Source (google.com.pk)
Azhar Mehmood Biography
Azhar Mahmood
Pakistan
Full Name: Azhar Mahmood Sagar
Date of Birth: Feb 28, 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Team: Pakistan, Islamabad Cricket Association, Kent, Lahore Badshahs, Marylebone Cricket Club, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi, Surrey, United Bank Limited
Playing Roll: All Rounder
Batting Style: Right
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
International Debut: 1996
Batting and fielding records
M Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Test 21 34 4 900 136 30.00 1772 50.79 3 1 113 5 14 -
ODI 143 110 26 1521 67 18.11 1988 76.51 - 3 119 24 37 -
Bowling records
M Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Eco SR 4W 5W 10W
Test 21 35 3015 1402 39 4/50 5/95 35.95 2.79 77.31 2 - -
ODI 143 139 6242 4813 123 6/18 6/18 39.13 4.63 50.75 2 3 -
Career Statistics
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Rawalpindi, 06-10, Oct 1997
ODI Debut: India v Pakistan at Toronto, Sep 16, 1996
Azhar Mahmood Sagar (Punjabi: اظہر محمود ساگر; born February 28, 1975) is a Pakistani-born cricketer who became a British citizen in 2011 and is now a fully qualified English cricketer.[1] Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 90’s. When not doing net practice, Azhar would fancy himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home.[2]
Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto,[3] but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed.[4] He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.
He joined the Pakistani team primarily as a medium pacer but he has surprised many by his batting prowess. His hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have also been extremely useful in the one-day game. Unlike most Pakistani pacers who are swing bowlers, he is a useful English-style seam bowler, who can chip in with wickets in time of need.[2]
In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain - not based on seniority alone - and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected. Later - in front of some senior players - he told Azhar Mahmood that he will be the next Pakistan captain. Together they would plan the future strategy. But till now this never came to happen.[5]
Azhar has played county cricket for Surrey[6] and in November 2007 signed a two-year deal to play for Kent.[7]
He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007,[8] but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced. He was however recalled to go with the squad to the West Indies after a knee injury to Abdul Razzaq. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup.[9]
However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar did not get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad. Following his exclusion, Azhar returned to playing county cricket in UK. Over the years, due to his constant exclusion from the Pakistani squad and the fact that he has crossed the 30 year mark in his age, it seems that Mahmood is not as interested in returning to Pakistani line up as he once was. His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up means that his chances for making a return to the national squad are very limited. He has recently signed with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has been released from his central contract.[10]
Recently he has received British citizenship, thus allowing him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan side.[7]
It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.[11] In the 4th February, 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000.[12]
Azhar Mehmood Biography
Azhar Mahmood
Pakistan
Full Name: Azhar Mahmood Sagar
Date of Birth: Feb 28, 1975, Rawalpindi, Punjab
Major Team: Pakistan, Islamabad Cricket Association, Kent, Lahore Badshahs, Marylebone Cricket Club, Pakistan International Airlines, Rawalpindi, Surrey, United Bank Limited
Playing Roll: All Rounder
Batting Style: Right
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
International Debut: 1996
Batting and fielding records
M Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Test 21 34 4 900 136 30.00 1772 50.79 3 1 113 5 14 -
ODI 143 110 26 1521 67 18.11 1988 76.51 - 3 119 24 37 -
Bowling records
M Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Eco SR 4W 5W 10W
Test 21 35 3015 1402 39 4/50 5/95 35.95 2.79 77.31 2 - -
ODI 143 139 6242 4813 123 6/18 6/18 39.13 4.63 50.75 2 3 -
Career Statistics
Test Debut: Pakistan v South Africa at Rawalpindi, 06-10, Oct 1997
ODI Debut: India v Pakistan at Toronto, Sep 16, 1996
Azhar Mahmood Sagar (Punjabi: اظہر محمود ساگر; born February 28, 1975) is a Pakistani-born cricketer who became a British citizen in 2011 and is now a fully qualified English cricketer.[1] Originally his father objected to his interest in cricket, but later started to appreciate it seeing his accomplishments. As a teenager, Azhar was mentored by Irfan Bhatti who played a One Day International for Pakistan in the early 90’s. When not doing net practice, Azhar would fancy himself playing tape ball cricket on the cemented pitch in the cricket ground in front of his home.[2]
Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto,[3] but did not gain major recognition until his Test debut against South Africa the following year at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi when he hit a century and a half-century without being dismissed.[4] He later went on to score two more centuries against the South Africans.
He joined the Pakistani team primarily as a medium pacer but he has surprised many by his batting prowess. His hard hitting but orthodox batting skills have also been extremely useful in the one-day game. Unlike most Pakistani pacers who are swing bowlers, he is a useful English-style seam bowler, who can chip in with wickets in time of need.[2]
In 2000, Lt-General Tauqir Zia, then the PCB chairman, said that the board would choose the next captain - not based on seniority alone - and if people find the choice unacceptable they will not be selected. Later - in front of some senior players - he told Azhar Mahmood that he will be the next Pakistan captain. Together they would plan the future strategy. But till now this never came to happen.[5]
Azhar has played county cricket for Surrey[6] and in November 2007 signed a two-year deal to play for Kent.[7]
He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007,[8] but subsequently dropped when the 2007 Cricket World Cup team was announced. He was however recalled to go with the squad to the West Indies after a knee injury to Abdul Razzaq. It was Mahmood's 3rd World Cup.[9]
However, aside from playing in a practice match, Azhar did not get a chance to participate in the World Cup and Pakistan's early exit from the tournament meant that he was once again, in line for being axed from the national squad. Following his exclusion, Azhar returned to playing county cricket in UK. Over the years, due to his constant exclusion from the Pakistani squad and the fact that he has crossed the 30 year mark in his age, it seems that Mahmood is not as interested in returning to Pakistani line up as he once was. His weight gain, mediocre performances in ODIs, combined with the tough competition for the all rounder slot in the Pakistani line up means that his chances for making a return to the national squad are very limited. He has recently signed with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has been released from his central contract.[10]
Recently he has received British citizenship, thus allowing him to play for Kent as an English-qualified player, further distancing himself from a recall to the Pakistan side.[7]
It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.[11] In the 4th February, 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000.[12]
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