Jacques Kallis, Lisa Sthalekar, and Zaheer Abbas inducted in ICC Hall of Fame

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been inducted into ICC Hall of Fame. Former Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar and Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas were also included in the prestigious list on Sunday.

“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. It is something that I never expected when I started playing. I certainly did not play the game for any accolades or anything like that, I only wanted to win the games for whoever I was playing for," Kallis said.

“But it is nice to be recognised when one has succeeded in the sport, it is nice to be recognised by people for something that you have achieved in the game, something that I am really proud of.”

While, 41-year-old Sthalekar who won the World Cup in 2005 and 2013 and the T20 World Cup in 2010 and 2012 said, “I am deeply humbled to receive this honour. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I would ever get to join such an illustrious group of players. I was fortunate enough to learn from the best when I entered the Australia team – Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick, all of whom have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and rightly so. The guidance from them and other teammates along the way kept me focused but also ensured that it was a fun environment. Thanks to all my teammates. It goes without saying that if it wasn’t for the support of my family, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have," added Sthalekar who is the first woman to take 100 wickets and hit 1000 runs in international cricket.

Pakistan legend Zaheer Abbas too sound elated. A legend of the game Abbas was the first Asian batsman to score 100 first-class centuries.

“I feel privileged and truly humbled to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame of the class of 2020. I am excited to be in the midst of other illustrious cricketers. I would like to say a special thanks to my family, my country Pakistan, my county Gloucestershire and many fans worldwide who helped me achieve and fulfil my dreams by playing this great game at the highest level. Thank you, ICC, and the members of the jury, for this special honour. It is a final recognition for any cricketer,” Abbas said.

“This great game has made me the person I am. Thank you cricket," he added.

The ICC Hall of fame was first introduced in the year 2009, with Sunil Gavaskar and Bishan Singh Bedi becoming the first Indians to get inducted. Next year in 2010, Kapil Dev was conferred with the honour. In 2015 it was Anil Kumble, while Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were inducted in 2018 and 2019 respectively.