10 promising Pakistani cricketers who failed to live up to their potential

Pakistan has been blessed with cricketing talent in abundance, but has also been plagued with either that talent fizzling-out too soon or cases of premature retirement for various reasons (not in good books of selectors, match-fixing or consumption of banned drugs). ‘Stability’ has been the biggest headache for the Pakistani team for decades now.

So much is expected from the 1992 WC winners. A nation that produced Zaheer Abbas, who probably had the best batting technique then. Who can forget the last ball six by ‘the ultimate fighter’ Javed Miandad? Then the world saw the inception of reverse-swing by the deadly duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. This was the team that once produced a Saeed Anwar, the artist who wielded the willow. It was a Pakistani named Saqlain Mushtaq, who bowled the ‘doosra’ (the away going ball bowled by an off-spinner). Not to talk of Abdul Qadir, the leg spin magician and last but not the least the charismatic leader Imran Khan who inspired a whole generation.

Amidst all the glory, and all the natural talent, they also produced players oozing with talent and promise, who shone quickly on the international scene ---but only to fizzle out even quicker. Here are they:

Hasan Raza:

Hasan Raza today is an unknown property

At the age of 14 years and 227 days, Hasan Raza supposedly became the youngest cricketer to take the field representing his nation. He was young and the world was in total disbelief to see a ‘baby boy’ take on lethal pacemen from across the world with utmost ease. Two years after his entry into the national side he suddenly vanished, only to resurface in 2002, for a brief stint. Today, the irony is that very few even know him. A living example of how natural talent was not nurtured well.

Imran Nazir:

He impressed everyone at the age of 18

What a talent! He was aggressive, dynamic and a perfect recipe for entertainment. He loved to go aerial and could take on the biggest names in the fraternity. Soon, form became an issue and lack of support from the coaching staff, saw his early exit. A promising career came to an early fullstop.

Salman Butt:

A career that was supposed to end with laurels, ended with tears

He broke into the international cricketing scene with a bang. Salman took over the opener’s mantle well from his predecessors Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail. The team management were looking for long-term opening solutions post the 2003 World Cup. Salman showed promising signs early on but disappeared soon. He got lured into the betting world, and we all know what happened after that.

Yasir Hameed:

Despite scoring two hundreds in his very first Test, Yasir failed to deliver on the long run

This is the unfortunate story of probably the ‘biggest casualty’ to Pakistan cricket.

He was young, reeking with talent, a different kettle of fish altogether. He slammed back-to-back tons in his first two innings of his first Test match, but soon developed a tendency of gifting his wicket away after getting decent starts.

He was young, and it appears that more communication with the youngster by seniors was required and persisting with him then would have produced dividends today. It was a classic case of ‘talent going astray’.

Imran Farhat:

Imran Farhat showed a lot of promise initially

Like Salman Butt, it was felt that Imran Farhat was the answer to Pakistan’s opening woes. He showed immense spark early on, instilling faith among his fans. Calm in his approach, Imran was a marvelous timer of the ball. Like most sub-continental batsman, he maintained good balance against spinners.

But today, he is not even in contention of being selected anytime soon. It’s not that his chances of getting selected is ruled out forever, but he has not been in the reckoning for quite sometime now. Here again, the management of the team should be blamed for not showing faith in his ability and trusting him.

Taufeeq Umar:

Taufeeq Umar – Another talented opener who failed to impress

Another name that comes to one’s mind is Taufiq Umar. A batsman who showed promise, who had oodles of talent –but circumstances led him to fizzle away sooner than later. He opened alongside the legendary Anwar in the 2003 World Cup when he was just 21 years old.

But, he too like the other opening batsmen, failed to cash in on the slot that was up for grabs.

Danish Kaneria:

Kaneria was Pakistan’s lead spinner for a while

The good old classical leg-spinner, always reminded you of Mushtaq Ahmed, with his exaggerated jump. Kaneria had promised a lot early on, taking scores of wickets. It seemed he had a successful career in the waiting and everything was hunky-dory. That is when all-hell broke loose and he like many other former Pakistani cricketers got in the betting racket. He is currently serving a life ban.

Mohammed Asif:

What a breathtaking prospect! The world wowed when he ran in to bowl, such was his powers.

Asif was at his peak when the spot-fixing controversy erupted

This Pakistani was just starting to stamp his authority on the game, when he got sucked into the big bad betting world and destroyed his career, breaking millions of hearts.

During the 90’s, Pakistan cricket was at its peak. There were the Imran Khans, the Akrams and the Waqars who got the entire world in a tizzy with their usage of the old ball. Some real good Pakistani fast bowlers were coming up at that time, but they could not make it big, despite the talent they had, because they were born in an era of legends.

For example, Stuart McGill may have been one of the world’s greatest leg spinners, if he was not born in an era when Shane Warne ruled the roost. For every Ata-ur-Rahman, Aamir Nazeer and Kabir Khan, there was a Mohammed Akram and a Fazl-e-Akbar to throw a challenge. But sadly, despite all of these talented crop having represented the nation, none could make a long time mark.

Fazl-e-Akbar:

Fazl-e-Akbar couldn't make it big

Of this extended crop, Fazl-e-Akbar was special. He was always there and there about playing under the shadow of greats and fading away too soon. He was considered to be extremely talented. Unfortunately today, his story is not as inspiring as he failed to make use of his chances.

It goes without saying that Pakistan has contributed a lot to the world of bowling. From swinging the old ball, to reverse swinging yorkers to the discovery of ‘doosra’, all of them were contributions from Pakistani bowlers. But time and again, bowlers from Pakistan threw away opportunities that came their way, and more often than not by their irresponsibility.

Shoaib Akhtar:

How come Akhtar played just 46 Tests will remain a mystery

This choice could be debatable and may have stirred you up. He was that supreme talent who had the potential of being one of the best of all time, but left something to be desired. Surely he achieved a lot and the world took notice. No doubt, he earned a name for himself as the ‘fastest bowler in the world’.

But did he manage to take even half the number of wickets that he was expected to, or rather had the potential to take? His body mechanics were different – a really long run up, tearing in to bowl, open-chested delivery action, and a heavy follow through. With the kind of talent that he possessed, he should have played at least a 100 Test matches especially since he played for 13 years, but he ended up with just 46 Tests to his name.

A skilled team was required to scientifically understand his body dynamics and take care of it accordingly. Circumstances played a major role in the premature retirement of the ‘Rawalpindi Express’. Though he will always be remembered and loved, but the world did not get enough of him, and that will forever hurt the true cricket fan.

Pakistan Cricket has seen it all -- the good, the bad and the ugly. We as lovers of the ‘Imran-era’, would love to see Pakistani cricket come out of the shambles and revive old glory --- setting aside petty differences, nurturing talent which they amply possess, and getting their administration and selection procedure right.