Let’s relive a forgotten moment in Pakistan cricket history—Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry’s ODI debut against India in the Pepsi Asia Cup, Sharjah, April 07, 1995.
In this classic third match of the Asia Cup, a relatively unknown name stepped onto the international stage—Zafar Iqbal, a medium-pace all-rounder from Karachi. While his name may not ring a bell for today’s cricket fans, his debut performance had all the ingredients of a solid all-rounder.
Zafar walked in down the order and played a blazing cameo of 18 runs off just 10 balls, spending 22 minutes at the crease, hitting 1 four and 1 towering six. He brought energy and firepower at the death, something Pakistan always values in its lower-order batting.
With the ball in hand, he bowled a tight spell of 8 overs, giving away only 34 runs and picking up 1 wicket, showing good control and temperament under pressure against a strong Indian batting lineup.
Sadly, that promising start wasn’t enough to cement his place in a team brimming with all-rounders like Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, and others during the 90s. Zafar went on to play only 8 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 48 runs and taking 3 wickets.
📌 Was Zafar Iqbal unfairly overlooked, or was he just another average performer who couldn’t keep up with the competition?
🎥 Watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments section. Let’s give recognition to those forgotten names who wore the green shirt with pride, even for a short while.
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00:00Join us as we rewind to April 7, 1995 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where Zafar Iqbal Chaudhary
00:06made his ODA debut for Pakistan against India in the Pepsi Asia Cup.
00:10A lesser-known name today, Zafar Iqbal was a promising all-rounder who showed some glimpse
00:15of potential in his very first outing.
00:18Batting in the lower order, Zafar Iqbal made a quick impact with the bat, scoring 18 runs
00:23off just 10 balls in 22 minutes, smashing 1-4 and 1-6.
00:27It was a short but lively knock that added valuable runs to the total.
00:31With the ball, he bowled a tight spell, finishing with a 1-34 in eight overs.
00:36His medium pace offered control and a breakthrough at crucial times.
00:40Although his international career lasted only eight ODAs, this debut showcased that Zafar
00:45Iqbal had the skills to contribute in both departments.
00:48In an era rich with all-round talent, Zafar Iqbal perhaps did not get the extended run.
00:54He needed to prove himself fully.
00:56Now it's your turn.
00:57Do you think Zafar Iqbal deserved more chances to wear the Pakistan jersey or was he just another
01:03average performer who could break through the competition?
01:06Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's remember forgotten stories from the
01:10Pakistan cricketing past.
01:17That's why he is here.
01:18That's the why he is here because Inzimam Al-Haq at last bowled by Parshad, licks thumb, brushing
01:24the pearl on his way and Parshad is absolutely delighted as he has every reason to be.
01:33This is Zafar Iqbal making his debut for Pakistan.
01:37Chisti, I don't envy him at all.
01:38He's walked into a pressure cooker.
01:40One of the most difficult situations for any young man to be in, particularly in the charged
01:45atmosphere here.
01:46He's got an air about him.
01:47Good looking shot.
01:48Oh, those were two easy runs weren't they?
01:49Suddenly they've seen a great deal of the Paji in the field for India.
01:50They pick up two quite easily.
01:512.23 for six.
01:52Parshad again to Ukafar Iqbal.
01:53He's hit him hard, high and handsome over mid-wicket for six.
01:54Parshad again to Ukafar Iqbal.
01:55He's hit him hard, high and handsome over mid-wicket for six.
01:56Parshad again to Ukafar Iqbal.
01:57He's hit him hard, high and handsome over mid-wicket for six.
02:06Parshad again to Ukafar Iqbal.
02:11He's hit him hard, high and handsome over mid-wicket for six.
02:20Well-timed, lustily struck over mid-wicket, much to the delight of the Pakistani supporters
02:29in this large crowd.
02:31No playing in period in international cricket with Zafar Iqbal Chishti.
02:34He's going out there thinking it's just another league match, showing very good temperament.
02:38I think that was beautifully struck.
02:41Doing a very good job in a difficult situation.
02:43What a shot.
02:45Parshad again to Zafar.
02:52This one's up in the...
02:57Yeah?
02:58It's a no-ball.
02:59It's no-ball.
03:00No-ball goal.
03:01It's all happening here, isn't it?
03:03Poor Anand Mongya.
03:06He waited an eternity to get under that one.
03:09Thought he held it well against the sun.
03:11And it's a no-ball.
03:13It's all bigger as luck, Chishti.
03:16Maybe, or if I were advocating the cause of Zafar Iqbal, he must have heard it early.
03:22Pretty obvious there.
03:262-3-2 for six now, Pakistan.
03:31We are in the 47th over.
03:34Pakistan won the toss this morning and decided to bat.
03:37Interesting, Chishti, that Azhar didn't use Anil Kumble after that.
03:40He totally rolled seven overs for 26.
03:42He normally tends to bring him back in the end overs.
03:44He's now got three to go.
03:46And when you look back at the bowling figures at the end, if he doesn't bowl now, it would seem a bit unusual.
03:50But I guess you've got to play it over by over.
03:55You've got to look at it incrementally rather than in the past.
03:57Probably thinks he'd be too expensive now.
03:59Tucked away.
04:00Towards deep square leg.
04:01Calmly runs down.
04:02The batsmen are going for the second.
04:03And they make it two.
04:04Appeal by Mungia.
04:05Disallowed.
04:06Well, he did.
04:07Initially he made no signal at all.
04:08And then he asked for the replay.
04:09So.
04:10I think he considered Mungia's appeal against that decision.
04:12Probably.
04:13I mean, there you see that.
04:14Calmly picking that up.
04:15He throws it in.
04:16It's a good return.
04:17Mungia takes it first bounce.
04:19Oh, he's bad home.
04:20It looks he's home, yes.
04:21Oh, he's bad home.
04:22Oh, he's bad home.
04:23He's bad home.
04:24Coming through the onside.
04:27Kumbleh to Zophar.
04:28Yeah, I think he's good.
04:29I think he considered Mungia's appeal against that decision.
04:31Probably.
04:32I mean, there you see that.
04:33Calmly picking that up.
04:34He throws it in.
04:35It's a good return.
04:36Mungia takes it first bounce.
04:37Oh, he's bad home.
04:38Oh, he's bad home.
04:39Oh, he's bad home.
04:40Oh.
04:41He's bad home.
04:42Oh, he's bad home.
04:43Oh, he's bad home.
04:44Oh, he's bad home.
04:45Oh, he's bad home.
04:46Oh, he's bad home.
04:47Kublae to Zafar, driven out very firmly, ball travelling very fast to the fielder there, Azhar Uddin, at wide mid on, Zafar gets a single, lets Vaseem Akram take the strike.
05:02This one's a cutaway, towards deep backward point, third man cuts it off, the batsman home for a couple.
05:24So the required rate, creeping up towards six and over, which is always reckoned to be the sort of cut-off point, that they wouldn't want to be going for many more at this stage in the innings.
05:39Far too much width there, not quite timed, have to hurry for the second, but safely home.
05:54Well, a lot of width over there for Azhar Uddin to come and play his favourite square cut.
06:03Six wickets in hand, 24 overs left, and 162 runs required, but that, look at that required rate, 6.75.
06:14So, an awful lot of runs to get off each over.
06:17And that run rate is going to keep creeping up, unless Sidhu and Mandraka get a couple of boundaries in each over for the next 10 overs.
06:29That's it, Mr. Watt.
06:48This is Zafalik Bout.
06:49Zafalik Bout is out, given out, LBW.
07:08So, Zafalik Bout strikes, and Mabjot Singh Sidhu is on his way, finally from him, 54.
07:17But India now, 106 for 5.
07:23Yes, Najat thinks of the trying to play the ball to be onside, missing it completely.
07:30Trying to make a forcing shot off it.
07:33And that's the first stick for Ikbal.
07:36105 for 5.
07:38Zafar Iqbal Choudhary, a forgotten All-rounder from the 90s.
07:42Born on March 6th, 1969, in Karachi,
07:45Zafar Iqbal Choudhury was a promising cricketer who had a brief international career for Pakistan
07:50in the mid-90s. A right-handed baseman and a medium-paced all-rounder,
07:54Zafar Iqbal featured in 8th Wonder International in 1995.
07:59Zafar Iqbal made his ODI debut against arch-rival India
08:03during the Asia Cup at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on April 7, 1995.
08:08He played his last international match against Sri Lanka also at Sharjah on October 17, 1995.
08:15Though his time at the international level was short, he represented a number of top domestic sites,
08:21including Pakistani Khawrachi, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation,
08:25Khawrachi Blues, Khawrachi Wires, National Bank of Pakistan, and Pakistan Cricket Board 11.
08:31Zafar Iqbal was seen as a useful lower-order baseman and someone who could chip in with the ball in the
08:37middle-orders. In his 8th ODI appearance, he scored 48 runs with a highest score of 18 and picked up
08:44three wickets, with his best bowling figure being 2 for 37. His bowling average stood at 45.67.
08:50Unfortunately, he could not cement his place in the national team. This was a time when Pakistan
08:55had a rich pool of all-rounders and Zafar Iqbal had limited opportunities to showcase his skills.
09:01However, Zafar Iqbal's domestic carrier tells a more complete story. He was a regular performer in
09:06Pakistan's first-class circuit for over a decade. In 72 first-class matches, he scored 2,514 runs,
09:13with a top score of 128, and he claimed 176 wickets. A testament to his all-round abilities,
09:20Zafar Iqbal may not have enjoyed a long international run, but he remains a name respected in domestic
09:26circles. His contributions at the local level underlined the depth of Pakistan's cricketing talent
09:32during the 90s. If you liked this video, please comment, share and subscribe.
