Sarfraz Nawaz is a fast bowler from Pakistan. He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-handed batsman. He is considered one of the pioneers of “reverse swing” bowling.
The Lahore born Sarfraz Nawaz began his career at the age of 20. His dismal performance in the first test against England played at Karachi saw him out of the national team for the next four years.
He was born on 1st December, 1948 in Lahore. He then made a remarkable come back when he performed brilliantly with both bat and ball against Australia in the 1972-73 series.
As a matter of fact his best performances have been against Australia. In the Melbourne Test in 1978-79, Australia needed only 77 runs to win and had 7 wickets in hand. Sarfraz Nawaz claimed those seven wickets conceding only one run in 33 balls to give Pakistan a memorable and almost impossible victory.
Overall he took 9 wickets for 86 runs; the best performance by a Pakistani bowler against Australia and the fifth best performance in test cricket. Sarfraz Nawaz mastered the reverse swing and passed it on to his peer (Imran Khan) and his successors.
From 1969 till 1984, he played 55 Tests and 45 One Day Internationals and took 177 Test wickets at an average of 32.75. His last Test was against England on 19th March, 1984. His last ODI was on 12th November, 1984 against New Zealand.
Sarfraz Nawaz saved Pakistan many times with both ball and bat. A bowling genius, he could seam the ball in both directions but he was also a temperamental person who was often in trouble due to his reckless behavior.
After retiring from cricket, he entered politics and served as an MPA (Member of Provincial Assembly) for three years. He later became a cricket commentator.
