Aaqib Javed was one of the best bowlers in the 1990s era to have emerged from Pakistan. The right-arm seamer was a regular fixture across formats and complimented the likes of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram very well. Handpicked by Imran Khan it didn’t take Aaqib Javed long to show his skills with the ball.
At one stage in international Cricket, Aaqib Javed held the record for the best ODI bowling figures. His 7/37 stood the test of time before Chaminda Vaas overtook the record with his 8/19 against Zimbabwe.
In the absence of Wasim and Waqar, it was Aaqib Javed who was seen as the leader of the pack. He helped Pakistan become a major force in world cricket with his swing and seam bowling.
Aaqib Javed: Workhorse bowler for Pakistan
Pakistan has always been a fast bowler-producing factory. Aaqib Javed wasn’t the quintessential out-and-out pace bowler like Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis, what made him special was his ability to bowl in one channel. He also had the gift of bowling effective reverse which made him a force to be reckoned with.
At a time when ODI cricket was played with the red ball, Aaqib Javed was a terrific bowler with the new ball. His ability to prize out the batters with the swing and seam in the air was second to none. His 7/37 came in a famous Sharjah match where he single-handedly helped Pakistan beat India.
With the emergence of more quicker bowlers, Aaqib Javed lost his place in the side. Pakistani selectors kept picking him and dropping him by the time the new millennium was upon us. As the transition to white-ball cricket was made, Aaqib Javed lost his verve and his ability. This eventually saw him wither away from international cricket.
Aaqib Javed played a total of 22 Test matches and picked 54 wickets with a best of 5/84 which was his only fifer. In the ODI format, he played 163 matches and picked 182 wickets with his best of 7/37 which was one of the four fifers he took in the 50-over format.
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