Eight Pakistani athletes who made 2016 special for us

A list of most prolific performers for the country

Pakistani athletes set the world alight throughout the year 2016 across many sports. Their remarkable achievements were awe-inspiring on many levels as they etched their name in the minds of sports lovers.

Here is a list of the most prolific performers for Pakistan in the year 2016 in no particular order:

Misbahul Haq (Cricket)

Misbah receiving the Test mace. PHOTO: AFP

Misbahul Haq made headlines across the globe when he became the first Pakistan Test captain to lift the International Cricket Council’s mace, awarded to the team who tops the five-day format rankings.

Apart from this honour, he also became the most successful Test captain for Pakistan after bagging 24 wins and leaving behind the likes of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.

If that was not enough, at the age of 42, he became the most capped Test captain for Pakistan as well.

Under his leadership, Pakistan visited England in 2016 and drew the series 2-2. He was later asked to stay put on the post for the tours to New Zealand and Australia. Pakistan lost both Test series and the right-hand batsman is now on the verge of hanging his boots but his legacy will remain unmatched for at least decades to come.

Misbah played 10 Test in 2016 and scored only one ton at the Lord’s against England which was followed by the famous ten-pushups celebration. He scored 543 runs at an average of 31.94 with four half-centuries and highest score of 114.

Muhammad Waseem (Boxing)

PHOTO: MOHAMMAD WASEEM

When Quetta’s Muhammad Waseem decided to turn pro in boxing, little was known that the 29-year-old would amount to much, given the lack of facilities the country provides for its boxers. However, it is ultimately true that you can’t stop talent – as proven by the Falcon. With a bit of luck after signing with South Korean promoter Andy Kim, the pugilist got his shot at the big leagues, alongside a two-month training stint under Jeff Mayweather in his gym in Las Vegas.

And 2016 was Waseem’s year, as he made headlines by clinching World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight title and then successfully defending it against Philippines’ Giemel Magramo. While the government’s promises of financial rewards are still yet to come, the boxer has punched his way through all the hardships of being a non-cricketing sportsman in Pakistan and is still climbing the ladder of success further.

Babar Azam (Cricket)

Babar Azam acknowledges the crowd. PHOTO: AFP

For Pakistan cricket, 2016 brought a lot of young players to the fore. One of them was right-hand batsman Babar Azam.

He started 2016 with a well-constructed 62 off 76 in the first ODI against New Zealand in Wellington. The youngster followed it up with another half-century (83 off 77) against the Kiwis. However, his claim to fame was not the start to 2016 but how he ended the year in the 50-over format.

Three centuries on the trot against West Indies in the UAE was nothing less than miraculous from a 22-year-old. He posted scores of 120, 123 and 117 to help his side whitewash the visitors in the three-match series.

His accolades helped his received high praise from head coach Mickey Arthur who compared him to Indian batting star Virat Kohli.

Haider Ali (Paralympics)

Haider Ali poses with the winners of the long jump event. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan’s participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics was dented by the non-qualification of the national hockey team. It was first time in the history of the game that the Colts were not contenders for the Olympic gold. Also, the participation athletes in other sports didn’t inspire Pakistan to any medals.

However, Haider Ali, a Paralympics long jumper, brought honours from Rio. The 31-year-old bagged bronze medal in the long jump event of the T-37 class by managing a distance of 6.28 metres.

Haider, who was the lone participant from Pakistan in the 2016 Paralympics, had already helped the country to the podium with a silver medal in the same category in 2008 as well.

Ahmed Mujtaba (MMA)

PHOTO COURTESY: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP

Hailing from Quetta, 23-year-old Ahmed Mujtaba could have any career he wanted to; however, he was determined to make his mark on his own terms. Nicknamed Wolverine for obvious reasons, the roaring beast stepped into Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) cage three years ago and is still unbeaten in the eight encounters he has had so far. Coached by Ehtisham Karim, who runs Islamabad’s famed Fight Fortress gym with brothers Sultan and Uloomi, Mujtaba is known for his aggressive style. He has won only one fight by decision, while he won other five by submission and two by knockout.

The year 2016 was particularly special one for Mujtaba after he penned a deal with ONE Championship – Asia’s biggest MMA promotion – and subsequently defeated Singapore’s Benedict Ang in his inaugural fight. Although he won the bout by unanimous decision, the 23-year-old’s victory ended his opponent’s perfect streak. The triumph turned the Quetta-born into a household name in the MMA circuit after compatriot Bashir Ahmad.

Asad Shafiq (Cricket)

Asad Shafiq raises his bat to the crowd. PHOTO: AFP

Talk about giving a face to the word resolute and immediately Asad Shafiq will pop up in your mind. The Pakistan regular in Tests and number six didn’t disappoint the pundits who call him the most technically-perfect batsman in the current five-day team.

Asad Shafiq stole the limelight just as the year 2016 was about to end with a stubborn 137 against Australia in the first Test at Brisbane. Pakistan were down and out in the second innings with a mammoth 490-run target staring them right in the face. However, time was on Pakistan’s side – they had to two days left.

Azhar and Younus somehow managed to push Pakistan through day four’s first session but wickets started tumbling and Pakistan looked absolutely off course to even go into day five. Enter Asad Shafiq at his favoured number six position. Three 50+ partnerships with three tailenders nearly pushed Pakistan to a historic victory.

Pakistan lost the match but won hearts of millions of fans at home and across the world. The unpredictable just nearly happened!

Asad’s 2016 saw him play 11 matches and. He managed 733 runs at an average of 36.65 with two tons and five half-centuries. He broke Sir Garfield Sobers long-standing record of scoring most centuries at the number six position.

Kaleemullah (Football)

Kaleemullah awaits a pass in the field. PHOTO COURTESY: TWITTER

It is no secret that Pakistan’s football and its federation are both in shambles, but Kaleemullah was above all this. The 24-year-old from Chaman, who is lauded for his attacking versatility by playing the role of both forward and midfielder, already has 25 caps for Pakistan with four international goals. While he represented Khan Research Laboratories for five years until 2014, he gained popularity last year when he became the first Pakistani to join a professional club in the United States after he was signed by Sacramento Republic in the United Soccer League.

Kaleemullah reached another milestone in 2016 when he became the first Pakistani to score for a professional club in the United States when he lobbed in a low cross from his Tulsa Roughnecks’ teammate. He went on to celebrate the feat with a traditional sajda, something of a surprise for the American crowd. Even though the footballer is still young in his career, if he continues like this, then he could claim many records for the country.

Abdullah Abbasi (Scrabble)

Abdullah Abbasi with winner's trophy. PHOTO: PSA

Scrabble, like squash, is one sport in which Pakistanis are generally good at; however, of late, there has been a lack of top performers. Nevertheless, 16-year-old Abdullah Abbasi turned a new leaf for the country after winning the Causeway Scrabble Challenge youth event in Malaysia this year. From the look of it, the Quetta-based wonder-kid has left behind the defeat he suffered in last year’s World Youth Scrabble Championship finals. Flash forward a year, Abbasi’s victory over Australia’s Tim Mason indicated to everyone about the 16-year-old’s prowess, with many more titles to come to Pakistan.