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Left-handed batters have long held a special place in the cricketing world, captivating fans and experts alike with their unique approach and elegance at the crease. From the grace of their strokes to the impeccable timing of their shots, left-handed players have played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic side of cricket. The artistry and flair associated with left-handed batting have produced some of the most memorable moments in the sport’s history.
Distinctive style and impact
Left-handers bring a distinctive style to the game, often described as more artistic and graceful. Their ability to seamlessly orchestrate cover drives, flicks, and square cuts adds a touch of finesse to the cricketing landscape. Over the years, legendary left-handed batters like Sir Garfield Sobers, Brian Lara and Kumar Sangakkara have not only entertained but also redefined the standards of elegance in cricket. The impact of left-handed batting extends beyond aesthetics, influencing strategies, and providing teams with a different dimensions,
In the modern landscape of cricket, Shan Masood, Pakistan‘s ODI captain, stands out as one of a most elegant left-handed brilliance. His batting style combines classical strokes with a contemporary touch of aggression, making him a formidable force on the field.
‘Pick the Best’ fun segment
Currently captaining Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Masood was tasked with naming his favourite choice for the best left-handed batter of all time in the world cricket history during a fun segment named “Pick the Best” with Cricwick.
In this segment, two options are presented simultaneously, and the participant must choose one among them. The chosen option is then compared to the next one, and this process continues until the ultimate choice is made. The first two options were David Warner and Chris Gayle, and Masood went with Warner. As the comparisons continued, Masood consistently chose Sangakkara over many fellow legends.
Also READ: Misbah-ul-Haq selects Pakistan’s batting order for the T20 World Cup 2024
The ultimate choice
He continued to prefer Sangakkara over the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Michael Hussey, Alastair Cook and others until the moment when the most elegant left-handed batter Pakistan ever produced, Saeed Anwar, burst onto the screen. From that point on, Masood remained steadfast in choosing Anwar, irrespective of whoever was presented, whether it’s Adam Gilchrist, Yuvraj Singh or Shivnarine Chanderpaul. He even emphasized that now that Anwar has entered the discussion, there’s no need to ask any more questions.
Prolific scorer and record holder
Anwar, with his exquisite technique and elegant style, stands as a testament to the artistry of left-handed batting in cricket history. His ability to time the ball with finesse showcased a level of grace that few could match.
Anwar’s prowess wasn’t just about elegance; he was a prolific batter who etched his name in the record books. Holding the record for the third-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket for Pakistan, he amassed a staggering 8,824 runs. His reliance on timing and placement, rather than sheer power, set him apart in both Test and ODI formats, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s cricketing success.
Breaking barriers and setting records
Anwar’s impact extended beyond mere runs. He achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Pakistan batter to score a century against India on Indian soil in an ODI match. His monumental innings of 194 in Chennai stood as the highest individual score in limited-overs international cricket for an impressive 12 years, underlining his dominance and skill on the cricketing stage.
