In a ceremony held ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7 Eliminator 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, Fazal Mahmood, Pakistan cricket’s first superstar, was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame posthumously. PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain presented a commemoration cap to his daughter Shaista Mahmood and a plaque to his son Shahzad Mahmood.
Following his heroics in the 1954 tour of England, when he took 20 wickets in a four-Test series, including figures of six for 53 and six for 46 that helped Pakistan win The Oval Test by 24 runs, Fazal became the first Pakistan player to be recognized in Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 1955.
Fazal had taken five for 52 and seven for 42 in Pakistan’s inaugural tour to India as a Test nation in 1952, earning his side an innings and 43-run victory in Lucknow. Fazal took six for 34 and seven for 80 in the 1956 Test against Australia in Karachi, as Pakistan defeated Ian Johnson’s Australia by nine wickets.
Fazal’s varied swing and a variety of leg-cutters were too much for the West Indies to handle, as the maestro took 20 wickets in the Caribbean series in 1957-58 and then 21 wickets in three Tests at home in 1958-59.
In 1958, Fazal received the President’s Pride of Performance Award, Pakistan’s highest national literary honor, after taking 139 wickets in 34 Tests. Seven years after his death on 30 May 2005, he was posthumously awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his services to Pakistan cricket.
“Fazal will be regarded as an iconic cricketer who led Pakistan’s transformation from a youthful Test-playing nation to a world-beater.”
Shahzad Mahmood, his son, said:
Fazal Mahmood was Pakistan cricket’s first true hero and superstar. He was always proud to represent Pakistan in international cricket and enjoyed reminiscing about his playing days. He remained involved with Pakistan cricket after retirement and made significant contributions. I appreciate the Pakistan Cricket Board on behalf of my family for honoring him and inducting him into the PCB Hall of Fame.
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