Azhar Mahmood

Azhar Mahmood
اظہر محمود

Personal information
Full name	Azhar Mahmood Sagar
Born	28 February 1975 (1975-02-28) Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right arm fast-medium
Role	All-rounder
International information
National side	Pakistan
Test debut (cap 146)	6 October 1997 v South Africa
Last Test	4 June 2001 v England
ODI debut (cap 108)	16 September 1996 v India
Last ODI	17 March 2007 v Ireland
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2012–present	Kings XI Punjab
2008–present	Kent (squad no. 11)
2002–2007	Surrey
2006–2007	Habib Bank Limited
1993–2007	Islamabad
1998–2005	Rawalpindi
2001–2002	PIA
1995–1997	United Bank Limited
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	FC	LA
Matches	21	143	155	281
Runs scored	900	1521	6,635	3,789
Batting average	30.00	18.10	31.44	21.05
100s/50s	3/1	0/3	9/33	2/14
Top score	136	67	204*	101*
Balls bowled	3015	6242	25,882	12,473
Wickets	39	123	536	304
Bowling average	35.94	39.13	25.05	31.56
5 wickets in innings	0	3	22	5
10 wickets in match	0	n/a	3	n/a
Best bowling	4/50	6/18	8/61	6/18
Catches/stumpings	14/–	37/–	126/–	83/–
Source: Cricinfo, 18 October 2009

Azhar Mahmood Sagar (Urdu: اظہر محمود ساگر; born February 28, 1975) is a Pakistani cricketer. Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 90’s. When not doing net practice, Azhar would fancy himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home.

Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996, but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed. He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.

He joined the Pakistani team primarily as a medium pacer but he has surprised many by his batting prowess. His hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have also been extremely useful in the one-day game. Unlike most Pakistani pacers who are swing bowlers, he is a useful English-style seam bowler, who can chip in with wickets in time of need.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain - not based on seniority alone - and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected. Later - in front of some senior players - he told Azhar Mahmood that he will be the next Pakistan captain. Together they would plan the future strategy. But till now this never came to happen.^{[citation needed]}

Azhar has played county cricket for Surrey and in November 2007 signed a two year deal to play for Kent.

He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007, but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced. He was however recalled to go with the squad to the West Indies after a knee injury to Abdul Razzaq. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup.

However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar did not get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad. Following his exclusion, Mahmood returned to playing county cricket in UK. Over the years, due to his constant exclusion from the Pakistani squad and the fact that he has crossed the 30 year mark in his age, it seems that Mahmood is not as interested in returning to Pakistani line up as he once was. His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up means that his chances for making a return to the national squad are very limited. He has recently signed with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has been released from his central contract.

Recently he has received British citizenship, thus allowing him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan side.

It was announced that Mahmood would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.

In the 4th February, 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000.

Trivia

Wisden in 2001 included Azhar Mahmood's innings of 132 for Pakistan v South Africa at Durban in 1997-98 as the 8th Best Test Innings of All Time in its list of Wisden 100. It mentioned - "South Africa's pace attack had more depth than at any other time in their history: Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock supported by Fanie de Villiers and Lance Klusener. No surprise that Pakistan were put in to bat on a treacherous pitch -- or that they should be reduced to 89 for 5. Salvation came in the form of a 22-year-old allrounder who seemed to be batting too low at No.7: his century was already his third in six Test innings against South Africa. Tucking into a great pace bowler like Donald, he scored 96 runs in boundaries while proving himself an expert shepherd of a tail: he made 90% of Pakistan's last 106 runs. They went on to win a low-scoring match by 29."

References

Titans of Cricket, October 2011 - across the UK in Manchester and Birmingham, with the grand finale in London's O2 Arena.

External links

• Cricinfo article on Azhar Mahmood