Waqar Younis scripts his name in PCB hall of fame

The legendary former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis has been formally inducted into the prestigious Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame on Wednesday (March 23). Waqar was honoured with a commemorative cap and plaque during the third day of the final Test match between Pakistan and Australia in the iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. 

Being regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers ever, Waqar represented Pakistan in 87 Tests and 262 ODIs in his career spanning over 14 long years from 1989 to 2003, in which he picked 373 and 416 wickets, respectively. 

He was one of the greatest exponents of reverse swing and thus was highly successful in the subcontinent. Coincidently, the Pakistani great was celebrated on the very same day when Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc used Waqar's old trick to rattle Pakistan on 268/10 (after them being at 214/2 at one stage) in the first innings.

The former seamer was immensely successful at Gaddafi, where he took 43 wickets at an impressive average of just 24.39 in both Tests and ODIs combined. Therefore, it was an extraordinary moment for the legend when he received the honorary cap and plaque in that exact venue. 

Reacting to his inclusion into the PCB Hall of Fame, the 50-year old said, "I feel honoured to have been inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame with my mother and wife standing alongside me. In fact, It was an honour to receive the beautiful plaque from my mother, who has been my inspiration throughout this highly rewarding and immensely satisfying cricketing journey. Without her blessings, I would not have been able to achieve this much as a professional." 

The Punjab-born fast bowler said that it's a huge matter of respect for him to script his name alongside the greats from the country. 

He also stressed that playing for Pakistan was a dream come true for him, something he would cherish for a lifetime and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the PCB for honouring him. 

"It is indeed a very proud moment for me to be placed in the same category as Abdul Qadir, Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Zaheer Abbas. These individuals are absolute legends of the game and their achievements and success stories are well documented. 

I would like to thank all the players I played with and against as well as all the support staff who contributed towards my accomplishments," Waqar said. 

"Playing for Pakistan was a dream come true, and I still cherish every single moment of wearing the Pakistan colour. And to be awarded by the Pakistan Cricket Board with this honour 19 years after I last represented my country is just an icing on the cake, for which I am grateful to them," the PCB Hall of Fame inductee concluded.