This is the second article in the series of all rounders and we have a good one like all of these will be because all 4 of these greats are the best in history and in this article we will talk about Imran Khan vs Ian Botham. They are the 2 greatest all Rounders from Pakistan and England and it will be fun to look at their stats.
Before we look into their stats and compare these 2 legends, I just want to say how unlucky I feel that I was not able to watch any of these 4 plays live on TV and it will always be one of my regrets as a cricket fan. So, with that being said let’s get into the stats Comparison.
Imran Khan
As we have talked before about this Champion player, Imran Khan was the man who changed Pakistan cricket forever and he was the one who brought the much needed respect from the other nations to Pakistan. Imran Khan was single handedly responsible for the revival of Pakistan cricket.
Also Read | Rahul Dravid vs Brian Lara – Stats Comparison as Batter
Test Cricket
Imran Khan had a remarkable test career because not only was he the Captain but also the lead fast bowler in the team. Imran Khan played 88 Test Matches for Pakistan. He scored 3807 runs at a good average of 37.69 and he also made 6 Test hundreds with a highest score of 136. As a fast bowler he was outstanding as he took 362 test wickets which is among the most for Pakistan and he had a bowling average of 22.81 with 23 Five wicket hauls.
ODI Cricket
Imran Khan did not play many ODIs but the ones he played, he made sure to leave a lasting legacy in ODI Cricket as well. He played 175 ODIs for Pakistan and he made 3709 runs at an average of 33.41. He Scored 1 ODI Hundred and a highest score of 102*. And as a fast bowler he took 182 wickets in ODIs at an average of 26.61.
Format | Test Cricket | ODIs |
Matches | 88 | 175 |
Runs scored | 3807 | 3709 |
Batting average | 37.69 | 33.41 |
100s/50s | 6/18 | 1/19 |
Top score | 136 | 102* |
Balls Bowled | 19458 | 7461 |
Wickets | 362 | 182 |
Bowling average | 22.81 | 26.61 |
5 Wickets in an innings | 23 | 1 |
10 Wickets in a match | 6 | 0 |
Best bowling | 8/58 | 6/14 |
Also Read | Ricky Ponting vs Jacques Kallis – Stats Comparison as Batter
Ian Botham
Sir Ian Botham is the greatest all rounder to have ever played for England and that is a huge statement because of the rich history of English cricket. All the young all round players took inspiration from him as to how to play cricket and he was their role model. Ian Botham was a once in a generation cricketer and his stats do him justice.
Also Read | Brian Lara vs Mahela Jayawardene - Stats Comparison as Batter
Test Cricket
Ian Botham had one of the most extraordinary test careers for England. He played a total of 102 Test Matches and in those he made 5200 runs at an average of 33.54. He also made 14 Test hundreds which is amazing and a highest score of 208. He was an incredible batter. As a fast bowler he was equally great as he took 383 Test Wickets at an average of 28.40 with 27 Five wicket hauls in his test career. Simply sensational.
ODI Cricket
Ian Botham was not as prolific in ODIs but still he made an impact and had a good run. He played 116 ODIs for England in which he made 2113 runs at an average of 23.21. His highest score was 79. And as a fast bowler he took 145 wickets in ODIs and he had an average of 28.54.
Check here Top 5 Ian Botham Best Performances
Format | Test Cricket | ODIs |
Matches | 102 | 116 |
Runs scored | 5200 | 2113 |
Batting average | 33.54 | 23.21 |
100s/50s | 14/22 | 0/9 |
Top score | 208 | 79 |
Balls Bowled | 21815 | 6271 |
Wickets | 383 | 145 |
Bowling average | 28.40 | 28.54 |
5 Wickets in an innings | 27 | 0 |
10 Wickets in a match | 4 | 0 |
Best bowling | 8/34 | 4/31 |
Also Read: Sachin Tendulkar vs Rahul Dravid - Stats Comparison as Batter
Stats Comparison
When we compare the stats in test cricket it is a close contest but in the batting Ian Botham beat the edge as he has made more than 1400+ runs than Imran Khan but when it comes to Bowling then it Is very close. In ODIs Imran Khan has the edge as he has made 1400+ runs in ODIs and in wickets he has 30+ more wickets.
Also Read: Kapil Dev vs Imran Khan - Stats Comparison as All Rounder
