Cricket has been a part of our people even before Pakistan came into being. On 22nd November, 1935, the first ever international cricket match in Karachi was held between the cricket teams of Australia and Sindh. There were more than 5,000 spectators from Karachi.
After the independence of Pakistan, cricket became popular all over the country and the glorious days of Pakistan national cricket team began. Today they are also known as The Green Shirts or Shaheens.
Here is a little blast from the past. Check out the various historical pictures of Pakistan cricket team.
1. Mian Muhammad Saeed (on right), a right-handed batsman, was the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team, before they were awarded Test status.
2. All about Fazal Mahmood, who is considered the finest pace bowler of Pakistan’s early years.
3. A rare photo of the Edwardes College Peshawar Cricket Team, 1953-54
4. A cricket Match at Lahore’s Hailey College of Commerce in 1960s. You can spot the young Wasim Bari who became the highly successful wicket-keeper.
5. Haroon Rasheed and Miandad in 1978 at Karachi Cricket Stadium.
6. Imran Khan being awarded a car in 1980s.
7. A picture of all the cricket teams competing in the 1979 World Cup. The Pakistan squad is second from left.
8. Pakistan cricket cheering after winning the Bangalore Test against India in 1987.
9. Hanif Mohammad, considered one of the best batsmen in the world, returns to the pavilion after playing amazing innings of 337 against the West Indies in Bridgetown, 1958.
10. Young Javed Miandad in action in 1975.
11. Imtiaz Ahmed in 1956 after scoring the century at Kenya.
12. Abdul Hafeez Kardar, the first captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, waves to Pakistani supporters from the balcony of the Oval Cricket Ground in Edgbaston in 1954.
11. The Pakistan cricket squad in 1970.
14. Pakistan Cricket Team at Oval Cricket Ground in 1954.
15. Sadiq Muhammad, Wasim Bari, Aaftab Baloch, Zaheer Abbas, Asif Masood and Majid Khan on the tour of England in 1974.
16. Ramiz Raja, who has now become a commentator, with his brother Wasim Raja in 1981
17. Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom meeting the Pakistani Cricket Squad in 1979.
18. Sarfaraz Nawaz, Javed Miandad and Sunil Gwaskar.
19. Wasim Akram, known as The Sultan of Swing, during the early years of his career in 1985.
20. The Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket – Pakistan found a new hero in Wasim Akram, an 18-year-old left-arm fast bowler.
Did you enjoy the ride into the past?
