The Pakistan cricket fraternity is in mourning following the passing of former cricketer Mohammad Nazir at the age of 78. Nazir succumbed to a prolonged illness and had been bedridden for several months, as confirmed by his son, Noman Nazir.
A Life Marked by Cricket
Mohammad Nazir’s cricketing journey began in 1969 when he made his Test debut against New Zealand. He quickly made an impact, taking 7 wickets for 99 runs in his first innings. Known for his off-spin bowling, he represented Pakistan in 14 Test matches and 4 One-Day Internationals between 1969 and 1984. Over his career, he claimed 34 wickets in Tests and 3 in ODIs, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
Despite a promising start, Nazir’s international career was not as prolific as it could have been. He played only one Test match after his debut until he was recalled in 1980 for a series against the West Indies. During this comeback, he notably dismissed legendary batsman Sir Vivian Richards three times.
Challenges and Triumphs
Nazir faced significant challenges throughout his career. He struggled with injuries and inconsistent selection, which limited his appearances on the international stage. However, he excelled in domestic cricket, taking an impressive 829 wickets in First-Class matches and amassing over 4,200 runs.
His final five-wicket haul came against India in Nagpur, where he took 5 wickets for 72 runs. After retiring from playing, he transitioned to umpiring and officiated in 5 Tests and 15 ODIs, contributing to the game from behind the stumps.
Tributes from the Cricketing Community
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its condolences following Nazir’s death. “The PCB is saddened by the passing of former Test cricketer and umpire Mohammad Nazir,” they stated. “He represented Pakistan in 14 Tests and four ODIs from 1969 to 1984, taking 37 international wickets.”
Noman Nazir, the son of Mohammad Nazir, shared insights into his father’s health struggles. He said, “My father was badly injured in a road accident some five years back. After that, he never got over his health problems.” His family confirmed that he passed away in the hospital.
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