Cheltenham Cricket Society launched its 2026/27 season with a special late summer presentation featuring Pakistan and Gloucestershire legend Zaheer Abbas. Author of the recently issued book “From A to Z: A Life in Cricket”, Zaheer was interviewed by his biographer, Matt Thacker.
Born a few weeks before the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, amidst turbulent and often violent political change, Zaheer recalled his humble beginnings and the obvious talent for batting that was recognised from a very early age.
Zaheer spoke proudly of his father’s early prediction that he would become a cricketer and play at Lord’s and how he went on to fulfil that prediction – not only representing Pakistan, but by playing at Lord’s on numerous occasions. More recently, Zaheer returned to Lord’s where he was invited to ring the famous “five-minute” bell ahead of the second England v Pakistan Test match in August 2026.
Zaheer reflected on his international career with Pakistan, as well as his involvement in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, where he was selected for the Rest of the World XI. He also recalled meeting the legendary Don Bradman after his selection for the World XI. Bradman famously asked to inspect Zaheer’s wrists, curious to discover the secret behind his elegant and prolific run-scoring style.
Zaheer spoke most fondly about his 13-year tenure with Gloucestershire, where he chose to remain steadfastly loyal despite other Pakistani stars moving to potentially more lucrative counties. Joining Gloucestershire in 1972, he scored more than a thousand runs in the majority of his thirteen seasons. He also amassed more than 2,000 runs in a single season on two occasions, in 1976 and 1981.
During his thirteen years with Gloucestershire, Zaheer played 206 first-class matches, scoring more than 16,000 runs. He averaged 49.79, hitting 49 centuries and 76 fifties. Zaheer was also the only player to have scored a century and a double century in a first-class match on four occasions, finishing each of those eight innings not out.
Zaheer shared some light-hearted anecdotes about his iconic spectacles and the eyesight problems he experienced early in his career – something he shared with Sir Geoffrey Boycott, who opted to switch to contact lenses.
The story even caught the attention of then Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who took a personal interest in the star batsman’s eyesight problems. Bhutto arranged for specialist medical advice and encouraged Zaheer to switch to contact lenses and sweetening the proposal with a property deal. Zaheer, however, chose to remain bespectacled due to the discomfort of wearing contact lenses.
As always, the speaker session concluded with a Q&A from an inquisitive audience. Almost as if it were a quick-fire session, Zaheer answered each question without hesitation, succinctly and to the point. Such as;
What is your favourite bat?
“Whichever one scored me a hundred.”
Who was your toughest opponent?
“Malcolm Marshall. He was the quickest bowler, especially when playing without helmets.”
Who was your favourite teammate?
“Mike Procter – my favourite player to bat with.”
Which player had the best technique, and who did you try to emulate?
“Barry Richards.”
At 79 years old, and having survived four bouts of Covid-19, Zaheer expressed his gratitude simply to be alive. Zaheer was joined towards the end of the evening by his wife, Sameena, who spoke warmly about his life today. His priority now is to take life a little easier, while occasionally attempting golf – although he readily admitted that he is not very good at it. Sameena recalled Zaheer complaining about a game where you spend four or five hours hitting a stationary ball, only to end up with backache!
It was truly a rare opportunity for CCS members to spend an evening in the company of a special and true legend of the game – an occasion that will undoubtedly remain long in the memory of all who were present.
CCS Treasurer John Gordon concluded a memorable evening with a vote of thanks to Zaheer for the joy he has brought to Gloucestershire cricket fans like himself, and to cricket admirers everywhere.
Sushil Sidhu Sep 2026