Date of Birth
Shahid Nazir was born on 4 December 1977 in Faisalabad. He was a product of school cricket like many other cricketers.
Five Wickets on Test Debut
He was a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Shahid Nazir was the third Pakistani bowler who has taken-five wickets haul on Test debut at Sheikhupura against Zimbabwe in 1996. His seven wickets in a match were overshadowed by the world record inning of Wasim Akram’s 257 runs.
Criticism
However, he was being heavily criticized by the spectators whose local favorite bowler Aaqib Javed thought to be replaced. Shahid answered the criticism with a bang by taking five wickets 5 for 53 in the first innings. He took the wickets of ADR Campbell, Andy Flower, Craig Wishart, Andy Whittal, and Henry Olonga.
ODI Debut
Shahid also played ODI cricket for his country and made his ODI debut against England on 1st September 1996 at Nottingham, capturing 2 for 47 in 10 over’s. He played his last ODI against Sri Lanka in Feb 2000. Shahid went on wicketless for 48 runs, in a 10 over’s spell.
Biography
Shahid Nazir has lorded over first-class cricket without quite ridding people of the doubt that they lacked something to make an impact worldwide. Similar to Aaqib Javed, he has the great ability to swing and seam the ball, extravagantly in favorable conditions.
In 1996-97, Shahid was being part of the squad that won the triangular Carlton & United Series under Wasim Akram captaincy. In one of his memorable wickets of Brian Lara edge to Moin Khan. However, his contribution was again overshadowed by the pace bowling of young Muhammad Zahid’s blistering speed stuns internationally.
Shahid Nazir contributed to a number of Test matches for Pakistan for more than the next three years, but appearances became more sporadic, just a lone Test appearance in 1999 and then back to the domestic circuit. Moreover, the match-fixing saga of Wasim Akram and other players being involved in this case; create the space for Shahid, as Aqib Javed was on the decline.
That was a perfect chance to cement his place in the side; however, he didn’t get enough chances to prove himself. Especially, Wasim and Waqar were being retired after the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He was recalled in 2005, but Shahid didn’t play any part in this season.
In 2006, he was picked to the national side on the Pakistan tour to England after an injury to Shoaib Akhtar. Hence, it was, at the 3rd Test match at Headingley – an ideal ground for his bowling techniques – that he returned to Test cricket, over seven years after his last test. Shahid Nazir was picked for the West Indies and South Africa tour where he just managed to grab 13 wickets in five Test matches. That didn’t leave any impact on selectors as Muhammad Asif, Umer Gul and Muhammad Amir’s emergence on the international circuit dims the hopes of his comeback.
ICL Contract
So, eventually dissatisfied and jeopardized further by joining the unsanctioned ICL (Indian Cricket League) in 2008. Therefore, he made an agreement with the ICL along with the other renowned players, Imran Farhat, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran Nazir, and Abdul Razzaq. They all played for the Lahore Badshahs and earned fame in India and Pakistan. He was let down that he hasn’t played international cricket since January 2007. Shahid Nazir played first-class cricket till 2011 and then retires from all forms of cricket.
Stats
He represented Pakistan from 1996 till 2007, in which he played 15 Test matches, 36 wickets under his belt at an average of 35.33 with the best of 5 for 53, the only time he took five wickets in a Test match. In 17 ODI’s he took 19 wickets at an average of 34.16 with the best of 3 for 14.
In 130 first-class matches, he managed to score 1,602 runs at 12.41 with the best of 60* including 2 fifties, 44 catches, 458 wickets with an impressive average of 21.18 with the best of 7 for 39 including 18 times five wickets in an innings and one time 10 wickets in a match.
In 94 List-A matches, 123 wickets under his name, at an average of 24.66 with the best of 5 for 30. Moreover, in 11 T20 matches, he took 15 wickets with the best of 4 for 11.
Teams Represented
In a 15 years cricket career, Shahid Nazir has represented many sides, Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, NBP, Faisalabad, Lahore Badshahs, Gujranwala Cricket Association, ICL Pakistan XI, and Northumberland.
