FROM A TO ZED - is a lavish publication worth every penny for its 159 pages. Everything about the book is splendid - the colour photography, the layout, the clear font. It is an outstanding publication, offering a glimpse into the life of one of cricket's most beloved celebrities. Few overseas cricketers have left as deep, graceful, and enduring an imprint on cricket as Zaheer Abbas in England.

Zaheer remains the only Asian batter to have managed a century of centuries in first-class cricket. In a statistical section, namely, A career in numbers, compiled by my friend, Andrew Samson, cricket enthusiasts are informed that Zed is the highest-scoring Asian batsman of all-time, with 34,485 runs and 108 centuries.

He remains the only Pakistan batter to hit two double hundreds in Tests in England, including 274 in his debut innings at Birmingham in 1971, which remains the highest score by a Pakistani against England, and 240 at The Oval in 1974. He was named as one of the five cricketers of the year by Wisden in 1972. Wisden paid a rich tribute to him "Within weeks he was accepted as a world-class batsman of classical style, with a rich variety of strokes, including a perfect cover drive, and of an imperturbable temperament. Few overseas players on their maiden tour of England have mastered conditions and bowlers alike with such complete efficiency."

Gloucestershire, according to Zaheer Abbas, gave him far more than a place to play cricket. It provided a second home, shaped his development as a batsman, and, in many respects, changed the course of his family's life. He believes that many of his best performances for Pakistan were built upon the foundation that county cricket provided.

Apart from managing 5000 runs in Tests (5062 runs at an average of 44.79, including 12 hundreds and 20 fifties, in 78 Tests), he amassed 2572 runs at an average of 47.62 including seven hundreds and 13 fifties in 62 ODIs and 16083 runs (ave 49.79), including 49 centuries and 76 fifties, in 206 matches for Gloucestershire.

Matt Thacker believes Zed's undoubted brilliance emanates from a character of extreme simplicity and an extraordinary love of batting. Indeed, batting to him is an absolute and utter obsession, to the exclusion of almost everything else in life. Bat, dream of batting, wait to bat, bat again. And repeat. He is a sports psychologist's dream. Why be racked with paralysing thoughts of failure, of what might be and what might have been? Why overcomplicate? Why not just go out and hit the ball where it should be hit? Why not et to 50, to 100, to 150 and beyond. Why stop batting when it is so enjoyable? For Zed, life is simple.

It has been a lot of fun putting this book together, remarked Zaheer Abbas. "Since I first dreamed as a small boy of playing cricket for my country, so many people have helped me, and I would like to put on record my thanks to every single one of them.

As we were going to print, the death of the great Sir Garry Sobers was announced. I have so many amazing memories of this wonderful man, who was my captain for the World XI. Garry said back then that he thought the six greatest batsmen in the world were myself, Sunil Gavaskar, Barry Richards, Viv Richards. Greg Chappell and Ian Chappell. Typically kind words from the best all-rounder who ever played the game. Rest in peace".

Cricket for Zaheer Abbas has always been a profoundly human experience, enriched by family, strengthened by friendship, illuminated by moments of laughter, and sustained by memories. In this definite autobiography, he talks us through the highs and lows, the friendships and rivalries from a fascinating period of cricketing history.

At a time when Pakistan was still shaping its identity on the global stage, and with cricket such an important part of the nation's culture, he emerged as a symbol of elegance, consistency, and quite authority.