5 dream cross-generation openers who would have blunted out any attack in Test cricket
In tests, significant emphasis is laid on the opening pair as they have the onus of both seeing out the new ball as well as laying the foundation for a big score. Over the years, many teams have been lucky to have one great opening pair after another.
In this article, we combine batsmen from successful pairs across generations to bring you five dream opening pairs.
#5 Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Anwar
Pakistan is a team known for its bowling prowess. However, over the course of their 65-year cricketing history, they have been graced with several fine batsmen. Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Anwar are arguably two of the finest.
Nicknamed 'the original little master', Hanif Mohammad was a batsman of the classical mould. His defence was difficult to get through and the fact that he barely ever hit the ball in the air meant that opposition captains were left scratching their heads in a bid to get him out.
His 970-minute vigil versus the West Indies in 1958 continues to remain the longest test innings by duration.
After a forgettable debut in which he was dismissed for a couple of runs, Saeed Anwar bounced back to become a permanent fixture of the largely successful Pakistan team of the nineties. Through his eye-catching strokeplay, Anwar often got his team off to brisk starts. He finished his career as Pakistan's highest run-grossing opener.
Hanif's dogged resistance and Anwar's fluent strokeplay would certainly have made for the perfect opening pair for Pakistan.