Pakistan opener Anwar retires

TIME TO GO: Pakistan's Saeed Anwar

KARACHI - Pakistan's world record-holding opener Saeed Anwar announced his retirement from international and first class cricket here yesterday.

"I enjoyed my cricket for Pakistan and after 15 years I announce my retirement," he said.

The 34-year-old left hander, who became a devout Muslim and grew a large beard after the death of his daughter two years ago, still holds the record for the highest score in one-day cricket.

He made 194 against India at Madras in 1997.

Anwar played 55 Tests and 247 one-day games for Pakistan.

Although Anwar managed to score a century and was Pakistan's highest scorer during their first-round exit from this year's World Cup in southern Africa, he was one of eight players dropped from the squad in a revamp of the team after the tournament.

"I am retiring on a high note but am disappointed. I could have played for two more years," Anwar said.

"I made a pair in my first Test and never in my dreams imagined I would go that far after failing in my first Test.

"I played for Pakistan with pride and want to be remembered as a good and decent player," said Anwar whose last Test appearance was against Bangladesh in 2001 when he scored a century.

A computer engineer by qualification, and a Wisden player of the year in 1997, Anwar will be remembered as a gracefully compelling player on the international stage who thrived on sheer timing and placements.

"Many people think that turning to religion has ended my cricket but this is not true and I kept a balance in both things," he said.

Anwar said he was disappointed that he did not get the farewell he deserved after being dropped from the national squad over its abysmal showing in the World Cup, despite being the team's top run getter and scoring a century against India, the eventual runner-up.

"I thought the selectors would give me a chance after the World Cup and I waited for two, three months but they decided otherwise," he said.

Anwar said protesting Wasim Akram's captaincy in 1994, a fine imposed on him in a match-fixing case and losing the World Cup quarter-final against India in 1996 were the main regrets in his career.

Anwar was one of six players fined in a match-fixing inquiry in May 2000.

Anwar said he would love to get coaching assignments to help Pakistan cricket and plans to do commentary in future.

"Saeed Anwar was a great player and deserves the highest accolades for a marvellous career and Pakistan Cricket Board pays him the greatest of tributes," said PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja, a former captain and fellow opener.

"Anwar was a terrific player and gave a lot to Pakistan cricket. He was perhaps the most naturally gifted player that Pakistan ever had." - Sapa-AFP