Aside from Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa, there aren’t many top class strikers left in the Premier League. Even Costa’s top class status is under threat should his struggles continue, though he should be afforded more time to prove himself before writing the fiery Spaniard off completely.

However, this famous old league has had its fair share of truly world class forwards during its time, as fans and pundits alike marvelled at their excellence.

The fact that not all of these players plied their trade for the established ‘top four’ clubs means fans from up and down the country can look back with fond memories at such a dazzling array of world class strikers.

Whether it be a cult-hero or genuine superstar, the Premier League has hosted some of the biggest names in their finest hour since its inception back in 1992.

Here’s a look at the top 50 to have played on these shores…

50. JAMES BEATTIE

The former Saints hero was red hot on the South Coast, scoring 23 goals in the 2003/03 season as the club marched to the FA Cup final. Earning an England call up, the former Blackburn youngster was the first talisman of the post Matt Le Tiss era in Southampton.

Though he was unable to replicate his form after a £6m move to Everton in 2005, he will be remembered fondly by most fans.

Endeared himself even further to Southampton fans while manager of Accrington Stanley. Four fans who had travelled to see the lower league outfit against Portsmouth in 2014 were met with a late game cancellation, and Beattie arranged for them to see Southampton vs Burnley the same day in Premier League action.

49. DANIEL STURRIDGE

Despite his constant – and I mean constant – injury problems, the England striker has proved to be one of the most lethal frontmen in the country. A promising teenager, Chelsea snapped him up from Manchester City though he found first-team opportunities hard to come by.

He won the Champions League and the FA Cup in West London, but a £12m move to Anfield in 2013 has helped him truly realise his potential. 21 goals alongside Luis Suarez propelled the Reds to within touching distance of a first Premier League title.

If he can overcome his injuries, the 26-year old will be hugely important for both club and country.

48. YAKUBU

The Nigerian was a revelation after Harry Redknapp plucked him from the Israeli league back in 2003. He was key in Portsmouth’s rise as a Premier League player, netting 29 times across two years at Fratton Park.

Steve McClaren then splashed out £7.5m to bring him to Middlesbrough in 2005, where he helped the side reach the UEFA Cup final that year. Everton then splashed out over £11m to sign him two years later, though injuries played their part.

A massive success.

47. DARREN BENT

Quite a list of clubs for the Derby man. A youngster with huge potential, he is an eye watering total transfer fees to his name, around £62m. The two biggest moves were from Charlton to Tottenham in 2007 for around £16.5m, and from Sunderland to Villa in a huge £24m deal.

He was one of the most lethal strikers around during the ‘00s, earning 13 England caps, scoring one goal. Infamously scored the ‘beach ball’ goal against Liverpool in 2009 while in the North East with Sunderland. Now struggling to get in the Derby team.

However, 106 Premier League goals is a fantastic return.

46. EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR

One of the most enigmatic strikers to play on these shores. On his day, the towering Togolese forward was simply unplayable – for most of his early days at Arsenal, in fact. Brought to the club in 2006 for just £3m, he would leave for £25m to Manchester City after 46 league goals.

Was fantastic in his early City days, scoring in his first four games with the club, including the infamous goal against Arsenal where he ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of their fans.

Things quickly turned sour at the Etihad though, and was sent to Spurs on loan. Excellent during his loan spell, scoring 17 times in 33 games. Failed to replicate such form after making the deal permanent, barring a brief (cringe-worthy) renaissance under Tim Sherwood.

Recently released, the 31-year old should be approached with caution.

45. DION DUBLIN

Though he couldn’t quite cut it at Old Trafford after some free scoring in the lower leagues thanks to Eric Cantona and the like, Dublin established himself as a key player at Coventry City during the early part of the Premier League era.

59 goals in four seasons at Coventry was an excellent return, finishing as joint top scorer in the league in 1997/98 along with Michael Owen and Chris Sutton.

A broken neck in 1999 while with Aston Villa somewhat curtailed his scoring exploits, and moved to a centre back in the latter stages of his career.

44. PETER CROUCH

The former England man has been a fixture of Premier League attacks for well over a decade now, turning out for a number of clubs. The 6ft 7inch frontman has made a career out of his height, scoring the most headed goals in Premier League history, with 47.

His good work on the South Coast led to a £7m to Liverpool, scoring 22 goals in 85 games as a back-up to Fernando Torres, while winning the FA Cup and finishing runner up in the Champions League final.

Later moved to Portsmouth for around £11m, netting 11 times in his year as a seasoned professional there. A return to Tottenham, where he started as a youth player, came in 2009 and it was he who scored the goal that saw them qualify for the Champions League.

Now with Stoke, he continues to defy logic and score at the highest level. 22 goals in 42 caps for England isn’t a bad record either. Loves a robotic dance.

43. MARK HUGHES

Before he was a rather miserable looking Stoke City boss, the Welshman had quite the career as a player. Helped the Red Devils secure the first two Premier League titles with 28 goals across two years in his second spell at the club, after previously playing for Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Joined Chelsea in 1995, sparking up a great partnership with Gianfranco Zola and winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup. Later moved to Southampton, Everton and Blackburn, though the goals dried up with age.

A glittering career, he has become a solid Premier League manager. Just wish he would cheer up.

42. DIMITAR BERBATOV

Should really be higher up in the list for a man of his immense skill. However, the Bulgarian’s utterly laid back style probably held him – though it made him just so interesting.

The enigmatic star arrived in England with Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 27 league goals in his first two years in London, and helped them win the League Cup in 2008. A mega £30m to Man United followed later in 2008, and was a key part in perhaps their last great side under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning two league titles.

Famous for his hat-trick over Liverpool with the Red Devils, including a spectacular overhead kick. One of the few players to score five goals in a single match, when he demolished Blackburn Rovers. Later moved to Fulham, scoring a further 19 times.

41. CRAIG BELLAMY

Quite the journeyman. The fiery Welsh forward became Coventry’s record signing before their relegation for around £6m in 2000, and later moved to Newcastle.

Despite scoring just 28 league goals over four seasons in the North East, he established himself as a key player in the side next to Alan Shearer. His discipline led to his time there turning sour, before scoring 13 in his season with Blackburn Rovers.

Later moved to Liverpool (twice), infamously scoring at the Nou Camp against Barcelona, West Ham and Manchester City. Always on the brink of another bust up, the Welshman continued to operate at a reasonably high level, before finishing his career with hometown club Cardiff City during their stint in the Premier League.

Scored two against Manchester United while at the Etihad, during the 4-3 loss in 2009.

40. EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN

One of the Icelandic players to play in the Premier League, the ‘Ice Man’ was a key fixture at Chelsea just before, and just after, the game changing takeover by Roman Abramovich. Formed a great partnership with Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink during the early ‘00s, scoring an incredible overhead kick against Leeds.

Underlined his importance in West London under Jose Mourinho, having kept his place in the side ahead of a multitude of expensive foreign imports. Left the club for Barcelona, though returned to London with Spurs in 2010 during their Champions League campaign.

39. ALAN SMITH

Burst onto the scene as a youngster with Leeds during their final few years as a Premier League club, proving to be key their run to the Champions League semi-finals back in 2001.

Elland Road fans adored him for his high work-rate, but a move to arch rivals Man Utd in 2004 saw him labelled as a Judas by the fans who once adored him. His record of only 45 goals in the Premier League perhaps doesn’t tell the whole story, after a horrific injury in the FA Cup against Liverpool while with the Red Devils.

Later moved to Newcastle, he will be remembered as one of the shining lights in Leeds’ bleak recent history.

38. DUNCAN FERGUSON

‘Big Dunc’ was thoroughly uncompromising, one of the hardest players to effectively man mark in Premier League history. The highest scoring Scotsman in the division, with 68 goals, he was a popular figure for both Everton and Newcastle.

Known for his temper, the former Rangers man received nine red cards and a three month prison sentence for an on-field incident during his career. However, aside from his aggressive nature, he was one of the hardest target men to deal with for defenders all the way up until his retirement in 2006.

37. TONY YEBOAH

32 goals in 66 matches while with the Yorkshire giants is an excellent return from the Ghanaian forward plucked from relative obscurity in Germany.

What makes it more impressive, however, is the fact that many of his efforts were utterly spectacular. Regularly featuring in the Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season competitions during his two years in England, he is most fondly remember for THAT volley against Liverpool.

36. NIALL QUINN

Now a rather awful Sky commentator, the Irishman was a fixture in old First Division with the likes of Arsenal, and later Manchester City. However, a £1.3m move to the North East in 1996 established the big man as a key part in a Premier League side.

He scored 61 goals during his time at Sunderland, and formed a deadly partnership with Kevin Phillips during the turn of the millennium. The perfect ‘Big Man-Little Man’ combination as the towering Irishman provided knock-downs by the dozen.

A true club legend, he has operated as a player, manager and chairman at the Stadium of Light.

35. EDIN DZEKO

Found it hard to be universally celebrated behind Sergio Aguero, the Bosnian netted an impressive once every 146 mins while with Manchester City.

After a £27m move from Wolfsburg in 2011, he struggled to dislodge the superstar Argentine from the starting line-up, but still contributed hugely to their success. 50 goals in 130 appearances, including 19 in his opening 40, repaid his fee by offering an alternative as City struggled to come to terms with their new found wealth.

However, he infamously scored the equalizer against QPR in the dying moments of the last day of the 2011/12 season, as the Etihad outfit pushed for a Premier League. Aguero takes all the credit for his last gasp winner, Dzeko’s contribution is largely forgotten.

34. MARK VIDUKA

Blast from the past this one. The Australian centre-forward was highly skilled, able to ghost past defenders without any notable signs of pace.

Had to battle against weight issues for large parts of his career, he was still a joy to watch while on song. Turned out for the likes of Leeds during their success in the early noughties, before moving to Middlesbrough, spearheading them to the UEFA Cup final in 2006.

Later moved to Newcastle at the tail end of his career, but could not save them from relegation.

33. KEVIN DAVIES

A battering ram for any team he spearheaded, the £7.5m price tag that Blackburn shelled out to sign him for seemed to weigh heavy on him.

However, his time with Sam Allardyce and Bolton Wanderers ensures his place on the list. Unplayable at times, he did suffer with discipline problems, though that’s exactly the sort of attribute that made him so great.

68 goals for Bolton cemented him a club legend, as the unfancied outfit continually finished in the top 10 of the Premier League during the mid ‘00s. A bruiser, and one you wanted on your team.

Is one of the oldest ever debutants for England, he earned his first cap at 33 years of age when he came on for Peter Crouch against Montenegro in 2012.

32. EMILE HESKEY

Actually a decent player in his day, for all those laughing at his inclusion. Though he has become a comedic figure in recent times, the former England striker still boasts 110 Premier League goals during his time – mostly with hometown club Leicester City and Liverpool.

A bustling target man, he proved to be a great partner for Michael Owen at Anfield, helping the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001 after his £11m move.

Never overly prolific, the former England man still received over 60 caps for the national side.

31. ROBBIE KEANE

Now with LA Galaxy, the Irishman is an elder statesman of Premier League forwards. He played for Coventry, Leeds, Spurs, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa – scoring 126 league goals. The ex-Inter man was one of the biggest goal threats in the league for years in the mid to late 00’s.

His £19m move to Liverpool did not quite work out, but was a genuine goal threat for a number of years for the various club lucky enough to have secured his services.

30. STAN COLLYMORE

Broke the English transfer record when he joined Liverpool for £8.5m in 1995, and formed a truly deadly partnership with Robbie Fowler, leading to a stunning ratio of a goal every 2.5 games while on Merseyside.

Famously scored the winner over Newcastle United in a 4-3 victory, a game that would later be voted the greatest Premier League fixture of all time, and seriously dented the Toon’s chances of winning the league.

Personal problems arose, and was sold to Aston Villa, and though his career declined – his partnership with Fowler will be long remembered.  62 league goals is not a bad record either.

29. LES FERDINAND

Plundered 149 league goals while with the likes of QPR, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, and formed a formidable partnership with Alan Shearer on Tyneside in the late 90s.

Propelled QPR to a lofty fifth placed finish during the maiden Premier League season, with 20 goals in West London. A £6m to the North East followed, he scored 41 league goals for Newcastle – including 25 in the 1995-96 season.

Returned to London and helped Spurs stave off relegation before turning out for the likes of West Ham and Bolton.

He sadly never lifted the league title, but finished runner up twice while at St. James’. He’s now back at QPR as their Director of Football.

28. JURGEN KLINSMANN

The German was a figure of hate when he arrived in 1994, perceived to be a diver and a key part of the Germany squad that broke English hearts back at Italia 90.

All was forgiven relatively quickly as he plundered 20 league goals during the 1994-95 season, and later returned on a brief loan spell to help battle relegation three years later.

Will be remembered for his tongue-in-cheek diving celebration.

27. NICOLAS ANELKA

Who hasn’t the enigmatic Frenchman played for then? Arsene Wenger’s first great bargain, he arrived in England as 17-year old, and helped the Gunners secure a league and cup double in 1998.

Moved to Real Madrid for a huge fee, though never really worked out there. Came back for a loan spell with Liverpool, before Kevin Keegan and Man City snapped him up a whopping (then) £13m.

Continued to score and move around top European clubs, before ending up with Sam Allardyce at Bolton. Proved his career was not finished by any stretch of the imagination and was snapped up by Chelsea for £15m, helping them win a Premier League and two FA Cups during his spell back in London.

125 PL goals is not bad for a mercenary.

Probably won’t discuss his ill-fated spell at West Brom.

26. KEVIN PHILLIPS

Another of the great Premier League journeyman, ‘Super Kev’ enjoyed the finest period of his career while with Sunderland. Scored 30 goals in the 1999/00 season and finished the league’s top scorer.

Would go on to be prolific with Southampton, netting 22 times in two season while at St. Mary’s. Now a coach at Derby, he famously secured Crystal Palace’s position in the Premier League with a penalty in the Championship playoff final.

Legend.

25. CARLOS TEVEZ

Welcome to Manchester. The Argentine forward shocked the world as he arrived at West Ham in 2006, and initially flopped. However, he was key into keeping the Hammers up – much to Neil Warnock’s dismay.

He would later move to Manchester United to rub shoulders with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, winning two league titles and the Champions League.

He would then make a controversial switch to Manchester City, adding another league and an FA Cup to an impressive haul.

24. JERMAIN DEFOE

Despite his ageing years, the former England man remains just as deadly in front of goal with Sunderland, proved with his stunning strike in the North East derby last season.

Shrugged off suggestions the £6m price Spurs paid for him back in 2004 was too pricey by netting 20 times across his opening two seasons at White Hart Lane and proving to be one of their key players. A brief spell at Portsmouth yielded yet more goals, before a triumphant return to North London.

It was during his second spell at the club where the ex-England man flourished, being a key fixture in their Champions League run. One of the few players to score in 15 successive Premier League seasons, and has been capped at international level over 50 times.

130 PL goals to his name and still going strong.

23. OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

The ultimate ‘Super Sub’, Solskjaer is perhaps most famous for his Champions League winning goal in 1999, in the dying embers of Man Utd’s cup final tie with Bayern Munich.

Despite his unfortunate injury problems, the Norwegian supplemented the famous ‘Yorkie and Cole’ front line at Old Trafford for a number of years, before acting as a willing backup for Ruud van Nistelrooy later on.

91 league goals for the Red Devils, with many of them coming late on in a game to secure crucial wins. Famously netted four goals after coming on as a sub against Nottingham Forest in 1999.

22. PAOLO DI CANIO

Before the lively Italian was a god-awful manager, he was an excellent footballer. 14 goals in his first season following a £4.2m move to Sheffield Wednesday back in 1997 made him a fans favourite, oh as well as shoving a referee, of course.

He may have had one of the shortest fuses going, but the former Celtic and AC Milan scored some absolutely glorious goals during his time in the Premier League. None more famous than THAT breathtaking volley against Wimbledon during the 1999/00 season.

Netted 48 times across five seasons after moving to West Ham, though suffered relegation with the club in 2003. Then moved to Charlton for a year without pulling up any trees.

Came back to the league to manage Sunderland, and despite winning 3-0 over Newcastle at St. James’ Park, was absolutely horrendous in the hot-seat.

21. CHRIS SUTTON

Took to the Premier League like a duck to water as he fired Norwich into a surprising third place finish during the opening campaign.

Broke the English transfer record with a move to free-spending Blackburn in 1994 for £5m, and formed the deadly ‘SAS’ partnership with Alan Shearer as the Ewood Park outfit secured a Premier League title against all odds.

Couldn’t quite replicate the form at Chelsea, though he did net a further 18 times to finish joint top scorer in 1997/98 season.

Later found a lot success north of the border with Celtic.

20. FERNANDO TORRES

The Liverpool days, obviously.

What a fantastic player he was in his day, powering through backlines with ease. Instantly shrugged off a £20m price tag in 2007 when arrived on Merseyside, and became one of their greatest forwards in the modern era.

65 goals in just 102 games for the club, with quite a few over arch rivals Man United – one particular effort thoroughly embarrassing Nemanja Vidic.

Injuries took their toll and the World Cup winner lost a bit of his pace, and struggled for form at Chelsea following a mega £50m move in 2011. The price tag seemed to weigh heavy on him, but his impact at Anfield will not be forgotten.

19. TEDDY SHERINGHAM

355 goals across 24 years as a professional footballer is quite the career. Finished as the top scorer in the first ever Premier League season with 22 goals, while with Forest and then Spurs.

Continued to be one of the most prolific scorers in the league, basing his game on intelligence and understanding of the game. Replaced Eric Cantona and Man Utd in 1997 and levelled the scores late on in the Champions League final of 1999.

Returned to Tottenham in 2001 to make a further 70 appearances, and later moved to Portsmouth and West Ham. Now in charge of Stevenage, trying to cut his teeth as a manager.

PFA Player of the Year in 2001, three Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 1 Champions League and 147 PL goals – quite the career.

18. JIMMY FLOYD-HASSELBAINK

Plucked from obscurity when he arrived at Leeds for around £2m from Portuguese outfit Boavista, and went on to score 34 goals over two seasons at Elland Road. Following a brief spell with Atletico Madrid after they shelled out £12m to buy him, the Dutchman wound up at Chelsea for a then (rather paltry now) £15m.

Established himself as one of the top strikers in the country while in London, becoming one of the key players just before the Roman Empire took over. Moved to the North East with Middlesbrough after the Russian’s riches got too much for his aging legs, and scored a further 22.

128 PL goals in total, and one of the best strikers around during the early to mid ‘00s.

17. ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Another Flying Dutchman here, in former Arsenal and Man Utd star Robin van Persie. One of Arsene Wenger’s great buys in North London, as he arrived for just £2.75m in 2004 as a youngster.

Always on the cusp of being a world class forward, the Netherland’s all-time top scorer was always battling injuries for large parts of his career. His stellar season in 2011-12, where he scored 30 times to finish top scorer in the league, earned him a controversial switch to Man Utd.

He led the Red Devils to a Premier League title, the last under Sir Alex Ferguson, as they wrestled the crown back from Man City. The forward was just as good at Old Trafford, having seemingly perfected the art of volleying.

His career may have fizzled out under Louis van Gaal, but one of the best foreign imports the league has seen.

10th highest goal scorer in PL history with 144.

16. DWIGHT YORKE

Plundered 73 league goals for Aston Villa in the early stages of the burgeoning Premier League, before moving to Manchester United in 1998.

The Trinidad and Tobago stalwart formed a telepathic partnership with Andy Cole at Old Trafford, helping the Red Devils win a stunning treble during his first season in the North West. Deadly in front of goal, he netted 29 times in his opening season – and would win a further two Premier League titles there.

15. LUIS SUAREZ

The only way Luis Suarez could have left a better impression at Liverpool, is if the club had managed to win the league during 2013/14. The Uruguayan was truly phenomenal during his time on these shores, a talisman for the Reds and the driving force behind getting them to within touching distance of a first Premier League title.

Highly controversial, with accusations of diving, racial abuse and infamously biting Branislav Ivanovic. Still, a genuinely world class forward who captured the hearts of the Kop.

69 goals in 110 games is an astonishing record, largely playing with some average players during his time on Merseyside. Not the most likeable of characters, but one of the greatest players this league has ever seen.

14. GIANFRANCO ZOLA

Before Chelsea were a big deal, the skilful Italian was pulling up trees at Stamford Bridge and helping them remain somewhat competitive.

Described by Sir Alex Ferguson as ‘a clever little so-and-so’, the £4.5m signing from Napoli inspired the club to FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup during his time there.

Voted as the club’s best ever player in 2003, the little wizard was gloriously skilful, and a talisman at Stamford Bridge. Helped create a classy, cosmopolitan identity within the club, which is arguably why Roman Abramovich took over in the first place.

A hugely important player for Chelsea in many ways.

13. MATTHEW LE TISSIER

Southampton, in Matt Le Tiss’ day, were a different animal to the one knocking on the top four door now. The South Coast side were relatively small back then, though they did remain competitive – largely due to the efforts of the man they named ‘Le God.’

One of the most naturally gifted players this country has ever produced, he is revered by Barcelona legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta to this day. Effortless at times, the ultimate ‘one club man’ scored some absolutely incredible goals during his career.

He could immaculately control a ball with ease, and had a blistering shot on him. His record of 48 goals from 49 penalties is absolutely outstanding.

Revered by Saints fans, it’s a shame he was never given a proper go of it by a number of England managers.

12. SERGIO AGUERO

Enjoyed perhaps the greatest debut in Premier League history, with two goals and an assist during just 30 minutes on the pitch. Truly was a sign of what was to come, as the former Atletico Madrid man has proved himself to be truly world class.

84 goals and counting, in less than 130 appearances. The £38m shelled out for his services in 2011 seems to be a relative bargain for what Man City have received. Blends power, poise and pace perfectly, and is extremely prolific.

Despite injury problems, there is every chance the Argentine could finish higher on a revised edition of this list. He is by far and away the greatest striker currently plying his trade in England, and one of the best there’s been.

Will, of course, be most remembered for sensationally completing City’s comeback in the dying embers of their final game of the 2011/12 season, winning the league for the Etihad outfit.

11. ROBBIE FOWLER

Another one of the many great Liverpool strikers to play in the Premier League. One of the most natural finishers the country has ever produced, it’s easy to see why those on Merseyside call him ‘God’.

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Ruthless in front of goal, 25 strikes in his debut campaign announced Fowler, a local Scouse lad, on the Premier League stage. 28 the season after followed, and he ended up with 128 for the club across two spells.

A big money move to Leeds didn’t work out as he struggled with injuries and saw the club around him crumble. However, he still managed to score a further 15 in 31 games – just under a goal every two games.

Later moved to Manchester City, and without ever really recapturing his form, became a fans favourite. He would then sensationally return to Anfield, though the spell did not yield much in the way of on-field success.

Finished his career with a staggering 162 PL goals.

10. IAN WRIGHT

Though he made his name at Crystal Palace, before moving to Arsenal before the Premier League’s inception – the Gunners legend still earns the right to be on this list.

A prolific goal scorer, he was a huge part of Arsenal’s success in the mid-90s. He could score any type of goal, and did so in abundance. 104 Premier League goals alone made up the majority of his 185 strikes as a Gunner.

Adored by fans at Highbury, the energetic frontman had a wild side, but was on the whole one of the most charismatic players in the club’s history. Moved to West Ham later on in his career, he scored a further nine times before spells at Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

9. ANDY COLE

The joint second highest ever goal scorer in Premier League history, Andy Cole had an uncanny knack to always be in the right place at the right time.

With 187 strikes for 6 clubs, he made his name mostly at Newcastle and Man United in the early ‘90s. Was the darling of the Toon Army before a shock £7m switch to Old Trafford in 1995.

Sir Alex Ferguson took his career up another level, and the ex-England man spearheaded his attack, forming an amazing partnership with Dwight Yorke. Was a huge part of the unprecedented Treble winning campaign in 1998/99.

Spells at Blackburn, Fulham, Man City and Portsmouth followed, though he was unable to really recapture the dizzying heights of his Red Devils days. One of the most lethal forwards in PL history.

8. MICHAEL OWEN

Michael Owen emerged as a fresh faced 17-year old as the new darling of the Kop. Blessed with lightning speed, the young forward had the world at his feet. In light of Robbie Fowler’s injury problems, Owen was a beacon of hope at Liverpool.

Was key in their unique treble of an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup of 2001, he is currently 7th on the all-time PL top scorers list with 150. Won the Ballon d’Or that same year, and seemed to be destined for great things.

Injuries took their toll on his pace, which was a key part of his game. A deadly finisher, the player would run in behind defences and finish with ease. Oddly enough, his career started to go downhill when he moved to Real Madrid, as his powers started to wane.

Moved to Newcastle to create a dream team with Alan Shearer, though the injuries started to take over. Joined Manchester United on a free in 2008, wearing the club’s iconic Number 7 shirt, and scored the winner in a Manchester derby, along with finally winning a Premier League title.

For all his achievements, there could have been so much more to the player.

7. DIDIER DROGBA

An absolute legend at Chelsea, despite accusations his £24m price tag was overpriced for a 26-year old with injury problems. Embodied the first ten years of the Abramovich era, with his powerful play blended with undeniable skill.

Scored 104 goals in Stamford Bridge, across two spells, as he spearheaded the attack from 2004 to 2012. The Ivorian was unplayable with a fine mix of pace, power and potency. Won four Premier League titles with the club, before returning last season to win a fifth in more of a cameo role.

Simply unstoppable, he’s a legend for both club and country. Famously dragged the Blues to their first Champions League title in 2012, winning the trophy with the last ever kick of his first spell in blue, scoring the winning penalty against Bayern Munich.

Arguably Chelsea’s ever greatest player, and certainly won them their most important trophy to date.

6. WAYNE ROONEY

Like him or not, Wayne Rooney is a hugely accomplished footballer. Played in three European Cup finals, captains both club and country and recently moved level with Andy Cole as the top tier’s second highest ever goalscorer, with 187.

Who said he never fulfilled his potential?

The Red Devils captain burst onto the scene with a stunning goal against Arsenal, and has continued to thrill us since. Almost a decade and a half has passed since then, and Rooney has won the league five times, as well as two League Cups, and a Champions League.

A different animal these days, but the England captain has been a huge part of this division. The sheer number of great goals is hard to believe – the first Everton goal, the volley against Newcastle, the overhead kick in a Manchester derby, the half-way line goal.

Absolutely class and has only just turned 30. True legend.

5. RUUD VAN NISTELROOY

Before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi redefined the art of goal scoring, Ruud van Nistelrooy was perhaps the best out and out forward the league has ever seen. 150 goals across just five seasons in England, after the Dutchman saw his move delayed a year following a serious injury with PSV.

A poacher in the highest sense of the word, ‘Ruuuuuud’ as fans called him was simply deadly inside the box, netting 95 times in the Premier League. Scored in eight consecutive Premier League games, and broke his own record soon enough by netting in ten games in a row. A great goal scorer, rather than a scorer of great goals.

Helped the Red Devils wrestle the Premier League crown back from Arsenal, he only scored one goal from outside the box during his time here. Fell out with Ferguson in the end, like so many of the greats, the Dutchman was arguably their last great traditional centre-forward.

4. DENNIS BERGKAMP

Another Dutchman, and one of the classiest players to ever play on these shores. His impact following his arrival at Arsenal helped carve the slick, stylish identity they still have today.

Elegant and effortless, he was a huge signing in 1995 for Bruce Ricoh, as the Gunners shelled out over three times their transfer record to sign him from Inter Milan. The non-Flying Dutchman was able to outwit defenders at will, with hugely intelligent play and skill to be marvelled at.

A huge part of both Arsene Wenger’s league and cup double campaigns, Bergkamp was also a key member in the Invincibles team of 2004. A hugely important signing, he made the Gunners cosmopolitan and stylish while linking up with the likes of Ian Wright, and later Thierry Henry.

Scored an unbelievable hat-trick against Leicester in 1997, and defied footballing logic with an astonishing flick to humiliate Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas and slot home against the Toon Army back in 2002.

Would be the club’s best ever striker were it not for one particular Frenchman.

3. ERIC CANTONA

Arrived at Old Trafford during the dawn of the Premier League, and helped the Red Devils win the first title. Enigmatic, unique, excellent – there are just not enough words to describe ‘King Cantona’.

Inspired the Old Trafford outfit to the maiden PL title, and was instrumental in retaining it the season after, with 18 goals. Despite his many, many (many) flaws, the Frenchman is one of the most important players in the club’s illustrious history – and all for £1.2m!

His third season was marred by his outrageous karate kick on a Crystal Palace supporter, though he returned to captain the side after heavy punishments. Helped the side catch Newcastle at the top of the league with some crucial, breath-taking goals.

Though he fell out of love with the game, and retired relatively prematurely, we will remember some of the most iconic goals in PL history. The chip against Sunderland, the blistering shot over Wimbledon and THAT super cool ‘collar up’ celebration.

2. THIERRY HENRY

The greatest foreign striker in Premier League history, and probably the most technically gifted. A winger of little note when he arrived for £11m from Juventus n 1999, he left as the club’s highest goalscorer and the greatest player in their history.

He had the lot; he was fast, powerful, skilful. He could score any type of goal, from any type of angle. Quite simply – Henry had ‘Va Va Voom.’

Watching him in full flow was like poetry in motion, and he scored some of the most iconic goals in Premier League history. The spinning volley against Man Utd, the mazing runs against Spurs and Liverpool, a multitude of astonishing free-kicks, the World Cup winner simply had it all.

Won the league twice, the latter time being during the Invincibles run of 2003/04 campaign. Embodied everything about the Gunners during the time – stylish, slick, and successful. Has to be the greatest foreign important, it’s scary to think what he would be worth in the current market.

Left for Barcelona in 2007, and played in perhaps the greatest club team of all time – not to mention the fact he won a World Cup and a European Championship with France. Absolutely incredible.

1. ALAN SHEARER

The highest goal scorer in Premier League history with 260, with his nearest challenger way behind on 187. Both a scorer of great goals, and a great goalscorer, Alan Shearer is the best striker in the history of the Premier League.

Was prolific on the South Coast, before Blackburn splashed out a record £3.6m to bring him to Ewood Park in 1992. Led the side to the Premier League title, as they challenged Man United at the summit of the division. His time in Lancashire propelled him into one of the most lethal forwards in the world, scoring 112 goals in just 138 games.

Newcastle United sensationally broke the world transfer record to sign him after Euro ’96, to bring the Geordie lad to his boyhood club. He was revered as a God on Tyneside, having rejected Man United and Sir Alex Ferguson to wear the famous Number 9.

Any other trophy eluded him throughout his career, and he regularly played in mediocre sides at St. James’, but still continued to plunder goals in abundance. A classic centre-forward, he could simply do everything. Strong in the air, excellent long distance shooting and ability to hold the ball up, he rejected a swelling trophy haul in favour of being a Newcastle legend.

The best striker to ever play in the Premier League.

Somerset obtained the fifth batting point – their maximum for thefirst time this season – and secured their First Division status atthe end of the third day of their County Championship Division Twomatch against Leicestershire at Taunton.Somerset resumed on 273 for 6 and declared their innings at lunch at411 for 7 in 103 overs with Ian Blackwell scoring 109. Having startedthe day at 40, Blackwell shared a seventh wicket stand of 124 withPeter Bowler (38 not out). Jason Kerr (19 not out) and Bowler battedon for Somerset to get the fifth batting point.Leicestershire started off poorly having lost Ian Sutcliffe early.Then Darren Maddy (102) and Ben Smith (69) put on 148 for the secondwicket when Smith was out to Graham Rose. Maddy got out after scoringhis century and Darren Stevens quickly followed for a duck while AftabHabib was 34 not out at the close. Leicestershire ended the day at 233for 4 in 69 overs.

Karun Nair, who top-scored in India A’s meagre 135 on the first day in Chennai, has conceded that a total of 200 would have given his team a chance with something for the bowlers to work with. On Wednesday, Varun Aaron looked rusty after missing the first unofficial Test, bowling four no-balls and a wide, and the other bowlers did not fare much better either.Karun, though, believed that the India A bowlers would tighten things up on the second day.”Since the batsmen haven’t got too many runs, I think 200 would have been a good score for the bowlers.” Karun said. “Since the pressure of getting wickets was there, the odd loose delivery was there today. I think we will come back strong tomorrow. We will be more disciplined and bowl better tomorrow.”Karun and Naman Ojha ground 56 in 32.5 overs for the fifth wicket on a pitch that became slower as the day progressed. Karun, however, displayed more assurance, pressing forward to smother the spin and often skipping back to play late-cuts and deft dabs before a lapse in concentration resulted in his dismissal. The last five wickets tumbled for just 21 runs after Karun chipped a full delivery from Andrew Fekete to square leg for a 153-ball 50.Karun was left ruing the opportunity. “I thought I played well but I shouldn’t have got out the time I got out. I should have put my head down. Once I got a fifty, I should have gone on to get a bigger score.”No, nothing of such happened [the ball did not stop on me]. I lost a bit of concentration. I think the wicket in whole was slow, it was turning a bit.”Karun also attributed the regular fall of wickets to the relentless pressure built up by the Australia A bowlers. “We were losing wickets quite regularly,” Karun said. “What they did well was they were very disciplined and patient. They did not give any easy balls. So, it was difficult to take chances against them.”

Bangladesh A coach Heath Streak has termed the five-match tour of India as an ‘important step’ ahead of the two-match Test series at home against Australia, starting October 9. Streak believed that Bangladesh are capable of beating Australia, who find themselves 272 Tests light following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, and Shane Watson.”A tour like this is an important step for Bangladesh cricket in its continued learning curve for all formats,” Streak said. “I think everyone knows Bangladesh in Bangladesh are a tough team to beat and I think despite Australia coming, it’s no different.”They got a few inexperienced players and rely pretty heavily on their more senior players like [Steven] Smith. If they don’t play their best cricket and we play to our potential, we can beat Australia, especially in our conditions.”Bangladesh are yet to play a Test in India, but Bangladesh A have previously toured the country in 2001, 2009, and 2012. Streak identified the series as platform to get used to the conditions and build on gains, besides calling for the one-day form of the national team to be transferred to Tests.”[This is a] Very important tour for Bangladesh in terms of their progression”, Streak said. ” We are not looking at the series as a warm up. For us it’s about winning and continuing winning culture.”In a country like India, this is a great opportunity for them to expose themselves to the conditions and gain more experience. Whilst we have performed well in one-day cricket, we have still got big strides to make in the Test arena. It is a good opportunity for Bangladesh to show their improvement in Test cricket as well.”Streak also felt that the the fast-bowling department was well stocked, as it has been bolstered further by the return of Taskin Ahmed from injury. Taskin sustained a tear on his left side before the third ODI against India, but has recovered fully and is set for his first first-class match since February 2013.”[We have] Rubel [Hossain] and Taskin [Ahmed], while Mashrafe [Mortaza] is a very experienced campaigner. Mustafizur [Rahman] has come on the scene and made an impression right from the outset,” Streak said. “We have people like Shafiul [Islam], Al-Amin [Hossain], [Mohammad] Shahid. We have a good group of guys and some really good Under-19s.”This will be the first time Taskin will be playing long-form cricket [after suffering a stress fracture in 2014 and a side tear early this year]”, Streak said. “Taskin, despite the injury bowled the most number of the balls of all Bangladesh bowlers last year [he actually bowled 474 balls across formats in 2015, the fifth-highest among Bangladesh bowlers].”In terms of his preparation, it has been good. We have been maintaining him and we got an important T20 World Cup coming up, which is at the top of the list. Those sort of quick bowlers are important to us and how we manage them is the key.”

Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, the owners of the team which has been suspended for two years in the IPL, has filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court asking for the Lodha Committee order to be set aside in so far as it relates to Super Kings. The court subsequently asked both respondents – the BCCI and India Cements – to file a response by August 27.A Super Kings insider confirmed the development, terming the writ as a “substantive challenge to the punishment.”The case is being argued by Dushyant Dave, a senior Delhi-based advocate, who has hitherto not appeared in cases relating to the franchise, has been engaged to pursue the matter. The source also clarified that the affidavit, running to 36 pages, was different from an appeal. Legal experts say that while an interim relief is unlikely at this stage, a notice may be ordered on the BCCI, listed as first respondent, seeking its response.After lying low for more than a month since being suspended by the RM Lodha Committee, Super Kings have made their first move. While sources from Super Kings had all the while suggested their appeal would be contingent to the BCCI working group’s report, the affidavit seems to have taken even those close to the franchise by surprise.Meanwhile, the BCCI working group, studying the Lodha panel verdict, is aware of the Super Kings writ, but a board official said it would not put spanner in their works. He said the working group would not await the court’s decision and instead go ahead with its decision which would be revealed to the BCCI working committee on August 28.The writ, a copy of which is in the possession of ESPNcricinfo, alleges the Lodha Committee order went against the “fundamental principles of natural justice and fair hearing”, and had “led to grave miscarriage of justice.””The Justice Lodha Committee had failed to note that the very reason for appointing a high level committee comprising of former judges of apex court was that they could look into the findings of the Mudgal committee,” Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, the petitioner, stated in the affidavit.”The Supreme Court had categorically held they were not sitting in appeal over the findings of the Mudgal committee nor were they inclined to look into the materials which were placed before the said committee. The Justice Lodha committee always had the authority to call for the material forming the basis of the justice Mudgal committee reports as observed by the apex court in its recent order dated 7.8.2015.”Having held that the offence under Article 4.1.1 of the Anti Corruption code was extremely grave, at least the degree of culpability of the franchise ought to have been considered by the Committee.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:43

Agarkar: South Africa will be gutted by result

South Africa’s batsmen could not pull off a successful chase of what seemed to be a below-par target as India, led by their spinners and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 92, leveled the series with a 22-run win and maintained their 100% record at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets between them to defend India’s total of 247, a score they reached only due to the impetus from Dhoni late in the innings.Dhoni’s knock was in part an answer to those who questioned both his form and his formula as a leader after India lost the T20 series and fell behind in this one. He played a steely innings to take India from a precarious 165 for 7 – founded on Ajinkya Rahane’s 51- to a total they could work with, and then put on an animated display in the field to inspire his attack. India kept South Africa under pressure throughout the chase and then pushed them out of the game in the 44th over to secure a morale-boosting victory.With 10 overs left in the India innings, after Dhoni had decided to bat first, the hosts’ spirits would not have been too high. They had lost Rohit Sharma, their highest run-scorer against South Africa across all the matches so far, to a full, fast Kagiso Rabada delivery, which was only the 10th of the innings. Virat Kohli had been run out cheaply. Suresh Raina had not even scored a run, and Dhoni was batting with the tail.Only Rahane had given India something to be proud of at that point, patiently seeing off the pressure period at the beginning, taking boundaries off Dale Steyn. who found some early swing, and selecting shots carefully against the rest of South Africa’s seamers. His ramp shot off Morne Morkel, which brought up his fifty off 59 balls, was the pick of his placements. But Rahane did not last too long after that, and was bowled around his legs by Imran Tahir.Dhoni batted briefly with Rahane – for 28 balls – but then quickly saw the team situation deteriorate swiftly. After the dismissals of both Rahane and Raina in quick succession, there were no more specialist batsmen to come, and there was still more than half an innings to play out. The stage was set for Dhoni to do what Dhoni does best.However, Dhoni, the man dubbed “captain cool”, seemed to be taking it a little too easy at the start. Dhoni took his time establishing himself, partly because he had to protect his line-up and partly because AB de Villiers had strategised carefully enough to stall India. De Villiers always had an attacking bowler in operation. When he took Morkel off, he brought Rabada on, and when he took Rabada off, he brought Steyn on. Even when de Villiers had JP Duminy operating at one end, there was always reason for Dhoni to be cautious. And So he was.Dhoni’s first real Dhoni-shot came only after Axar Patel had been dismissed and the end was nearing. He out-thought Duminy, who had been trying to lure him with deliveries outside off and then delivered one on leg, by pre-empting the line and smacking it over square leg. But Dhoni went quiet again.It was only with 10 overs to go and three wickets in hand that Dhoni was cleared for take off. He took runs off Rabada, which few had dared to do until then. He laid into Duminy, who he brought up his fifty off. He showed both finesse and muscle against Imran Tahir. He even encouraged Harbhajan to go on the attackDhoni looked set for a century, but had to settle for eight less. More importantly, he ensured India were at the crease for the full 50 overs. South Africa did not last theirs.At first, it seemed they would not need to. Hashim Amla and de Kock started solidly and scored 36 runs off the first six overs to ensure they were well on track. But the introduction of spin spelled early trouble; Amla walked out of his crease to heave Axar away, but missed and was stumped. India had an opening which became bigger when de Kock, who was gaining in confidence against the spinners, gained far too much and holed out to Harbhajan.Still, India were far from being in the driving seat, especially with two of South Africa’s most experienced players in the middle. Fad du Plessis was joined by JP Duminy, instead of AB de Villiers who tweaked his lower back. The pair persisted long enough to post the highest partnership of the match. Their 82-run stand started with seven boundaryless overs, but they rotated strike well and eventually found the lapses in India’s game.India finally made a breakthrough when Duminy missed a sweep off Axar to give the hosts a way back in. Two overs later, du Plessis’ concentration cracked and he could not keep a drive off Axar down. Kohli had to jump to reach the ball, but held on well.David Miller, the next man in, lasted only one ball, leaving de Villiers to win it on his own. De Villiers threatened to do it with some big shots off Bhuvneshwar, but flat-batted Mohit Sharma to cover where Kohli was the man to complete the catch again.Farhaan Behardien has proved a handy finisher and even though South Africa still needed 81 runs when de Villiers was dismissed, he seemed up to the task. Behardien let Dale Steyn strike a few big hits, ushered Rabada through a small stand, but was then given a raw deal, out caught behind off Harbhajan to a ball replays showed he did not hit. South Africa’s challenge ended there, as Bhuvneshwar soon cleaned up the tail to keep India on level terms in the series.

ScorecardFile photo – Left-arm spinner Rahil Shah, who didn’t bowl in the first innings, took 4-38 in the second•Sivaraman Kitta

Left-arm spinner Rahil Shah’s four-wicket haul triggered Railways’ collapse at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi, and set up an eight-wicket win for Tamil Nadu.Resuming on 200 for 4, Railways lost their last six wickets for 40 runs inside 19 overs. The hosts lost their first wicket of the day in the fifth over when captain Mahesh Rawat was trapped leg before by seamer J Kousik.It was then Rahil’s turn to get into the act, as he had V Cheluvaraj, the other overnight batsman who had scored two fifties in the match, caught behind three overs later to reduce Railways to 215 for 6. There was nary any resistance from the other batsmen, as Rahil, who didn’t bowl in the first innings, prised out three of the four remaining wickets.Set a target of 77, Tamil Nadu lost an opportunity to secure seven points, as captain Abhinav Mukund was bowled by Anureet Singh in the ninth over. But, the visitors had little trouble otherwise, as Dinesh Karthik’s 40-ball 43 helped them complete the chase.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMadhya Pradesh registered their first win of the season, beating Baroda by 87 runs despite conceding the first-innings lead. The win was set up by a hundred from debutant Rajat Patidar – to follow up on his first-innings half-century – and a fifties from Harpreet Singh and Rameez Khan. Rameez’s 50 came off 52 balls with six fours and a six, as the team looked to declare. They finally did on 288 for 6, setting the hosts 262 for the win.Seamer Puneet Datey then took over MP’s charge, knocking over four of Baroda’s top-order batsmen to leave them tottering at 31 for 5. Yusuf Pathan scored 86 to offer some resistance along with Swapnil Singh (47), but once Yusuf was claimed by the offspin of Jalaj Saxena, 21-year-old legspinner Mihir Hirwani – son of former India legspinner Narendra Hirwani – polished off the tail. Baroda were all out for 174 in under 50 overs, handing MP an 87-run victory.

John Crawley – second consecutive century Photo © John Dawson

John Crawley struck his second century in a week and Michael Gough took fourwickets in innings for the first time in over a year in the Division Onechampionship match between Lancashire and Durham at Manchester.Crawley, who had made 120 against Somerset at Taunton at the weekend, hit 117 to take Lancashire to 265-2 in response to Durham’s 370. Then occasional off-spinner Gough dismissed Crawley and Saurav Ganguly to add to previous victimsMichael Atherton and Neil Fairbrother. By the close Lancashire were still 71runs in arrears on 299-4.
Resuming today at 355-9 the tenth-wicket partnership of Neil Killeen and Simon Brown prolonged their stand to 45 runs (a record last-wicket stand for Durham against Lancashire). Brown was caught eventually off Glenn Chapple leaving Killeen not out 38.Atherton and Crawley got the Lancashire innings off to their second first-wicket century partnership in as many innings – on this occasion it was 135. The former England captain passed fifty by hitting Simon Katich for his sixth boundary from 132 deliveries and went on to 64 when he was caught by Jon Lewis at short-leg off Gough.With Fairbrother out six overs later Ganguly and Crawley added another 108 runs (this, too, was their second consecutive century stand). The latter attained his century with eight boundaries from 229 deliveries in 275 minutes.The more fluent Ganguly went to his fifty off 62 balls with five fours and one six. Crawley’s concentration seemed to be disturbed when he swept a ball which hit Lewis painfully in the back of the head and in the next over he was caught by Gough from his own bowling. When Ganguly was out Graham Lloyd and Warren Hegg took Lancashire through to the end of the day.

Canada has won the inaugural Americas Cup with an emphatic seven wicketvictory over Bermuda at Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Saturday.Chasing a target of 186, Canada overtook the Bermudian total with sevenovers to spare.Astute captaincy from Canadian captain, Joe Harris, later named Man of theSeries, proved pivotal as the home team restricted Bermuda with thetargeting of key batsmen, Clay Smith and Charlie Marshall.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bermuda put on 49 for the firstwicket, with Dennis Archer, who topscored for the visitors (59) leading theway.Smith and Marshall were then removed in quick succession, wickets whichshaped the size of the Bermudian innings.Harris brought himself on, straight away claiming Smith with hisoff-spinners in the only over of the spell.He replaced himself with Australian-based John Davison, who nabbed theinform Marshall in his first over. Davison bowled his spell straightthrough, also claiming Archer and Kwame Tucker (21), and generally stiflingBermudian batsmen’s attempts to pick up the scoring rate.Janiero Tucker helped consolidate the muiddle order with 43.On what was a good batting track, Canada cruised to the target of 187 withNicholas Ifill earning the Man of the Match award with an unbeaten 78 whileHarris scored 60.Herbie Bascombe, Archer and Smith shared the wickets for Bermuda.In the other match, the United States defeated Argentina by 41 runs.United States scored 243 all out with captain, Raymond Denny, topscoringwith 84.In reply, Argentina was allout for 202 with Matias Paterlini their best,striking 63.Today’s results means the teams finished in the following order: 1st-Canada(8pts), 2nd-Bermuda (6pts), 3rd-United States (4pts), 4th-Cayman Islands(2pts), 5th-Argentina (0pts).

Karachi, Nov 10: Sheikhupura made a mockery of Karachi Whites skipperAsif Mujtaba’s decision to field first by closing the opening day ofthe Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Grade-I Cricket Championship clash atthe UBL Sports Complex in a healthy position here on Friday.The visitors reached 250 for four in their first innings, building onan excellent opening partnership of 142 between Majid Majeed anddebutant Tahir Usman.On a pitch which nothing but a featherbed for the batsmen, Mujtaba’sdecision is mystifying especially in the sense that the home team hasplumbed for three frontline spinners and a solitary pace bowler.Athar Laeeq, the former Pakistan pacer, will take sometime to get intothe groove after coming off a long lay-off. He was awfully rusty inhis bowling stride.As it transpired, the Sheikhupura’s openers gratefully accepted theunexpected opportunity to score freely. The first wicket did not falluntil the final ball of the extended session of 180 minutes when Majidperished to off-spinner Tahir Khan for a well-compiled 88 off 163deliveries with 10 fours.Part-time leg-spin of Hasan Raza got rid of left-handed Mohammad Javedafter the lunch-cum-prayers break before Zulfiqar Haider made hispresent felt.The 25-year-old bearded leg-spinner, filling in for Danish Kaneria,earlier made an inauspicious entry into first-class cricket by beingcarted for boundaries off his opening two balls. His bowling action isquite remarkable because it has a mixture of both Shane Warne andStuart MacGill – the Australian Test champions.Zulfiqar, who had his fair share of long hops, was fortunate to claimstwo wickets in his final spell of 9.5 overs because both Usman Akram(bowled behind his legs off an attempted sweep) and Waqar Ahmed Khan(losing his wicket while trying a cut in the day’s final over).Adnan Malik, the slow left-armer, was perhaps, the pick of the bowlersand was desperately unlucky to end the day wicketless. Tahir wassteady and bowled the most overs.Tahir Usman, the right-hander, was a model of concentration as hebatted patiently for his unbeaten 83 off 308 balls. His 330-minutestay at the crease was laced with five boundaries.