Imran Khan vs Waqar Younis

[PlayerComparisons]

.

 

[Johan]

No, this is not close.

 

[kyear2]

No, this is not close.

Not nearly.

 

[number11]

Imran was better, but Waqar is an ATG. Prime Waqar is as good as a bowler can be. He was a force of nature until 92/3. Overall though, Imran as he also had an insane prime.
I always think it is only valid to compare players at their best - as that is how we envision these guys in the H2H comparisons.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

No, this is not close.

Why?

 

[Johan]

Why?

Imran had a monster prime, averaging 4 points lower than prime Waqar

1981-1986 — 27 matches, 154 wickets@14.8, 11 fifers in 46 innings, 3 tenfers.

so Waqar doesn't even have prime cope here, and Waqar outside his prime was an Andy Caddick level bowler while Imran was not.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Imran had a monster prime, averaging 4 points lower than prime Waqar

1981-1986 — 27 matches, 154 wickets@14.8, 11 fifers in 46 innings, 3 tenfers.

so Waqar doesn't even have prime cope here, and Waqar outside his prime was an Andy Caddick level bowler while Imran was not.

I see

 

[Coronis]

Imran had a monster prime, averaging 4 points lower than prime Waqar

1981-1986 — 27 matches, 154 wickets@14.8, 11 fifers in 46 innings, 3 tenfers.

so Waqar doesn't even have prime cope here, and Waqar outside his prime was an Andy Caddick level bowler while Imran was not.

Imran outside that prime you’ve listed…

61 matches 208 wickets @ 28.71

It follows that a player who had a better prime will be worse outside of it if their overall stats are similar.

Plus you know, in his prime he was barely playing tbh. 27/46 tests? I do love an available player..

 

[Johan]

Imran outside that prime you’ve listed…

61 matches 208 wickets @ 28.71

my point was mainly Immy's prime was higher, and his decline/inferiority was lesser

Prime Imran — 27 matches, 154 wickets@14.8,
Prime Waqar — 31 matches, 184 wickets@18.4,

Imran (out of that prime) — 61 matches, 208 wickets @28.7,
Waqar (out of that prime) — 56 matches, 183 wickets@28.5, [with suffecient 2002 Bangladesh bashing]

Imran just wins this very cleanly as even outside his peak he has match winning tenfers in Windies and Australia.

 

[subshakerz]

Imran outside that prime you’ve listed…

61 matches 208 wickets @ 28.71

It follows that a player who had a better prime will be worse outside of it if their overall stats are similar.

Plus you know, in his prime he was barely playing tbh. 27/46 tests? I do love an available player..

Injured due to shin broke break in between for two years 83 to 85. Similar to Lillees mid career back injury otherwise Imran was generally fit.

Still can use numbers from late 79 to 83, and it's still a better peak than Waqars frankly IMO.

And I don't see the point in penalising a player for a better prime if they achieve new ungodly levels of cricket and maintain overall worldclass numbers.

 

[number11]

Both gents were unbelievable in at their best. 2 of the greatest sights cricket has ever seen.

 

[kyear2]

Imran and not close. Top 10 bowler of all time.