One of cricket’s finest opening batsmen was born on this day in Karachi and would go on to lead a nation.

Anwar, who turns 49 today, was a force for Pakistan at the crease, scoring 4,052 runs with 11 centuries in 55 Test matches and 8,824 runs with 20 centuries in 247 ODIs – the most by a Pakistan player to this day.

He produced several marvellous innings, including 169 runs in his third Test against New Zealand in 1994, 176 against England at The Oval in 1996 and 188 – his highest Test score – against India in 1999.

His most notable innings also came against rivals India in Chennai in 1997, when he smacked 194 runs for the highest individual ODI score at the time and now joint seventh highest.

Anwar captained Pakistan briefly as well in seven Tests and 11 ODIs before retiring from international cricket in 2003.

More sport icons birthdays on this day;

1974: Tim Henman, retired English tennis player who reached six Grand Slam semi-finals (42).

1975: Derek Lee, American former MLB first baseman who hit 331 home runs and was a two-time All-Star (41).

1979: Massimo Maccarone, Italian footballer for Empoli and Middlesbrough. Won two caps for the Azzurri (37).

1990: John Wall, American basketball player for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and three-time All-Star (26).