Pakistan cricket legends invited to historic 150th Anniversary Test at MCG

LAHORE: Three of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing icons, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, have been invited to attend the historic 150th Anniversary Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in March 2027.

The landmark fixture, scheduled for March 11 to 15, will celebrate 150 years of Test cricket, bringing together some of the biggest names in the history of the game. Cricket Australia is planning a grand gathering of international cricket legends to mark the occasion.

The MCG hosted the first-ever Test match between Australia and England in March 1877, with the hosts securing a 45-run victory. Remarkably, Australia repeated the same winning margin during the Centenary Test at the same venue in 1977.

The invitations extended to the three Pakistani legends reflect their outstanding contributions to international cricket and their place among the sport’s most respected figures.

Why Pakistan’s three legends made the guest list

All three former Pakistan captains are members of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Wasim Akram received the honour in 2009, Waqar Younis in 2013 and Zaheer Abbas in 2020.

Cricket Australia’s guest list includes living male and female Hall of Fame inductees, former Test captains, former Australian and English players, and members of the teams that participated in the 1977 Centenary Test.

More than 100 former cricketers and international legends have reportedly confirmed their attendance. Organisers have also extended an invitation to King Charles III through the Australian and British governments, with hopes that he will attend the opening day.

Zaheer Abbas: The Asian Bradman

Known for his elegant batting style and remarkable consistency, Zaheer Abbas remains one of Pakistan’s most celebrated batsmen.

He scored 5,062 runs in 78 Test matches, including 12 centuries. He also became the first Asian batsman to score 100 first-class centuries, earning him the famous nickname ‘Asian Bradman’.

Beyond his playing career, Zaheer continued serving cricket in an administrative role and became International Cricket Council president for the 2015-16 term.

Wasim Akram: The MCG’s unforgettable hero

For Wasim Akram, the Melbourne Cricket Ground holds a special place in his cricketing journey.

During the 1992 World Cup final against England, the left-arm fast bowler produced one of the most memorable spells in cricket history, dismissing Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with consecutive deliveries.

His performance helped Pakistan secure their maiden World Cup title, while Wasim was named Player of the Final.

He finished his Test career with 414 wickets in 104 matches and claimed another 502 wickets in One-Day Internationals, establishing himself as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.

Waqar Younis: Master of reverse swing

Waqar Younis formed the legendary ‘Two Ws’ partnership with Wasim Akram, creating one of the most feared fast-bowling combinations in international cricket.

Famous for his devastating reverse swing and toe-crushing yorkers, Waqar dismantled batting line-ups across the world.

He claimed 373 wickets in 87 Test matches and later served Pakistan cricket as captain, head coach and bowling coach.

Together, Wasim and Waqar transformed Pakistan’s fast-bowling reputation and left a lasting influence on the modern game.

A historic Test with a modern twist

The anniversary match will also break new ground as the first men’s day-night Test at the MCG, featuring the pink ball under floodlights.

The fixture has already generated significant public interest, prompting Cricket Australia to introduce a public ticket ballot for the first time in its history. More than 125,000 tickets had reportedly been sold by March 2026, with strong demand from overseas supporters, particularly in the United Kingdom.

The match will also extend Australia’s home cricket season, becoming the country’s latest men’s Test since the 1978-79 series against Pakistan.

A proud moment for Pakistan cricket

Pakistan made its Test debut in 1952 and has produced generations of internationally recognised cricketers. From Zaheer Abbas’s batting excellence to the extraordinary fast-bowling partnership of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, the country has played an important role in shaping modern cricket.

Although Pakistan will not feature in the anniversary fixture, the presence of its three legendary players at the MCG will give the country a special place in the celebrations.

Their participation will highlight Pakistan’s contribution to 150 years of Test cricket and offer fans an opportunity to see some of the game’s most influential figures reunited at one of cricket’s most historic venues.