Billy Ibadulla, an ex-all-rounder for Pakistan, died on Friday, July 12, at the age of 88. Ibadulla made an impact on the game during his career, but he is most remembered for his incredible Test debut century.
Ibadulla’s cricket career started in the 1960s when he made his Pakistani Test debut. Despite being brief, his international career was made memorable by a momentous accomplishment. Ibadulla’s all-around skills were evident throughout his first-class career, even outside of his Test outings.
His time in the red ball ended dramatically. In the first innings of his debut match in Karachi in 1964 against Australia, he scored an incredible 166 runs.
Together with fellow debutant Abdul Kadir, this knock was a part of a historic 249-run opening partnership that still stands as the biggest partnership between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket history.
Ibadulla’s Test career ended after just four matches, 1964–1967, despite a promising start. In first-class cricket, he demonstrated his abilities more clearly, amassing an astounding 17,078 runs at an average of 27.28 and taking 462 wickets at a pace of 30.96 over 417 matches.
He played for more than ten years with Warwickshire for the most of his first-class career. Former teammate Dennis Amiss, president of Warwickshire, spoke highly of Ibadulla.
“He was a unique cricket player, among the best, and we had a great deal of fun together. He was also very mischievous at times, taking a lot of flak for it and giving it his all. According to ESPNcricinfo, Amiss stated, “We loved him at Warwickshire.”
The loss of former Test cricket player Khalid Ibadulla saddens PCB greatly: PCB
In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) honoured the late cricket player and offered its sincere condolences to his friends and family.
The loss of former Test cricket player Khalid Ibadulla on July 12 severely saddens the PCB. In four Test matches between 1964 and 1967, he amassed 253 runs and became the first batsman from Pakistan to achieve a century in his maiden match. He got 462 wickets and scored 17,078 runs in 417 first-class matches. PCB commented on X, “PCB sends its sincere condolences to his friends and family.”
The PCB is deeply saddened by the passing of former Test cricketer Khalid Ibadulla on 12 July. He played four Tests from 1964 to 1967, scoring 253 runs, and was the first Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut. In 417 first-class matches, he amassed 17,078 runs and took… pic.twitter.com/MIyOEpE3UW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 14, 2024
Later in his career, Ibadulla relocated to New Zealand, where he played for a few seasons with Otago. His career in cricket didn’t end when he finished playing; he also conducted a private coaching clinic in New Zealand and officiated 20 first-class matches and 12 List A games. Kassem Ibadulla, his son, represented Gloucestershire and Otago in 19 List-A matches as well as 31 first-class matches.
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