OTD | Saeed Anwar was born in 1968

Saeed Anwar, perhaps the greatest Pakistani ODI batter, was born on this day, September 6, in 1968. Anwar played for Pakistan in both Test and One-Day International forms from 1989 until 2003.

The southpaw was a regular contributor in the bowling department with his left-arm orthodox style and was well-known for his elegant batting.

Anwar, who was born in Karachi, began playing first-class cricket prior to finishing school. When he was asked to play his first ODI series against the West Indies in January 1989, he entered the world of international cricket as he gained a Test cap the very next year as a result of his instant success in ODIs.

Known for his elegant strokeplay, Anwar regaled everyone with aggressive batting, rivaling even the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya during the 1990s.

Anwar played 55 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 4052 runs an average of 45.52 with 11 centuries and a best score of 188*. However, it was the ODI format in which he shone the brightest. Anwar made 8824 runs at an average of 39.21 in 247 ODIs, scoring 20 centuries, including the best score of 194.

Anwar averaged over 40 against three of the big four countries—South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and England—while the majority of Asian batsmen have found it difficult to score in the longer format outside of Asia. 

Anwar led Pakistan in 11 ODIs and seven Test matches. He was a member of the team that placed second in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. The former Karachi cricket player led Pakistan run-scoring charts in the 1996, 1999, and 2003 World Cups.

Anwar is also part of the exclusive club of batters who scored three centuries in three consecutive matches. He achieved this feat in the 1993 Pepsi Champions Trophy in Sharjah as he scored consecutive centuries against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Anwar called time on his international career after the 2003 World Cup.

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