Former India head coach Ravi Shastri met Pakistan cricket icon Zaheer Abbas and paid a warm tribute to one of the most elegant batsmen the game has seen.
Shastri shared a picture with Abbas on X and wrote, “With a great Artist. Wrists to die for. ZED ABBASSS #LivingLegend”
The two cricketing greats crossed paths on the sidelines of the ongoing Pakistan tour of England. Abbas rang the traditional five-minute bell at Lord’s to mark the start of the second Test between Pakistan and England, a ceremony reserved for figures who have left a lasting mark on the sport.
The post drew an outpouring of affection from fans in both India and Pakistan.
One fan wrote, “What a Player Zaheer.” Another commented, “Two iconic Sport Men! God Bless.” A third fan added, “I can’t forget commentary by both of you.” Several users called the moment “legends recognising legends” and urged both boards to schedule more cricket between India and Pakistan to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Pakistan’s tour of England has proved difficult on the field so far. England won the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, bowling Pakistan out for 171 and 135 after posting 366 for 8 in their only innings. Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue each took five wickets in the match, while Harry Brook top-scored for England with 91.
England then wrapped up the series with a 194-run win in the second Test at Lord’s, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match to play. Robinson finished with match figures of 8 for 35, and Jofra Archer picked up five wickets across the two innings. Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings and nine wickets in the match, but his effort could not save the Greenshirts from defeat.
Saud Shakeel fought hardest for Pakistan with a knock of 97 in the final innings.
Zaheer Abbas, often called the “Asian Bradman” for his prolific run-scoring, remains one of the finest batsmen Pakistan has produced. He played 78 Tests for Pakistan and scored more than 5,000 runs at an average of 44.79, including 12 centuries.
He also represented Pakistan in 62 ODIs, scoring more than 2,500 runs at an average of 47.62 with seven hundreds.
Abbas announced himself on the international stage with a score of 274 against England at Edgbaston, coming in only his second Test appearance. He went on to score four double centuries in Test cricket.
In first-class cricket, he built one of the most remarkable records in the sport, amassing more than 34,000 runs across over 450 matches at an average of 51.54, and became the first Asian batsman to reach 100 first-class centuries.
Abbas captained Pakistan in 14 Tests and 13 ODIs during his playing days. After retirement, he went on to serve as president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) between 2015 and 2016.
The Marylebone Cricket Club also honoured him with lifetime membership in 1990, recognising his contribution to the game.
