Pakistan loses Israr Ali, member of first ever Test squad

Israr Ali, who was a member of Pakistan’s first ever Test squad, has passed away in his hometown of Okara Punjab at the age of 88.

Born on May 1, 1927 in Jullundar (now Jalandhar) in India, Ali an all-rounder was a member of Pakistan’s first Test squad which went to India in 1952 and played two tests.

He also appeared in Pakistan’s first test 60 years ago.

He passed away in his hometown Okara in Punjab province.

A southpaw medium fast bowler, Ali played in two more tests against Australia in 1959 before he ended his test career with six wickets and also appeared in 40 first class matches and claimed 114 wickets at an average of 22.63 and making 1,130 runs at 20.54.

Aslam Khokhar was Pakistan’s oldest living test cricketer at 91 until he passed away in January, 2015 after which Ali at 88 got this honour.

Ali began his career playing for Punjab in 1946-47, before India and Pakistan came into being as two independent countries.

Cricket historians have noted that Ali’s international career came to an abrupt end after a misunderstanding with his captain Abdul Kardar, then the most powerful man in Pakistan cricket.

Ali in his two tests against Australia gained fame for dismissing opener Les Favell in all four innings, without having any assistance from fielders.

He remained a member of Pakistan’s selection committee in 1983-84, before deciding to say good bye to cricket.

Pakistan’s former batting great Hanif Muhammad recalled his days spent with Israr and said he had a very professional attitude as a cricketer even when the sport was considered an amateur sport.

“He could bowl inswing in those days and was a complete allround player. Unfortunately he did not get more opportunities to play for Pakistan,” Hanif said.

Hanif recalled that he last met Israr at a ceremony held in Lahore on the orders of former President Pervez Musharraf in honour of the cricketers of Pakistan’s first match.

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