Condolence Message

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed deep sorrow on the passing away of Oval Test hero and one of the legends of Pakistan cricket Mr Fazal Mahmood.

Mr Fazal Mahmood played 34 Test matches for Pakistan. He was an exceptional right-arm fast-medium bowler who could move the ball off the pitch in both directions.

Mr Fazal Mahmood was a member of the Pakistan team that won its first ever Test match against India in Lucknow in 1952, taking match-winning figures (12-94). He was instrumental in helping Pakistan achieve their first victory in England in the Oval Test in 1954 (with figures of 12-99) for which he is best remembered. He also had a significant hand in Pakistan’s first victory against Australia in the Karachi Test in 1955 (with figures of 13-114). His tally of 139 wickets in an era when cricket was played with long gaps in between series proves that he was truly one of Pakistan’s cricketing greats.

Mr Fazal Mahmood was born in 1927 in Lahore and had no hesitation in opting to play for Pakistan at the time of partition. He was the first Pakistani to become Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1955. Mr Fazal Mahmood contributed enormously to Pakistan cricket through his words of wisdom and was a regular visitor to the Board headquarters at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore till the time of his expiration. Chairman PCB always referred to him alongwith Messrs Imtiaz Ahmad and Hanif Mohammad as ‘icons’ of Pakistan cricket. PCB celebrated the fifty years of the Oval victory in 2004 to recognize and honour Mr Fazal Mahmood and members of the ‘dream team’. Most recently, he was appointed as Bowling Advisor to the Illegal Bowling Action Commission.

The following condolence message from Pakistan Cricket Board was sent to Mr Shahzad Mahmood on the death of his father:

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Dear Shahzad,

On behalf of the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, 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. We pray that his soul rests in peace and may Allah Almighty give you and your family strength to bear this huge loss.
Yours Sincerely,

Abbas Zaidi
Director (Board Operations)

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(Article: Copyright © 2005 Pakistan Cricket Board)