Twenty years ago -- on September 16, 1996, to be specific -- a 21-year-old medium fast bowling all-rounder made his debut for Pakistan in Toronto against India. He scored six runs and bowled four overs without taking a wicket. In the second match of the series he grabbed two for 38, dismissing Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest batsman of the time, and Mongia, the wicket-keeper batsman.

Interestingly, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, who ruled the roost then failed to take a wicket. Waqar gave away more than six per over and Wasim more than five. The young Azhar Mahmood bowled economically, giving only 4.22 per over.

The all-rounder, now Pakistan’s bowling coach, soon cemented his place in the ODI team, sometimes performing with the ball and sometimes with the bat.

Within a couple of months of Azhar’s debut came Abdul Razzaq. He was rapid enough to open the bowling and batsman enough to be sent in as an opener. It took him a few years to be permanent in the side. He became a star when in the three-team series in Australia in 1999-2000, he got Sachin out several times; hit 70 not out and took five wickets against India at Hobart; and hammered Glenn McGrath for five fours in an over at Sydney.

Unfortunately, the careers of both these all-rounders ended when they were still capable of serving Pakistan cricket well.

Azhar played his last ODI for Pakistan in 2007 World Cup when he was just 32. He had been called up for the series against South Africa just before the World Cup after two years in exile.

Similarly, Razzaq was thrown out of the ODI team when he was only 31 and the T20 team when he was 33.

The recent ODI series against England made it clear that Pakistan need a fast bowling all-rounder like Azhar Mahmood and Abdul Razzaq.

Pakistan cannot beat major teams with all-rounders like Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz. There is hardly any depth in the batting line even with the presence of these two youngsters.

In the days of Azhar and Razzaq, our batting line extended till the ninth position (Moin Khan and Wasim Akram, very capable batsmen, batted at eighth or ninth position when these two were in the team).

Racking up scores of over 300 was not unachievable as is now the case (only once did Pakistan get past the 300-mark in the recent series).

We can’t beat any major team with the current players. Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir cannot win us matches against top opponents. Neither can Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali who gave memorable debut performances but failed to meet the expectations afterwards.

Inzamam and company must find young fast bowling all-rounders if it wants Pakistan to perform creditably, especially against the top teams of the world.

mushfiqahmad1000@gmail.com