Pakistani Cricket Loses Billy Ibadulla, Former Test Star, At Age 88

Former Pakistan all-rounder Billy Ibadulla has passed away at the age of 88. He played four Tests between 1964 and 1967 but more memorably was the first Pakistan player to make a century on his Test debut, against Australia in Karachi, where he scored 166 runs in his first innings. He also shared a record opening stand of 249 runs—still the most for two debutants in Test cricket—with fellow debutant Abdul Kadir in the same match.

Though he appeared in only three more Tests, Ibadulla made useful contributions with both bat and ball: he scored a total of 253 runs, and took one wicket with his offbreak. He got main rewards for his efforts in first-class cricket, chiefly with Warwickshire for whom he played in 377 matches over more than a decade; he scored 17,078 runs and took 462 wickets.

Warwickshire president Dennis Amiss called Ibadulla a special cricketer who would be remembered for the joy and companionship that he brought to the game. The Pakistan Cricket Board, too, was saddened by the news and claimed his services for Pakistani cricket.

Apart from being a cricketer, Ibadulla appeared in List A games. He had also done umpiring in domestic cricket and run a private coaching clinic in New Zealand.