Saeed Anwar      

Full name Saeed Anwar

Born September 6, 1968, Karachi, Sind

Current age 41 years 78 days

Major teams Pakistan, Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, United Bank Limited

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Slow left-arm orthodox

Wisden overview
Majestic timing and placement were Saeed Anwar's hallmarks. He was an opener capable of electrifying starts in all cricket through graceful strokeplay rather than brute force. He loved driving through the off side with minimal footwork. He annihilated any bowler offering width outside off stump although he too regularly guided the ball straight into the hands of fourth slip or gully. He first came to prominence as a one-day player but soon achieved equal success in Test cricket. Anwar's fielding was weak, he was injury prone, and his footwork became less assured as his career drew to a close. Opting to take a break from the game after the death of his daughter in August 2001, he was a lesser force when he came back, though he still managed a hundred against India in the 2003 World Cup. His batting prowess on the wane, Anwar finally announced his retirement just before Pakistan's home series against Bangladesh. The record for the highest score in one-day cricket still rests with him, and on his day he was one of the most gracefully compelling players on the international stage. Kamran Abbasi

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997

May 18, 2004

Saeed Anwar portrait, 2003

© AFP

Feb 23, 2004

Saeed Anwar crosses the Indo-Pakistani border at the Wagah border post

© AFP

May 4, 2003

Saeed Anwar - Portrait 2003

© Pakistan Cricket Board

View the full index of related photos »