Top 3 ODI innings of Javed Miandad

Former legendary Pakistan captain and one of the greatest batters of all all-time, Javed Miandad has turned 68 today (June 12). The legendary batter served Pakistan at the highest level of the game for a long period of 21 years from 1975 to 1996. Notably, he is one of the only two cricketers in the history of international cricket to make the highest number of appearances in the ODI World Cup editions.

Javed Miandad played in 6 ODI World Cups from 1975 to 1996; later, he was equalled by the former legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar in the ODI World Cup 2011. The Karachi-born former World Cup-winning legend played 124 Tests and 233 ODIs for Pakistan.

Having said that, here we’ll have a look at the top 3 ODI performances of Javed Miandad in his illustrious ODI career of 21 years for Pakistan.

3. 115* runs off 103 balls vs Sri Lanka – 1992

After gaining a 2-0 lead in the five-match home ODI series against Sri Lanka in 1992, Pakistan were locking horns with the visitors in the third ODI at Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad, Sind on January 15, 1992. Sri Lanka skipper Hasan Tillakaratne won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first.

Batting first, Javed Miandad scored an amazing and unbeaten century, scoring 115 runs off 103 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His century, alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 60 runs, helped Pakistan post a total of 241 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Later, Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to the score of 182 runs for the loss of 9 wickets and won the match by 59 runs. Javed Miandad won the ‘Player of the Match award for his sensational knock.

2. 116* runs off 114 balls vs India – Australia-Asia Cup Final 1986

The arch-rivals, India and Pakistan were taking on each other in the high-octane last-ball thriller and historic Final of the Austral-Asia Cup on April 18, 2006. Pak skipper Imran Khan won the toss and asked the Indians to bat first. Batting first, India scored 245 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 50 overs courtesy of Sunil Gavaskar’s 92 runs and Dilip Vengsarkar’s 50 runs.

However, it was the historic knock played by Javed Miandad during Pakistan’s run-chase; he played an unbeaten knock of 116 runs off 114 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes to win the match for Pakistan. This historic match is also known for the unforgettable and historic last-ball six smashed by Javed Miandad off India’s Chetan Sharma when Pakistan needed 4 runs off the last ball. Miandad also won the ‘Player of the Match award for his ‘iconic’ knock against the arch-rivals. This knock ranks second in the list of top batting performances of Javed Miandad in ODIs.

1. 119* runs off 77 balls vs India – 1982

India were on a tour of Pakistan in 1982; both teams were taking on each other in the third match of the four-match ODI series. The 40-over game was reduced to 33 overs due to rain, which was further reduced to 27 overs in the second innings. Batting first, Pakistan scored 252 runs with a brilliant run rate of 7.64, for the loss of only 3 wickets.

Javed Miandad and Zaheer smashed blistering centuries. Miandad scored unbeaten 119 runs off just 77 balls, with 6 fours and 5 sixes. However, his knock went in vain as India won the rain-affected match by a margin of 18 runs (DLS method); the legendary Pak batter won the ‘Player of the Match award for his fiery knock.

Also read: Top 3 performances by Dinesh Kartik in ODI