Witness a rare gem from cricket’s golden era – Zaheer Abbas’s elegant innings of 80 runs against Australia in the 2nd Test at Brisbane, played from November 27 to December 1, 1981. In challenging Australian conditions, Zaheer displayed unmatched grace and composure, scoring 80 runs off 116 balls in 157 minutes, decorated with 10 classic boundaries.
This innings stood out for its timing, placement, and pure class. Even though Pakistan lost the match by 10 wickets, Zaheer’s performance was a masterclass in strokeplay. Known as the “Asian Bradman,” he made batting look effortless against a world-class bowling attack.
Enjoy this vintage footage and relive the artistry of one of cricket’s most elegant batsmen – Zaheer Abbas.
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07:49The form which got him so many runs in the county season.
07:53Picking that one off beautifully.
07:56And clipping it away for four.
07:58So, he's now sighting the ball well.
08:01And seems to have recovered his top form.
08:03It was going to be very interesting to see how
08:05Terry Alderman handled the better pitches.
08:07Of course, the English pitchers are inclined to seam around a bit.
08:10And help the medium pacer.
08:13The Perth pitch too is rather helpful.
08:16Well, this one's not.
08:17And it's going to be a big tester for Alderman.
08:20That's a good shot by Zaheer.
08:21Played straight.
08:23Going down the ground.
08:24Wood running across there pretty quickly.
08:26They'll only get two.
08:27And so, the end of the over.
08:31Eleven coming from that over.
08:33And the score four for 2-2-2.
08:38Thompson to Zaheer Abbas.
08:41Now, that's up in the air again.
08:42Oh, beautifully placed.
08:43Well pitched up there by Thompson and Zaheer.
08:47Here smashes that down to the mid-on boundary.
08:53What, uh, I wonder does Lily watch when he runs up to bowl?
08:58As I run into bowl, firstly I look at my mark to make sure that my foot hits the place I want to put it.
09:04And then, straight away from there, my sights go right onto the target where I want to bowl the ball.
09:15The target there was obviously on the stumps.
09:17It was on the stumps.
09:18It was well played by Zaheer down to mid-on.
09:20Dirk Wellham running across from the offside.
09:23Two to Zaheer.
09:24Another lovely drive from Zaheer.
09:29Hit very firmly but the slow outfield, slowing it down as it reached the boundary.
09:35Leaned into that one and really got it in the middle of the bat.
09:40Driven past the bowler on the onside.
09:45So, Zaheer now in prime form.
09:49And looking and watching the ball very carefully.
09:52It's a short one and it's hit high in the air and, uh, not quite connected there by Zaheer.
10:02Wood comes around but the ball had bounced, uh, a few times before it reached him.
10:07Just for a second there that looked as if that might have been carrying down to Wood,
10:11who came around very quickly initially.
10:13But it didn't.
10:16Well, that was pretty close.
10:17The trap nearly paid off.
10:20Ball landing ahead of a fielder who had to run around a bit.
10:25But credit to Lilly for tempting Zaheer into that shot and creating a bit of a risk for him.
10:32Let's see what he does now.
10:33Perhaps it could be another short pitch delivery.
10:42That one just outside off stump and Zaheer calling for a quick single there and Roger responding.
10:47So, one to Zaheer, that was a good ball from Lilly, just outside the off stump.
10:53And very well played by Zaheer.
10:55Zaheer this time playing it away on the off side.
11:02He got on top of it well.
11:03It was a short lifting delivery on the off stump.
11:07And he placed it well and ran well to get that single.
11:11Now, let's see what Lilly hasn't.
11:16Lilly to Zaheer Abbas.
11:21And four more.
11:23Meant to be the surprise, the short run and the bouncer.
11:26But Zaheer's a bit too experienced for that.
11:28You might be able to talk one of the younger players into it.
11:33And isn't he in good position too?
11:35He's moving across that with him.
11:37Even before the ball is bowled.
11:38He's inside the line and he pulls it in front of square.
11:41Now, that's just an indication of how early he hit that ball.
11:50Oh, and he's done him the same way as Javid Miendad.
11:53But that one, I think, was a slice of luck.
11:55Javid Miendad's dismissal was very good bowling.
11:58And excellent thinking.
11:59That one was just unfortunate, I'm afraid, for Zaheer Abbas.
12:03Yes, I think it was the bounce with the Zaheer Abbas.
12:05He was expecting that ball to bounce much higher.
12:08And he gave himself room to play square on the wicket.
12:12And the ball didn't bounce enough.
12:14It hit the underside edge and from there ricocheted sickeningly onto the off start.
12:19And there is the lead.
12:21Very happy about that.
12:22The fall of the seventh wicket at 245.
12:24Zaheer Abbas, often hailed as the Asian breadman, was a bestman of rare class and unmatched grace.
12:37When he walked out to bat, it was not just about runs.
12:40It was about the poetry of cricket unfolding in front of your eyes.
12:44With a high back lift, silken touch and exceptional timing, Zaheer could pierce the tightest field with ease.
12:52He was especially majestic through the covers and square of the wicket.
12:56His drives were not just shots but pure statements of class.
12:59There was an effortless charm in the way he batted, never in a rush, never out of balance.
13:03Whether facing express pace or tricky spin, Zaheer Abbas remained composed, often making world-class bowling attacks look ordinary.
13:13He was the first Pakistani bestman to score over 100 centuries in first-class cricket, a testament to his consistency and dominance over a long career.
13:22One of the few subcontinental players to truly master English condition, Zaheer Abbas left a lasting legacy with Gloucestershire in county cricket,
13:30where he was adored not just for the runs but for the way he scored them.
13:35In test cricket too, Zaheer Abbas played some unforgettable innings, including multiple double surgeries, often shouldering the burden of the Pakistan batting lineup.
13:44He was not aggressive in the modern sense but was authoritative in his own graceful way, a rare quality deeply respected by both fans and fellow cricketers.
13:53Zaheer Abbas had an extraordinary first-class carrier that firmly established him among the all-time greats of the game.
14:02Over the course of 459 matches, he played 789 innings and scored a staggering 34,843 runs at a superb batting average of 51.54, a mark of true consistency and excellence.
14:16He registered 108 centuries and 158 half centuries, with his highest score being 274.
14:24These numbers reflect not just his brilliance but also his hunger for big scores across different conditions.
14:31Zaheer Abbas was not just a master in international cricket but also a dominant force in domestic and county cricket, especially during his prolific years with Gloucestershire in England.
14:41Though primarily a best man, he also bowled occasionally, delivering 9,858 balls and taking 51 wickets.
14:51With a bowling average of 83.33 and best bowling figure of 3.58, in the field he was sharp and reliable, taking 316 catches during his first-class journey.
15:01These statistics underline a career filled with class, longevity and unmatched grace, a true symbol of cricketing artistry.
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