1996-98: Pakistan Captain
Sohail captained Pakistan in six Tests in 1998, becoming the first Pakistani captain to defeat South Africa in a Test match.[1] He captained Pakistan in 22 One-day Internationals from 1996 to 1998, winning nine matches and averaging 41.5 with the bat.[2]
Career Highlights and Controversies
Aamer played a big part in Pakistan's World Cup triumph in 1992, and famously told Ian Botham that he might want to send his mother-in-law in to bat after Botham was controversially given out for 0 in the final. However, Sohail's most infamous moment on the cricket field was in the 1996 World Cup Quarter Final versus arch rivals India in Bangalore. Aamer Sohail was captaining the team and Pakistan were chasing a relatively large total of 287 in 50 overs. Sohail with opening batting partner Saeed Anwar had got Pakistan off to a flying start. With the score at 109-1, and with Saeed Anwar (48) back in the pavilion, Sohail smashed a delivery from Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad through the covers for four. Both players had words which ended with Sohail pointing his finger at Prasad. The next delivery Prasad clean bowled Sohail and triggered a batting collapse which ultimately caused Pakistan to lose the game and be eliminated from the competition. However the loss was due to other reasons, which included Wasim Akram leaving the captaincy due to mysterious reasons on the day of the quarterfinals. The five batsmen after Sohail, Inzamam, Ijaz, Saleem and Javed all played poorly. This match remained a controversial one, as Aamir Sohail blew the horn for players involved in Match Fixing.[3][4]
Sohail was thrown into the heart of the match-fixing scandal that rocked cricket in the 1990s; as captain of the national team he was one of the whistle-blowers, a decision that may have negatively affected his international career.[5]
Broadcasting Career
After retiring from cricket in 2001, Sohail became chief selector for the national team, his tenure ending in January 2004 when he was replaced by former national team wicketkeeper Wasim Bari. He continues to work as a cricket broadcaster.
Preceded by
Rameez Raja Pakistan Cricket Captain
1998-1999 Succeeded by
Wasim Akram 
