Pakistan became a Test playing nation in 1952. Despite the fact that its cricket board at the time was extremely short on funds and resources, the cricket team between 1952 and 1958 managed to win Tests against all Test-playing countries.
Captain: AH Kardar (1952-58)
Top players: Hanif Mohammad; Fazal Mahmood; Imtiaz Ahmad; Khan Mohammad; Mehmood Husain; Waqar Hassan; AH Kardar.
Pakistan’s first national cricket captain, Mohammad Saeed. He captained Pakistan between 1948 and 1951 before Pakistan gained Test status in 1952. He was replaced by AH Kardar.
The ‘aristocratic’ AH Kardar. Though accused by some for ‘usurping’ Mohammad Saeed’s captaincy, Kardar successfully led an inexperienced Pakistan Test side.
The Pakistan team during its first ever Test series and tour. It was against India in India (in 1952).
1954: Pakistan wins its first Test against England, coming from behind to square the series 1-1.
Young fans surround Kardar for an autograph in 1954.
Pakistan’s ace swing bowler (and first cricket star), Fazal Mahmood signing an autograph for fans.
Fazal with Pakistan’s second Prime Minister, Khawaja Nazimuddin.
Maqsood Ahmad was the first Pakistani to be dismissed for 99 in a Test. He was stumped for 99 against India in 1955. He was also known as ‘Merry Max’ due to his flamboyant lifestyle.
Hanif Mohammad returning after compiling a triple century against the West Indies (in West Indies) in 1958.
Caribbean newspaper, The Gleaner, is all praise for Hanif’s triple century.
Pakistan cricket completely lost its way after Kardar’s retirement in 1958. The team played 53 Tests between 1959 and 1975, but won just 5 and lost 15.
During this period it went through eight captains: Fazal Mehmood (1958-61); Imtiaz Ahmad (1961); Javed Burki (1962); Hanif Mohammad (1964-67); Saeed Ahmad (1968); Intikhab Alam (1969-73/1974-75); Majid Khan (1973); Asif Iqbal (ODI captain 1975).
Top Players:
Hanif Mohammad; Saeed Ahmad; Mushtaq Mohammad; Majid Khan; Intikhab Alam; Asif Iqbal; Zaheer Abbas; Wasim Raja; Sadiq Muhammad; Sarfraz Nawaz.
Fazal during his first Test as captain in 1959.
Visiting US President D. Eisenhower meeting Pakistani players at Karachi’s National Stadium during the 1959 Pakistan-Australia series.
Indian captain, Nari Contractor and Pakistani skipper, Fazal Mahmood, at the toss during Pakistan’s 1960-61 tour of India.
Fazal at a party in Bombay with Indian film star, Raj Kapoor (left). During the 1960-61 series, players from both the teams were more active off the field than on it.
Pakistan and England players during England’s 1961 tour of Pakistan.
Pakistan team during its disastrous 1962 tour of England.
Hanif and Javed Burki batting in a side match during the 1962 England tour.
The troubled young Pakistan captain, Javed Burki, during the 1962 England tour.
Pakistan captain, Hanif Mohammad in the dressing room during Pakistan’s short tour of Australia in 1964.
Hanif introduces Pakistan players to the Queen of England during Pakistan’s 1967 tour of England. Pakistan did not play any Tests in 1965 and 1966.
Debutant Wasim Bari and Hanif look on as England all-rounder D. Oliveira smashes one to the boundary during the 1967 series.
Pakistan captain Saeed Ahmad in the nets during the 1968 series against England. He quit the captaincy after clashing with the cricket board.
The Mohammad brothers: Mushtaq, Hanif & Sadiq. In a 1969 Test against New Zealand in Karachi, history was created when all three were selected in the side for the 1st Test of the series.
Crowds invade the stadium in Lahore during the 1969 Pakistan-England series.
Intikhab Alam replaced Saeed Ahmad as captain in 1969.
Pakistan team arrives in London for the 1971 tour of England.
An 18-year-old Imran Khan in the nets during the 1971 England tour.
Former Marxist student leader and Pakistan opener, Aftab Gul batting with Sadiq Mohammad during the 1971 England tour.
Pakistan team arrives in Sydney to play the last Test of the 1972 Pak-Australia series.
Majid falls during Pakistan’s stunning collapse during the Sydney Test. Chasing just 158 to win, Pakistan were bundled out for 106.
New Zealand batsman Brian Hastings is bowled by Mushtaq in the 1st Test of Pakistan’s 1973 tour of New Zealand. This was the first Test which Pakistan had managed to win after 1964!
Majid on his way to smashing the first ever ODI century during Pakistan’s 1974 tour of England.
Sarfarz grabs another English wicket during the 1st Test of the 1974 tour.
Pakistani players celebrate drawing the 1974 series against a strong England side.
Pakistan fast bowler, Asif Masood, bowls in the nets at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium just before the 1975 Pakistan-West Indies series. Masood at the time was considered to Pakistan’s quickest bowler.
Pakistan’s ODI captain Asif Iqbal loses his off-stump during Pakistan’s game against Australia in the 1975 World Cup.
Flamboyant Pakistan batsman, Wasim Raja, on his way to making an aggressive fifty against West Indies during the 1975 World Cup.
Pakistan began its rise as a cricketing power from 1976 onward. As its prowess grew, in 1988 it (briefly) became the No: 1 Test side in the world and then won its first Cricket World Cup in 1992.
Pakistan had 7 captains during this period: Mushtaq Mohammad (1976-77/1978-79); Asif Iqbal (1979); Javed Miandad (1980-82/1985-86/1988;1992); Imran Khan (1982-83; 1986-88;1989-92); Zaheer Abbas (1983-84); Abdul Qadir (for 5 ODIs); Sarfraz Nawaz (for 1 ODI).
Top players: Mushtaq Mohammad; Asif Iqbal; Majid Khan; Imran Khan; Zaheer Abbas; Javed Miandad; Sarfaraz Nawaz; Sadiq Muhammad; Wasim Raja; Abdul Qadir; Iqbal Qasim; Salim Malik; Salim Yousaf; Mohsin Khan; Mudassar Nazar; Wasim Bari; Rameez Raja; Wasim Akram.
The Pakistan team during the 3rd Test of the 1976 series against New Zealand in Pakistan.
Captain Mushtaq enjoys a glass of beer in Karachi after defeating New Zealand 2-0 in 1976.
Sadiq Mohammad on his way to scoring 105 at Melbourne during the 2nd Test of the 1976 Australian tour.
Pakistan captain Mushtaq and fast bowler Imran Khan celebrate Pakistan’s series equalling win at Sydney during the 1976 Australian tour. This was the first time Pakistan defeated Australia in Australia.
The Pakistan squad during its 1977 tour of the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Haroon Rashid plays a flick shot in Karachi during the 1977 series against England.
Ian Botham smashes one during Pakistan’s 1978 tour of England.
Imran Khan downs India’s Mohindar Amarnath in Lahore during the 1978 Pak-India series.
Zaheer smashes a six to complete Pakistan’s victory in Lahore against India in the 1978 series.
Pakistan’s fast-bowling trio of the late 1970s: Sarfaraz, Imran and Sikandar.
Wasim Bari about to grab a catch off Sarfraz’s bowling during the 3rd Test of the 1979 series against New Zealand. In all, he grabbed 7 catches in an innings.
Sarfaraz bowling at Melbourne during the 1979 Pak-Australia series. He took 9 wickets in an innings in this match.
The Pakistan squad during the 1979 World Cup.
Pakistani players celebrate Imran Khan’s birthday during the 1979 tour of India.
Javed Miandad smashes the stumps with his bat after being given out LBW during Pakistan’s disastrous 1979 tour of India.
Viv Richards sweeps in Faisalabad during the 1981 Pak-WI series.
Wasim Raja pulls Lillee during the 1981 tour of Australia.
Imran and Sarfaraz at a nightclub in Melbourne during the 1981 tour.
1981: Asif Masood, Shafique Ahmad, Wasim Raja, Imran Khan, Taslim Arif and sports journalist Munir Hussain at Raja’s wedding.
One side of the poster having 4 of the 9 players who rebelled against Miandad’s captaincy in 1982. Posters such as these were set on fire by crowds in Karachi.
Pakistan celebrates after forcing England to follow-on in the 2nd Test of the 1982 series. Pakistan won the Test – its first against England in England since 1954!
Pakistan skipper Imran being interviewed with England captain, Bob Willis, at the end of the 1982 series.
Swing bowler Jalaluddin who took the first hat-trick (in ODIs) during the 1982 Pak-Australia series.
Imran coming into bowl in a Test in Karachi during the 1982-83 series against India.
Sarfaraz in action in Hyderabad during the 1982-83 series against India.
Malcom Marshal takes out Imran during the semi-final of the 1983 World Cup.
Mudassar is stumped during the 1983 series against India.
Heavy roller being applied on the wicket at Faisalabad during the 1983 series against England.
Indian wicketkeeper, S. Khana, at an ODI match in Quetta during India’s 1984 tour of Pakistan.
Pakistan captain, Zaheer Abbas, in Karachi during the 1984 series against New Zealand.
A 19-year-old Wasim Akram bowling during the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.
Newspaper report on Pakistan’s stunning victory in the final (against India) of the Australasia Cup in 1986 (Sharjah).
A poster of the 1987 Cricket World Cup which was jointly held in Pakistan and India.
Imran with a friend in 1987.
Pakistani players argue with the Indian umpire during the last Test of the 1987 Pakistan-India series (in India). Pakistan won the tense Test and the series.
Pakistan captain Imran Khan is not amused by a fielder during Pakistan’s 1987 tour of England. Pakistan won the series. It’s first ever against England in England.
1989: Legendary Pakistani pace quartet, Wasim Akram, Imran, Waqar Younus and Aquib Javed.
Wasim Akram cleans up England’s Allan Lamb during the final of the 1992 cricket World Cup. Pakistan went on to win the prestigious trophy.
Across the 1990s experts considered the Pakistan cricket team to be the most brilliantly talented Test and ODI sides in the world. However, apart from producing some outstanding talent, Pakistan cricket between 1992 and 2000 was constantly plagued by in-fighting, players’ rebellions, and, worst of all, match-fixing scandals.
The team saw the coming and going of at least 9 captains during this period: Javed Miandad (1992); Wasim Akram (1993-94/1996-97/1998-99); Salim Malik (1994-95); Rameez Raja (1993/1995); Rashid Latif (1997); Moin Khan (1997/2000); Aamir Sohail (1997-98); Saeed Anwar (1996/1997/1999); Waqar Younus (1993).
Top Players: Wasim Akram; Waqar Younus; Salim Malik; Inzimam-ul-Haq; Aamir Sohail; Aquib Javed; Shoaib Akhtar; Saeed Anwar; Muhammad Yousaf; Rashid Latif; Moin Khan; Ijaz Ahmad; Mushtaq Ahmad; Saqlain Mushtaq.
Wasim Akram tests England batsman Alec Stewart with a vicious bouncer during Pakistan’s 1992 tour of England.
The crowd invades the ground during the last ODI game of Pakistan’s 1993 tour of West Indies. It was a tense series in which some Pakistani players were arrested for smoking marijuana on a beach in Granada.
Pakistan pulls off a stunning 1-wicket win against Australia in the 1st Test (in Karachi) during the 1994 Pakistan-Australia series.
Some Australian players play street cricket with fans in Lahore during Australia’s 1994 tour of Pakistan.
Australian Shane Warne squares off with Salim Malik during Pakistan’s 1995 tour of Australia. Warne had accused Malik of trying to bribe him. Malik was eventually banned for life for match-fixing.
Aamir Sohail is cleaned up by Indian bowler Parsad during the quarterfinals of the 1996 World Cup. Pakistan lost the game.
Pakistan win the 1996 ODI tri-series in Australia.
The 17-year-old Shahid Afridi had a lot to say after smashing the fastest ODI century during a 4-nation ODI series in Kenya in 1996. His record stood for 20 years.
Security men stop Inzimam-ul-Haq from attacking an Indian spectator who was jeering him during the 1997 Pak-India ODI series in Toronto, Canada.
Saeed Anwar on his way to crack the time’s highest ODI score. He smashed 194 against India during an international ODI tournament in India.
Shoaib Akhtar bowling in the semi-finals of the 1999 Cricket World Cup. With Wasim Akram and Waqar Younas in the side, Akhtar became part of the fastest pace trio in international cricket at the time.
Saqlain Mushtaq outsmarts yet another batsman with his ‘doosra.’ The off-spinner invented this unique delivery in the late 1990s.
Akhtar cleans up star Indian batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, in Kolkata during the tense 1999 Pak-India series.
Pakistan captain, Moin Khan, protests about the fading light in Karachi during the 2000 Pak-England tour. England won the Test, chasing the target shortly after the evening sun had gone down.
England fans (‘the Barmy Army’) cheer their team at Karachi’s National Stadium during the 2000 Pak-England series.
After experiencing a brief surge under Waqar Younas’ captaincy, Pakistan cricket nosedived when the team crashed out of the 2002 World Cup. As a result many of its senior players and stars either retired or were ousted.
Under Inzimam’s captaincy, a brand new culture was introduced in the team in which religion was used to tame the team’s volatile nature and overt flamboyancy. This seemed to be working until accusations of nepotism and complacency against Inzimam began to emerge. Then, in 2007, not only was the team ejected early from that year’s World Cup, its popular coach, Bob Woolmer, suddenly passed away.
Captains: Waqar Younas (2001-2002); Rashid Latif (2003); Inzimam-ul-Haq (2003-2007); Muhammad Yousaf (2003); Younas Khan (2004/2005).
Top Players: Inzimam-ul-Haq; Muhammad Yousaf; Shahid Afridi; Shoaib Akhtar; Danish Kanaria; Abdul Razzaq; Kamran Akmal; Younas Khan; Shoaib Malik; Muhammad Asif.
Pakistani players surround an England batsman as Saqlain Mushtaq tries to spin him out during Pakistan’s successful tour of England in 2001.
Pakistan captain and fast bowler Waqar Younas clashes with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the 2002 World Cup. Pakistan crashed out of the tournament after losing most of its games.
Inzimam completes the winning run as Pakistan defeat Bangladesh in a Test in Multan in 2003. At one point it looked as if Bangladesh would win. Inzimam’s match-winning innings gained him the Pakistan captaincy.
Muhammad Sami cleans up top Indian batsman, Raul Dravid, in Lahore during the 2004 Pak-India ODI series.
England opener Alastair Cook enjoys a camel ride in Karachi during England’s 2005 tour of Pakistan.
Muhammad Yousaf pulls an England bowler in Lahore as Pakistan move towards victory in the 2005 Pak-England series.
Shahid Afridi on a flight to Australia (via Singapore) to play in the 2004-5 Pak-Australia series.
Pakistan closes in on a series-levelling win during its 2005 tour of India.
Inzi, some players and team officials saying prayers during a practice session in Lahore. Inzimam infused a heavy dose of religion into the team as a way to control its notorious volatility.
Captain Inzimam is not amused when the umpire accuses his team of ball-tempering during the 2006 Pak-England series.
The rebellious Shoaib Akhtar enjoys a pint during the 2006 Pak-England series.
Pakistan is downed by minnows Ireland during the 2007 World Cup. Inzimam retired after the debacle.
This period was perhaps the most difficult ever faced by Pakistan cricket. Spot-fixing scandals, players’ rebellions and eventually a terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team in Lahore left the country’s cricket disoriented and isolated, as foreign teams refused to visit Pakistan.
Four captains were used during this extremely troubled patch: Shoaib Malik (2007-2008); Younus Khan (2008-2009); Muhammad Yousaf (2009-2010); Shahid Afridi (2009-2010); Salman Butt (2010).
Top Players: Muhammad Yousaf; Younas Khan; Shoaib Malik; Abdul Razzaq; Shahid Afridi; Salman Butt; Muhammad Asif; Umer Gul; Umer Akmal; Misbah-ul-Haq; Muhammad Aamir; Saeed Ajmal.
Umer Gul takes out Shaun Pollack in Lahore during the 2007 Pakistan-South Africa series.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik during the final (against India) in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Shahid Afridi applauds Indian batsman, V. Shewag, during the Pak-India game of the 2008 Asia Cup in Karachi.
The Sri Lankan players being evacuated by a Pakistan Army helicopter after they were attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009.
Pakistan wins the 2009 T20 World Cup.
Younas leads his players onto the felid during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy. He resigned the captaincy after this tournament.
Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt outside a court in London. All three were handed long bans for spot-fixing during the 2010 Pak-England series.
The Pakistan women’s team in action during the 2010 Women’s T20 championship.
After the on and off-the-field debacles of the previous period, new Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq began to systematically repair the damage through a more down-to-earth, thoughtful and calm approach towards captaincy and Pakistan cricket.
Even though throughout his long captaincy Pakistan had to play all of its games abroad, it became the No: 1 Test side in 2016. Misbah then went on to become the country’s most successful Test captain and perhaps also the most respected.
He retired in February 2017 leaving behind a much improved and stable squad. In 2015 Pakistan Cricket Board’s Najam Sethi launched the country’s own premier league (PSL) which began to throw up exciting new talent. In September 2017 PCB and Sethi managed to convince a strong World IX to play in Pakistan.
Captains: Misbah-ul-Haq (2011-2017); Shahid Afridi (ODI & T20 captain: 2011-2016); Muhammad Hafeez (T20 Captain 2012); Azhar Ali (ODI Captain 2015-16); Sarfraz Ahmad (T20 Captain, 2016-current; ODI Captain, 2017-current; Possible new Test Captain).
Top Players: Misbah-ul-Haq; Younas Khan; Shahid Afridi; Muhammad Hafeez; Saeed Ajmal; Azhar Ali; Sarfaraz Ahmad; Wahab Riaz; Muhammad Irfan; Yasir Shah; Muhammad Aamir; Babar Azam; Shoaib Malik; Asad Shafique.
Younas Khan and captain Misbah during their match-saving century stand in the 2010 Pakistan-South Africa series in the UAE. For the next 7 years, both would become the two most important members of the Pakistan side.
Indian PM and the visiting Pakistani PM meet Pakistani players just before the start of the Pak-India semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.
Pakistan win the 2012 Asia Cup final in the last over of the match.
The 7ft 2 fast bowler Muhammad Irfan is congratulated during the 2012 ODI series against India (in India).
Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal takes out another England wicket during the 2012 Pak-England series in the UAE. Pakistan won the series 3-0.
The Pakistan women’s team, 2013.
Afridi smashed two sixes in the last over to defeat India during the 2014 Asia Cup.
Afridi with wife and daughters in Karachi.
Yasir Shah takes out the Australian captain during the 2014 Pak-Australia series. Pakistan won the series 2-0.
Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson square off during the 2015 World Cup.
Scenes from the opening ceremony of the inaugural 2016 Pakistan Super League.
The 42-year-old Misbah completes a century at Lords during the 2016 Pak-England series.
Aamir and Misbah with their spouses during the 2016 Australian tour.
Misbah and Younas bid farewell after defeating West Indies 2-1 in 2017.
Pakistan win the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan vs. World IX in Lahore, 2017.
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