Israr Ali (1 May 1927 – 1 February 2016) was a member of Pakistan's first Test team that played against India in India in 1952–53. Born in Jalandhar, British India, Israr was an allrounder. He played two Tests as a top-order batsman in 1952–53 with huge success, then two more against the visiting Australians in 1959–60 as a lower order batsman and opening bowler, taking 6 wickets at 25.66, dismissing Les Favell four times.[1]

Israr Ali
Personal information
Born(1927-05-01)1 May 1927
Jalandhar, Punjab Province, British India
Died1 February 2016(2016-02-01) (aged 88)
Okara, Pakistan
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingLeft-arm fast-medium
RoleAllrounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 6)16 October 1952 v India
Last Test21 November 1959 v Australia
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class
Matches 4 40
Runs scored 33 1,130
Batting average 4.71 20.54
100s/50s 0/0 0/6
Top score 10 79
Balls bowled 318 6,190
Wickets 6 114
Bowling average 27.50 22.63
5 wickets in innings 0 6
10 wickets in match 0 1
Best bowling 2/29 9/58
Catches/stumpings 1/– 22/–
Source: CricketArchive, 12 July 2019

In 1957–58, playing for Bahawalpur against Punjab A in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, he took 9 for 58 in one innings (11 for 88 in the match).[2] In the quarter-finals of the competition that season, he took 6 for 1 (figures of 11–10–1–6) to dismiss Dacca University for 39, after hitting his highest score of 79.[3]

His career began in the 1946–47 Ranji Trophy and ended in 1960–61. He played the 1959 English season as a professional for Bacup in the Lancashire League, making 912 runs at 50.66 and taking 48 wickets at 22.95.[4]

On the death of Aslam Khokhar on 22 January 2011, Israr Ali became Pakistan's oldest living Test cricketer.[5] He died on 1 February 2016 at the age of 88.[6]

References

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  1. ^ in Wisden 1961, pp. 837–39.
  2. ^ Bahawalpur v Punjab A, 1957–58
  3. ^ Bahawalpur v Dacca University, 1957–58
  4. ^ Wisden 1960, p. 738.
  5. ^ List of oldest living Test players
  6. ^ "Pakistan's oldest Test cricketer dies aged 88". ESPNcricinfo. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
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