Pakistan’s former opener Ramiz Raja, in a YouTube video on Wednesday, revealed a story from the 1992 World Cup match against New Zealand in which the legendary former captain Javed Miandad’s mind games against pacer Danny Morrison helped the Men in Green against a ferocious opposition.
The 57-year-old stated that Kiwi pacer Morrison was firing on all cylinders in their World Cup encounter when Miandad walked in to bat.
“I remember a particular partnership with Javed Miandad in the 1992 World Cup match against New Zealand. It was a must win match for us. Danny Morrison was bowling an inspired spell. When Miandad came to the crease, Morrison bowled a couple of quick bouncers. Miandad got hit on the gloves by one of them. When the over ended, he came over to me and told me to play a pull shot in case Morrison bowled a bouncer and then he asked me to leave the rest to him,” Raja said.
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Raja revealed that Miandad’s antics took away Morrison’s rhythm which helped Pakistan in a vital encounter.
“I hit Morrison for a four with a pull shot when he bowled me a bouncer. Miandad started walking off with Morrison while he was going back to his run-up and started to sledge him vicously asking him to dare to try another bouncer. The umpires intervened and brought Miandad back. Morrison bowled some more bouncers to end his over. I asked Miandad, immediately after the over, why he was prompting him to bowl bouncers to me. He said I am playing mind games with him don’t worry and that is exactly what happened. Morrison had lost all his rhythm which saved Pakistan in the end. Even as a non-striker Miandad’s mind was always working and forming game-plans against the opposition,” he said.
The former cricketer-turned- commentator claimed that Miandad was a unique batsman unrivalled by any batsman who came before or after.
“Pakistan cricket had many batsmen before Javed Miandad and after him but nobody was quite like him. He was unique. He was the first Pakistan batsman to score at an average of above 50 runs. He was consistent throughout his career. His style of batting was aggressive. His temperament was like a fast-bowler. He was probably the first Asian player who believed in the power of sledging. He had a great cricketing mind which helped him throughout his career. He knew what shots to play to which bowlers. His temperament was amazing,” he said.
Raja stated that Miandad’s sense of humor set him apart while his sledging abilities created a sense of unease for the opposing players.
“I remember Ian Botham struggling against Abdul Qadir. Miandad was at short-leg and I was at silly mid-off. Miandad would continue to say sweep continuously before each ball. Botham got confused and said ‘Would you mind shutting your trap?’ Miandad responded saying you only know one shot, when in trouble play sweep. He kept saying sweep before every ball. I could not contain my laugh and Botham was visibly troubled until he was out,” he concluded.