Zaheer Abbas was one of the finest batters to come out of Pakistan. The right-handed batter played for over two decades in Tests and ODIs. During his illustrious career, Zaheer Abbas has played 78 Tests for Pakistan and scored 5062 with 12 centuries and 20 half-centuries.
In the ODI format, Zaheer Abbas played 62 matches and scored 2572 runs with a best of 123. Zaheer Abbas also hit 7 centuries and 13 half-centuries. His average was 47.62 and his overall strike rate was close to 85.
Zaheer Abbas made his ODI debut in 1974 versus England in Nottingham. In his first game, Zaheer Abbas scored 31 runs with the bat as Pakistan chased down the 245-run target with nearly 7 overs to go.
Here are the top 3 batting performances by Zaheer Abbas in ODI cricket
3- 108 vs Australia – Sydney-1981
Zaheer Abbas’ first-ever ODI century came during the 1981 Benson and Hedges World Series. Australia had batted first and scored 222 runs with opener Rick Darling scoring 74. In reply, Pakistan lost opener Mohsin Khan for 2 before Zaheer Abbas and Muddasar Nazar added 105 runs for the second wicket. Zaheer Abbas ended with 108 off 110 balls with 12 fours before falling to Greg Chappell as Pakistan won by 6 wickets.
2- 113 vs India – Karachi -1983
Zaheer Abbas always reserved his best for India during an ODI in Karachi during the 1983 tour, the batter showed his ruthless side. Chasing 198 to win, Zaheer Abbas scored 113 runs from 99 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan won the game with 5 overs to spare as none of the bowlers could stop the marauding blade of Zaheer Abbas.
1- 123 vs Sri Lanka – Lahore -1982
Zaheer Abbas’s best score in ODI cricket came in a losing effort versus Sri Lanka in 1982. The stylish batter scored 123 runs from 87 balls with 15 fours and 3 sixes. Pakistan scored 239 runs from their 40 overs after batting first. Sri Lanka won the match by 30 runs due to a better run rate.