Even today if we sit to talk about sport and cricket in Pakistan after 6 months or so, the memories of ICC Champions are still alive and will be fresh in 2018! The 2017 year was full of #maukamauka and #kohlinahihotatujhsechase slogans and ICC Champions Trophy whose final will be memorable for us for beating Indians by 180 runs to win the Trophy in finals. It won’t be an exaggeration if it said so that cricket runs in the veins of Pakistani people, especially when it is Indian team playing against our team. No doubt we have won World cups, Asia Cups, Sharjah Cups, the tri-series Down Under and a myriad of other tournaments but ICC Champions Trophy will be a lovable memory for decades to come as it was a lesson for our neighbor-country that pride hath a fall!
For the die-hard of fans of Cricket, we are proudly ranking Top 10 Most Liked Pakistani Cricketers In Pakistan In 2017 on the basis of stunning performance of our team on the field!
10- Shoaib Malik
A decent all-rounder player of Pakistan Cricket team has celebrated his 250th One Day International in this ICC Champions match in 2017. Till now he has scored 6742 runs, with 39 half-centuries and nine tons along with more than 150 wickets in ODIs, T20s and test matches. A true cricket fan must not forget his three centuries, including his top-score of 143 in Colombo against arch-rivals India.
9- Mohammad Hafeez
Sadly, such great cricket player was suspended for bowling in ICC matches by the International Cricket Council (ICC) when his bowling performance reached more than 15 degree level of tolerance to fall in illegal category through an independent assessment. Wasim Akram has recommended him to focus on his batting career in next matches. Anyhow, Hafeez’s performance enabled him to win the top seat of all-rounder in (ICC) one-day rankings.
8- Junaid Khan
The left arm fast bowler of Pakistan Cricket team earned a lot of respect in sport world for beating Indian’s best batsman including Virat Kohli, who was dismissed by Junaid for three times in ICC 2017. Critics believe that the finals of ICC 2017 against India’s best team was won by Pakistan’s world-class fast-bowlers and in such a great performance, one name of Junaid Khan will always be remembered for restraining a rampant Indian batting line-up.
7- Azhar Ali
In the ICC 2017 matches, the incredible performance of Azhar Ali for making 118 with partnership of Fakhar Zaman will never be taken for granted. Proving himself a consistent player, he made bestowed an unforgettable record of highest ODI opening run stand. It will always be remembered in the history of Champions Trophy for scoring a gritty 76 of 100 balls to chase down a tricky total of 211.
6- Faheem Ashraf
Earning the title of big hitter, Faheem Ashraf has proved himself a boon for Pakistan Cricket team as his four sixes and four fours in ICC 2017 match against Bangladesh won the hearts of audiences.
5- Imad Waseem
Sitting on the top seat of world’s number 1 bowler leaving India’s Jasprit Bumrah on 2nd number, Imad Waseem has made Pakistan proud in ICC T20I Player Rankings for bowlers.
4- Fakhar Zaman
It is been told earlies that Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali made a recorded highest ODI opening in duo with Azhar Ali, to prove themselves great batters of Pakistan cricket team. Making an attacking knock of 57 out of 100 balls, Fakhar Zaman has set historical record of 118 stands between the duo of him and Azhar Ali. From day one in ICC Champions matches, he was known for aggressive batting and his exquisite batting to score a barnstorming century-114 runs from 106 balls against India in the ICC Champions Trophy final against India will always be a respecting memory in history of Pakistan’s cricket.
3- Hasan Ali
Totally a gem for Pakistan’s nation, this 23 year old right-arm pacer Hasan Ali has earned the status of being umber one ranked ODI bowler in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings in 2017. Establishing himself a consistent player throughout the ODIs matches, he emerged as one of the top bowler in ICC’s ODI rankings contributing 13 wickets in five games, including the ball of the tournament in ICC Champions 2017.
2- Sarfraz Ahmed
Being the captain of Pakistan Cricket Team, Sarfraz Ahmed did not allowed the team players to lose hope losing early matches of ODIs. Without losing a single drop of passion, he kept motivating his bowlers to stand against fine batsman of India.
1- Mohammad Amir
Dismissed in semi-finals against England, Mohammad Amir made a blasting entry in finals against India making a flawless performance of three killer balls that effectively ended India’s fight of chasing 338 runs in the finals of ICC Champions.
