Pakistani Cricket Players: Abdul Razzaq

Abdul Razzaq Biography

Source(google.com.pk)
Abdul Razzaq was once rapid enough to open the bowling and remains composed enough to bat anywhere, though he is discovering that the lower-order suits him nicely. His bowling - the reason he was first noticed - is characterised by a galloping approach, accuracy, and reverse-swing. But it is his batting that is more likely to win matches. He boasts a prodigious array of strokes and is particularly strong driving through cover and mid-off off both front and back foot. He has two gears: block or blast. Cut off the big shots and Razzaq gets bogged down, although patience is his virtue as he demonstrated in a match-saving fifty against India in Mohali in 2005. Just prior to that he had also played a bewilderingly slow innings in Australia, scoring four runs in over two hours. When the occasion demands it though, as ODIs often do, he can still slog with the best of them: England were pillaged for a 22-ball 51 at the end of 2005. and then again for nearly 60 runs in the last three overs of an ODI in September the following year.
Abdul Razzaq fast to open the bowling and is integrated enough to strike anywhere, although it is finding that the demands of lower order of good manners. His bowling - why was observed for the first time - is characterized by a galloping approach, precision, and reverse swing. But it's his batting that is more likely to win games.

He has a prodigious wide strokes and is particularly strong driving through the roof and half were from outside the front and back foot. He has two speeds: Block or explosion. Cut the fat cats and Razzaq stagnates, but patience is a virtue as demonstrated in a fifty-saving match against India in Mohali in 2005. Just before he had also played a surprisingly slow shift in Australia, scoring four runs over two hours.

When the occasion arises, though, as often ODIs, you can still slog with the best of them: England, were ransacked by a 22-ball 51 in late 2005. and then again for almost 60 runs in the last three overs of an ODI in September the following year.He is also one of Pakistan's most effectual hitters of the cricket ball. Razzaq turned out to be a regular member of his national side during the 1999 world cup held in England where he showed his real talent with his batting and bowling. A glittering century from the all-rounder Abdul Razzaq allowed Pakistan to level the one-day series with South Africa 2010 in Abu Dhabi, UAE at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium where he scored unbeaten 109 runs. Razzaq's lower order demolition also became obliging for his domestic team the Lahore Lions as he scored 138 runs from his four innings including a superb 73 not out in the final to help direct his team to win in the 2010-11 Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup. He is one of 53 players, including 8 who have represented Pakistan, who have attained the double of 1,000 Test runs and 100 Test wickets. He is the youngest bowler to take a hat-trick, against Sri Lanka in 2000, at the age of 20 and has batted at every position from an opener to No.11. He played 46 test matches in which he scored 1946 runs with batting average of 28.61 including 3 100’s and 7 50’s. His highest score is 134. In bowling, he took 100 wickets, his best figure 5/35. He played 265 ODI’s and scored 5080 runs with batting average of 29.70 including 3 100’s & 23 50’s. His highest score is 112. In bowling, he took 269 wickets, his best figure 6/35. Whereas, he played 26 T20Is and scored 346 runs with batting average of 23.06. His highest score is 46 not out. In bowling, he took 18 wickets, his best figure 3/13.He appeared in international cricket in 1996, when he made his One Day International debut against Zimbabwe at his home ground in Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan, just a month before his 17th birthday. He has played more than 200 ODIs and almost 50 Tests for Pakistan. At first a fast bowler, Razzaq's batting has enhanced right through the years and he has been renowned as an all-rounder. He is most excellent recognized in cricket as an aggressive batsman and has the ability to score rapid runs in last overs.
In the 2009–2010 season, Razzaq missed out on the tours of New Zealand and Australia, due to injury. However he was selected in the two match Twenty20 International series against England in February 2010. His innings of 46 runs not out from 18 deliveries in the second match of the series, cemented Pakistan a victory, their first in eleven international outings.

On 30 December when playing in a game for the Melbourne Renagades, former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh described Razzaq as a "cardboard cut out" based on his appeared disinterest when playin
Top all-round form (2010)

With players like Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik suffering from selection issues, it was Razzaq who took up the role of a senior player in the Pakistan cricket team. He was selected in the squad for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 and performed admirably with the bat scoring five sixes during the tournament. Pakistan crashed out of the tournament after losing to Australia in the semi-final. Razzaq then took part in the 2010 Asia Cup.

In July 2010, Razzaq played in the two T20Is against Australia as Pakistan won both matches comfortably. He wasn't selected for the Test series against Australia and England and next played in the September 2010 Twenty20 and ODI series against England. The Pakistan team had been surrounded by Spot-fixing allegations as the team lost both Twenty20 matches due to low morale. Razzaq missed the first two ODI's against England because of a back-strain as Pakistan lost both matches. He returned to the third ODI and scored 31 runs in a fruitful partnership with Shahid Afridi before Afridi was run out and Razzaq was subsequently caught in the deep square leg as Pakistan were bowled out for 241. England opened the innings strongly before Umar Gul removed six batsmen and Razzaq took two wickets to seal a 23-run victory for Pakistan.

Razzaq's lower order destruction also became helpful for his domestic team the Lahore Lions as he scored 138 runs from his four innings including a superb 73* in the final to help guide his team to victory in the 2010-11 Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup.

On 31 October 2010, in the second One Day International against South Africa, Razzaq played a match-winning innings of 109* off 72 balls at a strike rate of 151.38, his third One Day International century. The innings which contained seven fours and ten sixes saw Pakistan to a one-wicket win with one ball remaining and level the 5-match series 1–1.
2011 Cricket World Cup
Razzaq was included in Pakistan's 15-man squad for the 2011 World Cup hosted by Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka between February and April. His role was to open the bowling and bat down the order. In his first two matches, he had faced just 10 balls, however he scored 20 not out from 24 balls against Australia to guide Pakistan to victory, ending Australia's string of 34 matches in World Cups without defeat.