am. We have been learning a lot from Abdul Razzaq regarding power hitting, and playing spinners has enhanced our skill set,” he said.

“The skills camp has brought significant improvement. I’m working on power-hitting with Abdul Razzaq and also practicing extensively against spinners. We face around 800 balls a day, playing them quickly; it also strengthens our muscles. This practice will benefit us in the future,” Nafay added.

Nafey, who is a top-order batter, also reflected on his new role as a wicket-keeper, stating that international cricket nowadays demands versatility.

“I will try to continue training according to this plan even after the camp. The coaches have told me to work on my wicketkeeping as well. I’ve been advised to stay ready as a wicketkeeper too. I’m preparing myself to play according to all formats,” he concluded.

Khawaja Nafay also mentioned the learning under various coaches, noting that the coaches did not ask us to change our natural game.

“My target is to contribute to Pakistan’s success in all formats while sticking to my natural game, and the coaches have guided us to prepare well and train hard for upcoming challenges”, he concluded.

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Legendary West Indian batter and Quetta Gladiators mentor Sir Vivian Richards has hailed former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for his leadership qualities.

Sarfaraz etched his mark on Pakistan’s cricketing history by leading the national team to a glorious victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

His remarkable journey continued as he steered the Quetta Gladiators to their first-ever Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2019.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Throughout his tenure, Sarfaraz captained the Gladiators from the very first season of the PSL to its eighth. Currently, he is serving as the Team Director of Quetta Gladiators.

Sir Vivian Richards, in an exclusive conversation with a local sports platform, reflected on Sarfaraz’s legacy in Pakistan cricket and the impact he had on his teammates.

“Sarfaraz Ahmed has always been a strong captain. He led from the heart,” said Richards. “Players who served Pakistan with such dedication for years will surely be remembered on the field.”

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Looking ahead, Richards expressed optimism about Pakistan cricket’s future, saying the system must keep producing players who embody Sarfaraz’s fighting spirit.

“As we move forward, I hope we continue to find players who carry Sarfaraz’s kind of passion,” he added.

When asked about Quetta Gladiators’ current skipper Saud Shakeel, Richards acknowledged the young left-hander’s journey as a leader.

“Saud Shakeel is still a young captain and is currently learning,” Richards said.

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