Azhar Mahmood Sagar (Punjabi:
اظہر محمود ساگر; born 28 February 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.
Azhar made his One-Day International debut against India in 1996 at Toronto Cricket Club, Toronto,
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.
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 powers. 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.
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.
Azhar has played county cricket for Surrey
and in November 2007 signed a two-year deal to play for Kent.
He was recalled to the national side for the ODI series against South Africa in early 2007,
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 Cu
p
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.
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.
It was announced that Azhar would be playing for the Auckland Aces as one of their overseas professionals in the 2011/12 season.
In the 4 February 2012 IPL auction, Mahmood was sold to Kings XI Punjab for $200,000, double his base price of $100,000
| Personal information |
|---|
| Born |
28 February 1975 (age 38)
Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Height |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Batting style |
Right-handed |
| Bowling style |
Right arm fast-medium |
| Role |
All-rounder |
| Domestic team information |
| Years |
Team |
| 1993–2007 |
Islamabad |
| 1998–2005 |
Rawalpindi |
| 2001–2002 |
PIA |
| 1995–1997 |
United Bank Limited (squad no. 11) |
| 2012 |
Dhaka Gladiators |
| 2008–2012 |
Kent |
| 2006–2007 |
Habib Bank Limited |
| 2011–present |
Auckland Aces |
| 2012–present |
Wayamba United |
| 2012–present |
Kings XI Punjab |
| 2013–present |
Sydney Thunder |
| 2013–present |
Barisal Burners |
| 2002; 2007, 2013-present |
Surrey |
| 2013–present |
Cape Cobras |
| 2006–2010 |
Islamabad Leopards |
| Career statistics |
| Competition |
Test |
ODI |
FC |
LA |
| Matches |
21 |
143 |
155 |
281 |
| Runs scored |
900 |
1,521 |
6,635 |
3,789 |
| Batting average |
30.00 |
18.10 |
31.44 |
21.05 |
| 100s/50s |
3/1 |
0/3 |
9/33 |
2/14 |
| Top score |
136 |
67 |
204* |
101* |
| Balls bowled |
3015 |
6,242 |
25,882 |
12,473 |
| Wickets |
39 |
123 |
536 |
304 |
| Bowling average |
35.94 |
39.13 |
25.05 |
31.56 |
| 5 wickets in innings |
0 |
3 |
22 |
5 |
| 10 wickets in match |
0 |
–/– |
3 |
n/a |
| Best bowling |
4/50 |
6/18 |
8/61 |
6/18 |
| Catches/stumpings |
14/– |
37/– |
126/– |
83/– |
|
