ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Younis was formally inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
The PCB Hall of Fame was launched in April 2021 with the sole objective to honor and celebrate the achievements of some of the greatest cricketers produced by Pakistan and to preserve the South Asian nation’s rich cricket history.
The initial nominees were six members of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Zaheer Abbas. In October 2021, they were joined by Abdul Qadir and Fazal Mahmood, who were selected by an independent voting panel.
Younis is regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers produced by Pakistan. During the 1990s, he formed a deadly pair with former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram. Known as the “Two Ws,” Younis and Akram were feared around the world for their ability to bowl at ferocious pace and bamboozle batters with reverse swing.
Reverse swing is the art of effectively swinging an old ball (one that has been used for 50 overs or so) in towards the batter rather than away from them. Younis and Akram singlehandedly won several Test matches for Pakistan based on their unmatched skill to reverse-swing an old ball.
Younis received his commemorative cap and plaque during the third Pakistan-Australia Test in Lahore, saying it was an honour for him to be counted among the greatest of the game.
“Playing for Pakistan was a dream come true and I still cherish every single moment of wearing the Pakistan colour,” he said.
“It is indeed a very proud moment for me to be placed in the same category as Abdul Qadir, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas.”
Younis took 373 Test and 416 ODI wickets. In Tests, he took 50 or more wickets against New Zealand (70), Zimbabwe (62), Sri Lanka (56), West Indies (55) and England (50). In ODIs, he took 84 wickets against Sri Lanka, followed by New Zealand (79), West Indies (60), South Africa (58), India (37), England (30), Australia (29) and Zimbabwe (23).
After retiring in April 2004, Younis turned to commentary and coaching. In March 2006, when he was appointed Pakistan's bowling coach, the former pacer was by then also a regular feature in the commentary box.
Younis has periodically served multiple stints as the bowling and head coach of the Pakistan team from 2006 till 2021.