OTD| Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan was born in 1971

Moin Khan was a prominent figure in Pakistan International cricket. The wicket keeper batter had a career marked by fierce competition with Rashid Latif for the wicket-keeper’s role. Latif was known for his exceptional wicket-keeping skills but struggled with the bat, while Moin was a talented batsman but had inconsistencies behind the stumps. Despite the rivalry, Moin ultimately secured a regular place in the Pakistan team. On this day, the former Pakistan wicket keeper was born in 1971. 

In the year 1994, Moin made a significant Test breakthrough against Australia, scoring his maiden century and helping Pakistan secure a draw. He showcased his ability to perform under pressure during a memorable innings of 117 against Sri Lanka when Pakistan needed 357 runs for victory, though they fell short. The former Pakistan player also excelled in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from 1997 to 2000, earning a reputation as a reliable finisher with both bat and gloves. His leadership came to the fore during the 2000 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, where he captained Pakistan to victory, scoring a fiery 56 off 31 balls in the final against Sri Lanka.

However, Moin’s captaincy was criticized for being too defensive, and internal team conflicts didn’t help his cause. His wicket-keeping skills declined over time, leading to his replacement by Kamran Akmal after the 2004 Test against Sri Lanka. Despite his international setbacks, the 52-year-old continued to shine in domestic cricket. In 2005, he played a blistering T20 knock of an unbeaten 112 off 59 balls for Karachi Dolphins against Lahore Lions. He retired from professional cricket in style, notching an unbeaten 200 for Karachi against Hyderabad, his highest first-class score.

The dashing wicket keeper batter then ventured into coaching, leading the Hyderabad Heroes in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007 and later with the Lahore Badshahs in 2008. In August 2013, he became the manager of the national team. After Dav Whatmore’s tenure ended, Moin took over as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team in February 2014. However, his coaching stint faced challenges as Pakistan lost in the final of the Asia Cup and failed to reach the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup.

In April 2014, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Moin Khan as the chief selector of the national side, giving him a significant role in shaping the team’s future. Despite the ups and downs in his cricketing journey, Moin Khan’s contributions to Pakistani cricket as a player, captain, and coach remain noteworthy, and his legacy continues to impact the sport in the country.