Zaheer Abbas: Player Profile of Pakistan’s “Asian Bradman”
Profile of Zaheer Abbas, the elegant Pakistan batter and Gloucestershire stalwart who scored 108 first-class centuries.
Early life and rise
Zaheer Abbas was born in 1947 in Sialkot, Pakistan. He rose through domestic cricket in Karachi and made his Test debut for Pakistan in 1969 against New Zealand. His elegant strokeplay soon marked him out as one of the most exciting batters in the country.
Playing style
Zaheer was a graceful, wristy right-hander who wore spectacles and was renowned for his timing and the ease with which he scored. He was especially strong off his legs and through the covers. His ability to convert starts into huge scores became his trademark, and it earned him the nickname the “Asian Bradman”.
Career highlights
His breakthrough came in 1971 when he scored 274 against England at Edgbaston, an innings that announced him on the world stage. He went on to play 78 Tests for Pakistan.
Zaheer spent many years with Gloucestershire, where he became one of the most prolific batters in English county cricket. He is among the few players to have scored 100 first-class centuries, finishing with 108 hundreds, and he is famous for scoring a double century and a century in the same match several times.
He also captained Pakistan and was a regular in the one-day side. He retired from international cricket in 1985.
Legacy
Zaheer is remembered as one of the finest batters Pakistan has produced and a cult figure at Gloucestershire. His relentless run-scoring in English conditions earned him lasting admiration from both Pakistani and English supporters. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2020, a recognition of a career defined by elegance, consistency and a remarkable appetite for big scores.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Zaheer Abbas called the “Asian Bradman”?
He earned the nickname for his habit of converting starts into very large scores, particularly in first-class cricket.
How many first-class centuries did Zaheer Abbas score?
He scored 108 first-class centuries.
Which English county did Zaheer Abbas play for?
He played for Gloucestershire for many seasons.