Imran Khan has been ranked as the best Pakistani cricketer of all time, due to his valuable and important contributions for the team. The top 10 list includes iconic bowlers like Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, followed by talented batters like Javed Miandad and Hanif Mohammad. Rankings consider their stats, contribution, and impact for the Pakistani Cricket Team.
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Ranking the Top 10 Best Pakistani Cricketers of All Time (Updated)

Summary
Cricket has been a popular sport in the Asian subcontinent for a very long period of time. Pakistani cricket has seen many ups and downs in its history. From winning the first ICC ODI World Cup in 1992 to the first Champions Trophy in 2017, the Pakistani cricketing circuit has seen many players contributing to the success of the team.
Pakistan is known for producing many world-class bowlers, but they have also contributed many dominating batters to the world as well. Over the years, many world-class players have been a part of the Pakistani setup. Every player has made a name for themselves and their country. In this article, we will talk about the top 10 best Pakistani cricketers of all time.
List of Top 10 Best Pakistani Cricketers (2025 Updated List)
The best cricketers from Pakistan have achieved many milestones and achievements in their careers. They have gained popularity all over the globe with their dominant and impactful performances for the nation. These players have performed in many critical moments, turning the match to their favour and helping the team win. The list of the best Pakistani cricketers is as follows:
Rank | Player Name | Runs Scored/Wickets Taken | Major Achievements |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Imran Khan | 7,516 runs/544 wickets | Led Pakistan to their first-ever World Cup win in 1992 |
2 | Wasim Akram | 6,615 runs/916 wickets | First bowler to take 500+ ODI wickets |
3 | Waqar Younis | 789 wickets | Youngest player to reach 200 wickets in ODIs |
4 | Javed Miandad | 16,213 runs | Played in six consecutive World Cups (1975–1996) |
5 | Imzamam-ul-Haq | 20,580 runs | Pakistan’s second-highest ODI run scorer |
6 | Hanif Mohammad | 3,915 runs | Played the longest Test innings ever (337 runs in 970 minutes vs West Indies) |
7 | Saeed Anwar | 12,876 runs | 20 ODI centuries |
8 | Shahid Afridi | 11,196 runs/541 wickets | Scored the fastest ODI century in 37 balls |
9 | Younis Khan | 17,790 runs | Scored centuries against all Test-playing nations |
10 | Mohammad Yousuf | 17,300 runs | Most Test runs in a calendar year- 1,788 runs in 2006 |
Who is the Best Pakistani Cricketer?
Over the years, the Pakistan Cricket Team has seen many skilful and talented cricketers, who have performed for the team and given their best at every possible time. This list contains the best Pakistani cricketers ever who have been involved with the sport. Imran Khan, the maiden World Cup-winning captain, is arguably the best Pakistani cricketer of all time. However, let's find out the answer to who is the best Pakistani cricketer.
10. Mohammad Yousuf | Most runs for Pakistan in a calendar year in Tests

Right-handed middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been an important and prolific batter for the Pakistani Cricket Team. He was considered one of the greatest Pakistani cricketers of all time due to his elegant and effective strokes. Yousuf was known for his consistency in the middle order. In the year 2006, he scored the most runs (1,788) in Tests in a calendar year.
Category | Test | ODI | T20I |
---|---|---|---|
Matches | 90 | 288 | 3 |
Runs | 7530 | 9720 | 50 |
Batting Average | 52.29 | 41.71 | 16.66 |
Highest Score | 223 | 141* | 26 |
100s | 24 | 15 | 0 |
9. Younis Khan | Highest run scorer for Pakistan in the Test format

Younis Khan is a right-handed middle-order batter for Pakistan, who has served the Pakistan Cricket Team in all three formats since his international debut in 2000. He was a phenomenal batter who always stood up for the team on many crucial and important occasions, which is why he is considered one of the greatest Pakistani cricketers of all time. Younis is the highest run-scorer (10,099) in Tests for Pakistan and also has the most Test centuries (34) for the nation.
Category | Test | ODI | T20I |
---|---|---|---|
Matches | 118 | 265 | 25 |
Runs | 10099 | 7249 | 442 |
Batting Average | 52.05 | 31.24 | 22.10 |
Highest Score | 313 | 144 | 51 |
100s | 34 | 7 | 0 |
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8. Shahid Afridi | Youngest and Fastest ODI century scorer for Pakistan.

One of the greatest spin bowling all-rounders in the world of cricket, Shahid Afridi, has established a name for himself in the Pakistani cricket circuit. He was a talented leg-spin bowler who contributed valuable runs lower down the order. In the year 1996, Shahid Afridi became the youngest and fastest ODI century scorer for Pakistan.
Category | Test | ODI | T20I |
---|---|---|---|
Matches | 27 | 398 | 99 |
Runs | 1716 | 8064 | 1416 |
Batting Average | 36.51 | 23.57 | 17.92 |
Wickets | 48 | 394 | 98 |
Bowling Average | 35.60 | 34.51 | 24.44 |
7. Saeed Anwar | 20 ODI Centuries

Left-handed batter, Saeed Anwar is regarded as one of the greatest openers from Pakistan as well as the greatest cricketer from Pakistan. He was an elegant stroke batter, known for his timing and placement. Saeed provided many electrifying starts for the Pakistan Cricket Team in Tests and ODIs. He was a consistent batter and scored 20 ODI centuries, with many helping Pakistan to win crucial games.
Category | Test | ODI |
---|---|---|
Matches | 55 | 247 |
Runs | 4052 | 8824 |
Batting Average | 45.52 | 39.21 |
Highest Score | 188* | 194 |
100s | 11 | 20 |
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6. Hanif Mohammad | Longest Test innings against West Indies

One of the first star players from Pakistan, Hanif Mohammad, established a reputation as the little master. He was a fearless batter known for playing long innings and immaculate defensive shots. In the year 1958, Hanif Mohammad played the longest innings in a Test match, scoring 337 runs in 970 minutes against the West Indies in Bridgetown.
Category | Test | First Class |
---|---|---|
Matches | 55 | 238 |
Runs | 3915 | 17059 |
Batting Average | 43.98 | 52.32 |
Highest Score | 337 | 499 |
100s | 12 | 55 |
5. Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan’s second-highest ODI run scorer

Former Pakistan Cricket Team captain and middle-order batter, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has been one of the best Pakistani cricketers ever. He was a gifted and accomplished batter who was regarded as one of Pakistan’s greatest middle-order batsmen with more than 20,000 international cricket runs. He had a little, bulky body and smashed bowlers all around the stadium. Many cricket experts and fans rated him as one of the best batters against pace bowlers.
Category | Test | ODI | T20I |
---|---|---|---|
Matches | 120 | 378 | 1 |
Runs | 8830 | 11739 | 11 |
Batting Average | 49.60 | 39.52 | - |
Highest Score | 329 | 137* | 11* |
100s | 25 | 10 | 0 |
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4. Javed Miandad | Played in six consecutive World Cups (1975–1996)

Javed Miandad is the greatest batter Pakistan Cricket has ever seen. He was a right-handed batter who scored runs consistently and carried the team since his debut in 1975. The batter was known for his grit and mentality. Javed played in six consecutive ICC ODI World Cups from 1975 to 1996 with the Pakistan Cricket Team.
Category | Test | ODI |
---|---|---|
Matches | 124 | 233 |
Runs | 8832 | 7381 |
Batting Average | 52.57 | 41.70 |
Highest Score | 280* | 119* |
100s | 23 | 8 |
3. Waqar Younis | Youngest player to reach 200 wickets in ODIs

One of the greatest fast bowlers from Pakistan, Waqar Younis, was known for his toe-crushing yorkers and lethal reverse swing. He delivered many match-winning and valuable bowling spells for the Pakistan Cricket Team. Waqar became one of the youngest fast bowlers to take 200 Test wickets and the youngest for 200 ODI wickets.
Category | Test | ODI |
---|---|---|
Matches | 87 | 262 |
Wickets | 373 | 416 |
Bowling Average | 23.56 | 23.84 |
Economy | 3.25 | 4.68 |
BBF | 7/76 | 7/36 |
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2. Wasim Akram | First bowler to take 500+ ODI wickets

One of the best Pakistani bowlers, Wasim Akram, has established a reputation as one of the best Pakistani cricketers. He was a master of swing and seam, which made him a dangerous bowler in world cricket. Wasim Akram made many valuable contributions to the Pakistan Cricket Team and became the first bowler to take 500+ ODI wickets. Apart from bowling, he also provided handy and effective batting lower down the order.
Category | Test | ODI |
---|---|---|
Matches | 104 | 356 |
Wickets | 414 | 502 |
Bowling Average | 23.62 | 23.52 |
Runs | 2898 | 3717 |
Batting Average | 22.64 | 16.52 |
1. Imran Khan | Led Pakistan to their first-ever World Cup win in 1992

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan is the best Pakistani cricket player of all time. He was a top-notch all-rounder who contributed with the bat and the bowl for the Pakistan Cricket Team. He is one of only 8 all-rounders with 3,000+ runs and 300+ wickets in Tests. He inspired the Pakistani team with his leadership and presence. He is also among the richest Pakistani cricketers of all time.
Category | Test | ODI |
---|---|---|
Matches | 88 | 175 |
Runs | 3807 | 3709 |
Batting Average | 37.69 | 33.41 |
Wickets | 362 | 182 |
Bowling Average | 22.81 | 26.61 |
Ranking Factors
We have ranked the players on the basis of their stats, contribution, and impact for the Pakistani Cricket Team. Skills and Abilities of the players also play a major role in defining their rank in the best Pakistani cricketers of all time list. We have analysed the player stats in different formats and found out their contribution and impact on the matches and tournaments.
Top 5 Best Pakistani Cricketers in 2025
Rank | Player Name | Runs/Wickets (Asia Cup 2025) |
---|---|---|
1 | Sahibzada Farhan | 156 runs |
2 | Fakhar Zaman | 122 runs |
3 | Mohammad Haris | 100 runs |
4 | Saim Ayub | 6 Wickets |
5 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 6 wickets |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the best Pakistani cricketer?
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Who was the best Pakistani cricketer?
Imran Khan was the best Pakistani cricketer.
Who is the legend of Pakistan?
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Who is the legend of Pakistan?
Imran Khan is the legend of Pakistan.
Who is called the king of cricket in Pakistan?
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Who is called the king of cricket in Pakistan?
Babar Azam is called the king of cricket in Pakistan.
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