Waqar Younis was Glamorgan`s overseas player when they won the Championship in 1997, and during the summer, the Pakistani spearheaded the Welsh attack, claiming 68 wickets at 22 runs apiece.
During a remarkable week in June, Waqar took 7/25, including a hat-trick, as Lancashire were dismissed at Liverpool for just 51, before returning match figures of 8/34 at Swansea as Sussex were bowled out for only 54 and 67. These amazing spells of top-class fast bowling produced two comprehensive victories for Glamorgan, and helped to set them on the way towards the Championship title.
He also played a key role in 1997 as Glamorgan reached the semi-finals of the Nat West Trophy. In the match at Southampton against Hampshire, he shared a ninth wicket partnership with Adrian Shaw which saw Glamorgan home by two wickets with just two balls to spare. Then in the quarter-final at Cardiff, Waqar hit an unbeaten 34 against Yorkshire, and together with last man Dean Cosker, they shared an unbroken partnership of 28 to see Glamorgan home by one wicket in nail-biting conditions.
Sadly, he struggled with injury the following season, and left Glamorgan at the end of 1998 with a total of 113 first-class wickets from his 42 appearances for the county. The Pakistani had previously played for Surrey between 1990 and 1993, taking 232 wickets in three seasons of Championship cricket, including 113 in 1991 at just 14 apiece.
In the early 1990`s Waqar was one of the most feared fast bowlers in both county and international cricket, producing quick and devastating spells of new ball bowling, as well as getting prodigious reverse swing with the old ball. On many occasions, he finished off an innings with a series of fast, in-swinging yorkers that proved far too good for the tailenders. In all, he played in 87 Tests and 262 One-Day Internationals.
WAQAR YOUNIS
Born – Vehari, Punjab, 16th November 1971.
Best performances for Glamorgan:
In First-class cricket – 47 v Kent at Canterbury, 1998; 8/17 v Sussex at Swansea, 1997.
In List A cricket – 45 v Sussex at Hove, 1998; 4/14 v Sussex at Swansea, 1997.
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| First-class | 20 | 23 | 1 | 328 | 14.91 | – | – | 4 | – |
| List A | 22 | 12 | 4 | 182 | 22.75 | – | – | 2 | – |
| Balls | M | R | W | AV | 5wI | 10wM | |
| First-class | 3251 | 96 | 1948 | 80 | 24.35 | 3 | 1 |
| List A | 1011 | 12 | 796 | 33 | 24.12 | – | – |