Pakistan

Famous Pakistani People: Pakistani Artists, Scientists, Leaders, Musicians, Politicians and Athletes

The following people made their mark on both the local and international scenes. They are just some of many famous Pakistanis who have lifted Pakistan’s name worldwide and made a difference in our world. Their purpose and stories inspired awe if not greatness.

:: List of Famous People from Pakistan ::

Sir Muhammad Iqbal
Commonly known as Allama Iqbal (Allama meaning “The Learned One”) in Pakistan, he was a Lahori Muslim poet, philosopher and politician in British India. He wrote his works in Persian and Urdu. Considered the national poet of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal’s poetry has also been translated into several European languages where his works were famous during the early part of the 20th century.

Mohammad Abdus Salam
Theoretical physicist and astrophysicist Abdus Salam holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani and the first Muslim Nobel Laureate to receive the prize in the Sciences. Even today, Salam is considered one of the most influential scientists and physicists in Pakistan.

:: Famous Pakistani Cricketers/Cricket Players ::

Abdul Qadir
Considered to be the best leg spinner in the 1980s and 1990s, Abdul Qadir became one of the most loved cricketers, not only in Pakistan, but around the world. Abdul Qadir was a permanent member of the Pakistan national team. In the latter part of his career, Qadir suffered serious leg injuries which kept him away from the cricketing scene in the early 1990s. Qadir played first-class cricket for twenty years, finishing with 960 wickets at the bowling average of 23.24.

Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad is Pakistan’s leading run scorer in Test cricket. He has served as a captain of the Pakistan national cricket team. He is widely known for his big Six against India in 1986 where 4 runs were required out of 1 ball. After his playing career, he has remained the coach of Pakistan cricket team at various occasions, as well as held positions in the Pakistan Cricket Board. He had three coaching stints with the Pakistan national team.

Saeed Anwar
A left-hander, former opening batsman Saeed Anwar is most notable for scoring 194 runs against India in Chennai in 1997, the previous highest and now the second highest joint individual score in a One Day International.

Wasim Akram
Akram is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in cricket. He holds the world record for most wickets in List A cricket with 881 and is second only to Sri Lankan off-spin bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of One Day International wickets with 502. He is considered to be one of the founders and perhaps the finest exponent of reverse swing bowling.

Zaheer Abbas
Regarded as one of the finest batsman produced by Pakistan, Zaheer Abbas is widely known as the “Asian Bradman”, a reference to former Australian great Sir Donald Bradman. He is among few professional cricketers who used to wear spectacles. Abbas had two stints as captain of the national team in 1981 and 1984. He retired from international cricket in 1985, and has officiated as a match referee in one Test and three ODI matches. He has also worked as the manager of the national team.

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi is the current ODI and Twenty20 captain of the Pakistani national team in the international circuit. He is known for his aggressive batting style, and currently holds the highest career strike rate in the history of international cricket. Afridi also holds the record for the fastest one day century which he made in his debut innings in his second one day international, as well as scoring 32 runs in a single over, the second highest scoring over ever in an ODI. He also holds the distinction of having hit the most number of sixes in the history of One Day International cricket. In a survey taken in 2007, Afridi was named as the most popular cricketer in Pakistan.