Wisden, the independent voice of cricket, has unveiled the under-23 all-time Test XI, all of whom made waves and shattered records in their early twenties.
It’s a side that has been picked based on players’ performances before they had turned 23.
Pakistan has three representations in the XI led by South Africa’s Graeme Smith. Former captain Javed Miandad, legendary pacer Waqar Younis, and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are Wisden’s three inclusions.
Miandad was altogether a different package for world cricket as he quickly established himself as the mainstay of Pakistan batting since the start of his career. He began his career with a brilliant 163 against New Zealand on debut in 1976. Just after three games, he scored a double-centurion, becoming the youngest to have achieved the feat.
Waqar Younis was a nightmare for batters. He made his debut in the same game as India’s Sachin Tendulkar and rapidly made strides in international cricket with his mature skills. He was close to 200 Test wickets before his 23rd birthday.
Saqlain Mushtaq started his career at the age of 18. He starred with five-fors against visiting South Africa and West Indies before bagging 10-wicket match hauls in consecutive Tests at Chennai and Delhi in 1999. Viewing his rise, it is hard to believe that Saqlain played his last Test at the age of 27.
Wisden’s under-23 all-time Test XI: Graeme Smith (captain), Alastair Cook, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Javed Miandad, Garry Sobers, Rishabh Pant, Ian Botham, Waqar Younis, Kagiso Rabada, Saqlain Mushtaq.
