Zaheer Abbas is celebrated as one of Pakistan’s most elegant and prolific batsmen. He is famously nicknamed the “Asian Bradman.” He played from 1969 to 1985. He scored over 42,000 runs across formats and earned a place in the ICC Hall of Fame.
Zaheer Abbas Quick Bio:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani |
| Date of Birth | July 24, 1947 |
| Age (2025) | 78 years |
| Birthplace | Sialkot, Punjab |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm offbreak |
| Role | Batter |
| Religion | Islam |
| Nickname | Asian Bradman |
Zaheer Abbas Statistics:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | 100s/50s | Top Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 78 | 5,062 | 44.79 | 12/20 | 274 |
| ODI | 62 | 2,572 | 47.62 | 7/13 | 123 |
| FC | 457 | 34,843 | 51.54 | 108/158 | 274 |
Career Highlights:
- First batter to score 3 ODI centuries in a row
- Only Asian to score 100 first-class centuries
- ICC Hall of Fame inductee (2020)
- President of ICC (2015–2016)
- Played for Gloucestershire (England) – dominant county seasons in the 1970s
- Known for: Timing, elegance, and dominance against spin
International Career Timeline:
- Test Debut: October 24, 1969 vs New Zealand
- Last Test: October 27, 1985 vs Sri Lanka
- ODI Debut: August 31, 1974 vs England
- Last ODI: November 3, 1985 vs Sri Lanka
Legacy & Influence:
- Style icon of batting – praised by contemporaries and successors
- Mentor & administrator – served in PCB and ICC roles
- Cultural impact: Elevated Pakistan’s batting reputation globally
- Family: No known cricketer relatives
Zaheer Abbas Religion:
Zaheer Abbas is Muslim. His full name, Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani, reflects his Islamic heritage and lineage.
Contextual Notes:
-
- Name Prefix “Syed”: Commonly used in South Asia to denote descent from the Prophet Muhammad’s family
- Cultural Background: Born in Sialkot, Punjab, a region with a predominantly Muslim population
- Public Persona
Zaheer Abbas’ Wife:
Zaheer Abbas’s wife is Sameena Abbas. She has occasionally appeared in public and the media, especially during health updates about her husband.
About Sameena Abbas
- Name: Sameena Abbas
- Spouse: Zaheer Abbas (married for several decades)
- Public Role: Maintains a private profile but has spoken to the media during family health updates
- Notable Appearance: In June 2022, she confirmed Zaheer Abbas’s recovery after COVID-19 and kidney complications
Contextual Notes
- Sameena has been a supportive presence throughout Zaheer’s cricketing and administrative career
- The couple is known for their long-standing marriage and dignified public image
- She has not been involved in cricket or public office herself
Zaheer Abbas’ Children:
Zaheer Abbas has at least one daughter, who was married to Lieutenant Colonel Zaheer Abbas Turi of the Pakistan Army. Their son, Irtaza Abbas Turi, was tragically martyred in May 2025 during cross-border shelling in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Known Family Members
- Daughter: Name not publicly disclosed
- Married to Lt. Col. Zaheer Abbas Turi
- Grandson: Irtaza Abbas Turi
- Age: 7
- Martyred on May 7, 2025, in Dawarandi, AJK
National Mourning
- The funeral was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and COAS General Asim Munir
- The incident was widely covered in national media as part of Pakistan’s response to Indian aggression
Zaheer Abbas’s Son-in-Law:
Zaheer Abbas’s son-in-law is Lieutenant Colonel Zaheer Abbas Turi of the Pakistan Army. He was tragically martyred in May 2025 during cross-border shelling in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Family Connection
- Son-in-law: Lt. Col. Zaheer Abbas Turi
- Relation: Married to Zaheer Abbas’s daughter
- Incident: Martyred in Dawarandi, AJK, during unprovoked Indian aggression on May 7, 2025
- Grandson: Irtaza Abbas Turi, age 7, also lost his life in the same attack
National Response
- Funeral attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir
- Widely mourned as a symbol of sacrifice and resilience
- Highlighted in national media as part of Pakistan’s ongoing defense narrative
FAQs:
Q: Why is he called the “Asian Bradman”?
A: Due to his elegant batting style and prolific run-scoring, especially in first-class cricket.
Q: How many international runs did he score?
A: Over 7,600 runs — 5,062 in Tests and 2,572 in ODIs.
Q: What is his highest Test score?
A: 274 vs England at Edgbaston in 1971.
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