Azhar Abbas (cricketer)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 April 1975 Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium |
Azhar Abbas Haraj (Urdu: اظہر عباس ہراج ) is a Pakistani-New Zealand cricket coach and former cricketer.[1] Azhar is a bowling coach for Wellington Firebirds in New Zealand having previously worked with the Auckland Aces. As a player, he appeared for the Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds in the New Zealand State Championship.[2] He is a vice chairman of PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) sports and cultural wing of PTI Pakistan. He is a former chief of staff to Honourable Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (ex Prime Minister of Pakistan) between 1996 to 2013. He is a founder of New Zealand Pace Foundation.
Early life and family[edit]
Azhar Abbas was born on 1 April 1975 in Abdul Hakim Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan to a Former’s Family.[3][1] At the age of 14, He was moved to Lahore to complete his education and Sports (Cricket) interests.[1]
Abbas is a married to Shazia; the couple has two daughters and a son, Muhammad Abbas, who plays first-class cricket for Wellington.[1] He and his wife are naturalised New Zealand citizens.[1]
Career[edit]
Azhar Abbas played most of his cricket in Pakistan, England and New Zealand as a fast bowler, he was named to a wider Pakistan squad in 1997 and 2005 but did not make the final team against Sri Lanka and India.[1] After meeting former New Zealand cricketer, Richard Petrie, in England, Abbas joined the Karori Club in Wellington.[1] He later became a player-coach for Eden Roskill Cricket Club in 2005.[1]
Now he is a NZC Level 3 cricket coach. From 2015 to 2021 he was a bowling coach for Auckland Aces. From 2022 he has worked in the same role for Wellington Firebirds. He is also a founder of NZ Pace Academy.[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Is this teen NZ cricket's next big thing?".
- ^ "Azhar Abbas". Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
- ^ "Azhar Abbas Profile - Cricket Player Pakistan | Stats, Records, Video".
- ^ "Abbas named Wellington bowling coach". Cricket Wellington. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
External links[edit]
- Azhar Abbas at New Zealand Cricket Players Association
- 1975 births
- Living people
- Pakistani cricketers
- Pakistani cricket coaches
- Pakistani emigrants to New Zealand
- Bahawalpur cricketers
- Cricketers from Khanewal
- Multan cricketers
- Pakistan Railways cricketers
- Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited cricketers
- Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited cricketers
- New Zealand cricket coaches
- New Zealand people of Punjabi descent
- Naturalised citizens of New Zealand
- Auckland cricketers
- Wellington cricketers