Table of Contents
The Pakistan national cricket team celebrated a massive milestone on Saturday (May 30) as they registered their 1000th ODI victory with a convincing five-wicket win over Australia in Rawalpindi in the three-match ODI series opener.
But it was former batting great Mohammad Yousuf's choice of Pakistan's all-time greatest cricketers that grabbed more attention than the win itself. Surprisingly, Pakistan’s modern-era superstar Babar Azam did not find a place in Mohammad Yousuf's dream list.
Babar Azam misses out from Mohammad Yousuf’s all-time Pakistan list
To mark Pakistan's historic 1000th ODI win, Mohammad Yousuf picked his greatest players across different roles on his social media handle. He picked World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan as the best captain and all-rounder, and legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram as the greatest fast bowler.
Read Also: Ruturaj Gaikwad snatches Riyan Parag's leadership role for India A's Sri Lanka tour
Notably, Imran scored 3,709 runs and scalped 182 wickets in 175 ODIs, while Akram played 356 ODI matches for Pakistan from 1984 to 2003. During his incredible career, he scored 3,717 runs and took 502 wickets. The legendary left-arm pacer is regarded as one of the greatest ever fast bowlers and was the first bowler ever to reach the milestone of 500 wickets in ODI cricket.
Saeed Anwar, Rashid Latif and Saqlain Mushtaq are among Pakistan’s greatest players list for Mohammad Yousuf
For the batting spot, Mohammad Yousuf went with stylish opener Saeed Anwar, one of Pakistan's most celebrated batters. Anwar has 8,824 runs and 6 wickets to his name in 247 ODIs. Former captain Rashid Latif was selected as the wicketkeeper because of his sharp skills behind the stumps, while spin legend Saqlain Mushtaq got the nod as the greatest spinner in the format.
Latif played 166 ODIs for Pakistan, where he amassed 1,709 runs and recorded 220 dismissals, including 182 catches and 38 stumpings. On the other hand, Mushtaq, who invented "doosra" established himself as one of the greatest spinners with 288 wickets and 711 runs in 169 ODIs.
Read Also: Michael Vaughan fires back at critics: "People tried to cancel me, but it hasn't happened yet"
Mohammad Yousuf also named Pakistan's famous 1992 World Cup triumph as the most memorable moment in the country's cricket history. The Men in Green lifted their only ODI World Cup title back in 1992 when Imran Khan and his team defeated England by 22 runs in Melbourne.
Pakistan's Historic #1000th ODI Win Sparks Greatest Player
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) May 31, 2026
Captain & Allrounder : Imran Khan
Fast Bowler: Wasim Akram
Batter: Saeed Anwar
Wicket Keeper : Rashid Latif
Spinner : Saqlain Mushtaq
Most memorable
1992 Worldcup Finals
Arafat Minhas shines on debut as Pakistan beat Australia in 1st ODI
Meanwhile, the biggest star of the first ODI against Australia was debutant spinner Arafat Minhas. The young left-arm spinner produced a dream performance, taking five wickets for 32 runs and becoming the first Pakistan bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on ODI debut at home.
After winning the toss, Shaheen Afridi opted to bowl first, and his spinners made full use of the conditions as Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs despite fighting knocks from Matthew Renshaw, who made 61, and Matthew Short, who scored 55.
During the chase, Babar Azam played a gritty knock of 69 from 94 balls, while Ghazi Ghori impressed with a brilliant 65. Their 127-run partnership for the third wicket put Pakistan firmly in control. By the time both batters were dismissed, the match was almost over.
Pakistan have now taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Australia and will look to continue their winning run when the action shifts to Lahore for the remaining two ODIs.
