Hero of The Oval Passes Away!!!

Ms. Bholi Bhali

@Ms. Bholi Bhali

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Posted: 19 years ago

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Hero of The Oval passes away

Fazal Mahmood dies aged 78

Cricinfo staff

May 30, 2005

12 wickets at The Oval

Fazal Mahmood: Pakistani icon Getty Images

Fazal Mahmood, one of the greatest of Pakistani cricketers, has died at his home in Lahore aged 78.

Mahmood, a tall medium-pacer with immaculate control and deceptive late movement, took 139 wickets in 34 Tests between 1952-53 and 1962. He played in Pakistan's inaugural Test, against India at Delhi in October 1952, and produced figures of 12 for 94 at Lucknow in the second match to secure Pakistan's first-ever Test victory

Mahmood, however, will forever be remembered for his performance against England two years later, when he took 12 wickets at The Oval in a thrilling series-levelling victory. His second-innings figures of 6 for 46 included the prize scalps of Peter May and Denis Compton, as England slumped from 109 for 2 to 143 all out, to lose by a mere 24 runs. That performance earned him the accolade of being one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year in 1955.

Mahmood also played a lead role in Pakistan's first-ever victory over Australia, taking 13 for 114 at Karachi in 1955. Before the partition of India and Pakistan, he had played in the Ranji Trophy for Northern India and had earned selection for India's tour to Australia in 1946. Instead, however, he chose to migrate to Pakistan, where he earned a living as a police officer.

"Mahmood suffered a heart attack which he couldn't survive," his son Shahazad Mahmood told AFP. "He was otherwise healthy and used to go to his office even after a prostate operation." Alongside his contemporaries, Imtiaz Ahmed and Hanif Mohammad, Mahmood was often referred to as one of the icons of Pakistan cricket, and the Pakistan Cricket Board was swift to send its condolences to his family.

"On behalf of the chairman, colleagues in PCB and on my own behalf, I would like to convey heartfelt condolences on the sad and untimely passing away of your father who was undoubtedly Pakistan's great hero," said Abbas Zaidi, the director of board operations in a statement. "We pray that his soul rests in peace and may Allah Almighty give you and your family strength to bear this huge loss."

Cricinfo

I am just out of words so many special died in one week. Two Very sweet members of IF Passed Away, Rangela Died, Sunil Dutt, and Now Fazal Mehmood. I Dont know why Allah test His Man's sabar all that one time.😭

Edited by Ms. Bholi Bhali - 19 years ago

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Ms. Bholi Bhali

@Ms. Bholi Bhali

Inactive

30

+ 5

Posted: 19 years ago

#2

Fazal Mahmood

Pakistan

Player profile

Full name Fazal Mahmood
Born February 18, 1927, Lahore, Punjab
Died May 30, 2005, Lahore, Punjab (aged 78 years 101 days)
Major teams Pakistan, Lahore, Northern India, Punjab
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium
Relations Father-in-law - Mohammad Saeed, Brother-in-law - Yawar Saeed

Batting and fielding averages

class	mat	inns	no	runs	hs	ave	100	50	6s	ct	st
Tests	34	50	6	620	60	14.09	0	1	2	11	0
First-class	112	147	33	2662	100*	23.35	1	13		39	0

Bowling averages

class	mat	balls	runs	wkts	bbi	bbm	ave	econ	sr	4	5	10
Tests	34	9834	3434	139	7/42	13/114	24.70	2.09	70.74	6	13	4
First-class	112	25932	8837	466	9/43		18.96	2.04	55.64		38	8

Career statistics
http://content.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/40092.ht ml
StatsGuru Tests filter
Test debut	India v Pakistan at Delhi - Oct 16-18, 1952 scorecard
Last Test	England v Pakistan at The Oval - Aug 16-20, 1962 scorecard
First-class span	1943/44 - 1963/64

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1955

There were few better bowlers of his type than this tall, strong fellow who at medium-pace allied exemplary control with regular movement off the pitch. Before partition Fazal Mahmood played in the Ranji Trophy for Northern India, was a member of the Pakistan side to England in 1954, and had the major share in his country's first Test win at The Oval in August. He took 12 for 99 there and followed, on Australia's first visit to Pakistan, by taking 13 for 114 at Karachi, which enabled his side to win what also was a first Test victory. On the retirement of A. H. Kardar he was the natural successor as captain, and led in three successive series against the West Indies (1958-59), Australia (1959-60) and India (1960-61). The Indian series, resulted in five draws on the Indian pitches, as had the previous rubber between them, played on the mat in Pakistan. He took 139 wickets in 34 Test matches, including five in an innings thirteen times. In helpful conditions he could be almost unplayable.
EW Swanton, The Cricketer

Wisden overview
A hero to men and boys, and a heart-throb for the ladies, Fazal was the Imran Khan of the 1950s. As a medium-fast bowler, he delivered both offcutters and legcutters at will, and was especially effective on matting pitches at home. For his part in Pakistan's win at The Oval in 1954 he was one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.
Scyld Berry

http://content.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/40092.ht ml

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