Fazal Mahmood passes away at 78

One of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers, former captain Fazal Mahmood, has passed away at his home in Lahore, at the age of 78, from a heart attack.

Mahmood, who had as impeccable a bearing as his controlled medium-pace bowling, was one Pakistan’s first paramount cricketers, leading the way in Pakistan’s first Test win, that against India in only their second Test match, with 12 wickets.

However, Mahmood’s most memorable performance came in yet another epochal win, Pakistan’s first against England, in a Test at the Oval in 1954, in which he had match figures of 12/99. That performance even earned him the distinction of being of one of Wisden’s five cricketers of that cricketing year, becoming the first Pakistan cricketer to be bestowed with the accolade.

Mahmood, who represented Pakistan in 34 Tests, 10 as captain, and took 139 wickets at an average of 24.70, also played a premiere role in the country’s first Test win against Australia, at Karachi in 1955, picking up 13 wickets in the match.

A statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, “The chairman has expressed deep sorrow on the passing of Oval Test hero and one of the legends of Pakistan cricket Fazal Mahmood. His tally of 139 wickets in an era when cricket was played with long gaps in between series proves that he was truly one of Pakistan’s cricketing greats.”