Despite his spectacular start, Ibadulla’s Test career was brief.
Billy Ibadulla
Former all-rounder Billy Ibadulla, who was the first Pakistani to score a century on Test debut, has passed away in New Zealand on Friday at 88.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) extended its condolences to the deceased cricketer’s family. “PCB extends its heartfelt condolences to his friends and family,” the board said in a statement. Ibadulla made his Test debut against Australia in Karachi in 1964. He played a historic knock of 166 in the first innings of his first international appearance. His innings was part of a record-breaking 249-run opening partnership with fellow debutant and wicketkeeper Abdul Kadir, a record that still stands as the highest partnership between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket.
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Despite his spectacular start, Ibadulla’s Test career was brief. He played only three more Tests, and picked up one wicket in the format. Ibadulla’s prowess was more pronounced in first-class cricket, where he amassed 17,078 runs at an average of 27.28 and claimed 462 wickets. He played 417 first-class matches, 377 of which were for Warwickshire, a club he served with distinction for over a decade.
Later in his career, Ibadulla moved to New Zealand, where he played for Otago for a couple of seasons. His contribution to cricket extended beyond his playing days, as he stood as an umpire in 20 first-class matches and 12 List A games. In List A cricket, Ibadulla scored 829 runs and took 84 wickets in 64 matches. His love for the game was passed down to his son, Kassem Ibadulla, who played 31 first-class games and 19 List A games for Gloucestershire and Otago.
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