With his double century Wasim Jaffer has joined the elite club of Indian batsmen who have hit score of over 200 in test cricket.
Batsmen of the calibre of Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajit Wadekar, Vijay Merchant, Vijay Manjrekar, Saurav Ganguly, Mohinder Amarnath and Vijay Hazare could not reach the figure.
In fact, Mohinder Amarnath’s highest score was just 138. In sharp contrast, Anshuman Gaekwad and Ravi Shastri hit double centuries. However, Vinod Kambli had two double centuries but his career was short-lived. One hopes that Jaffer would have a long career.
M Azharuddin had half-a-dozen scores from 150 to 199 including 179, 182, 199, 192 etc but could not reach the magic figure. Amongst Muslim cricketers who represented India, the one-eyed Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi had hit a double century (203).
Along with the likes of Dhoni, the emergence of Muslim cricketers from humble background has come as a positive sign. Munaf Patel’s father is a farmer, Irfan’s (Pathan) father was muezzin and that of Wasim Jaffer was a bus driver. All of them fought hard to reach the top.
That’s surely going to give confidence to youths and seek inspiration from the heroes. Even M Azharuddin’s background was middle-class but these cricketers have come from lower-middle class and almost poor families.
Adnan (www.indscribe.blogspot.com)
First of all I may introduce my self , I am ex firstclass cricketer from pakistan I love to see good criceters any where in world of any religion or nationality. I have followed Wasim Jaffer very closely , I sincerly think that he only needs minor adjustment to his tecnique, if he does so I bet he will get a big hundered in next test, and in remaining years of his of international cricket , he is a absolute gem.Neither can I talk to the person nor explain the adjustment required. If I may have Email address of Wasim I may help him to rise to desired levels.This is confidential, kindly keep it so.
Regds