Wazir Mohammad, the last surviving connection to Pakistan’s early Test cricket days, passed away at 95, as announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.
During his 20 Test matches from 1952 to 1959, he scored 801 runs with an average just above 27. Despite modest stats, he was pivotal in three of Pakistan’s first significant victories.
“Although my Test record isn’t remarkable, I’m proud of my crucial contributions to Pakistan’s initial Test wins,” he stated in a 2010 interview.
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Wazir was the eldest of five cricket-playing brothers, four of whom represented Pakistan in Test cricket.
Born on December 22, 1929, in Junagadh, India, Wazir was soon joined by Raees, the only brother who didn’t play for Pakistan, along with Hanif, Mushtaq, and Sadiq.
The 1947 partition led the family to relocate to Karachi.
“Moving to Pakistan was an adventure,” Wazir recalled.
“My father, an uncle, and I traveled first by sea, facing an overloaded and unstable ship, fearing it might capsize.”
Wazir joined Karachi’s Pak Mughal Cricket Club, and when Pakistan achieved Test status in 1952, he was selected for a three-Test tour of India under Abdul Hafeez Kardar’s captaincy.
He played a single Test, the third at Brabourne, while his brother Hanif participated in all five, establishing a legendary career as an opener and wicketkeeper.
Hanif, known as the ‘Little Master,’ held a Test high of 337 and a first-class best of 499 for Karachi, a record surpassed only by Brian Lara.
“Even during my career, I was often introduced as Hanif’s elder brother,” Wazir said. “But I felt proud, not embarrassed.”
Wazir was instrumental in Hanif’s iconic innings, sharing century partnerships on key occasions.
West Indies Century
One of Wazir’s crucial innings occurred at The Oval in 1954, where his patient 42 not out was the highest score in a low-scoring match, helping Pakistan secure enough runs to defend in the fourth innings.
Fazal Mahmood’s 12 wickets sealed a 24-run victory, marking Pakistan as the first team to win a Test on their maiden England tour.
During that innings, Wazir cleverly exaggerated a toe injury, prompting England’s captain, Len Hutton, to suggest more yorkers, which Wazir found easier to handle on a rain-affected pitch.
His 67 in Karachi in 1956 was pivotal in Pakistan’s inaugural victory over Australia.
In March 1958, he scored 189 in the fifth Test at Port of Spain, partnering with Hanif for 154 runs to secure Pakistan’s first West Indies win.
This series was Wazir’s best, with scores of 106 in the third Test and 97 not out in the fourth.
His next-to-last Test in Lahore in March 1959 was also the debut for his brother Mushtaq Mohammad, who later played 57 Tests and captained Pakistan.
Youngest brother Sadiq Mohammad debuted in 1969, while nephew Shoaib Mohammad, son of Hanif, extended the Mohammad cricket legacy into the 1980s and 90s, playing 45 Tests and 63 ODIs.
