Former Pakistan all-rounder Billy Ibadulla passes away at 88

Former Pakistan all-rounder Billy Ibadulla passed away on Friday at the age of 88. He had a brief career for Pakistan during which he played four Tests from 1964 to 1967.

He is known for being the first-ever Pakistani player to score a hundred on his Test debut. The former all-rounder made his Test debut in 1964 against Australia at Karachi’s National Stadium.

While opening the innings, he struck 166 runs in the first innings, during which he also constructed a 249-run opening stand with fellow debutant Abdul Kadir, who scored 95.

This partnership remains the highest between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket.

However, Ibadulla went on to play only three more Test matches for Pakistan, scoring a total of 253 runs in four matches. He also took one wicket with his off-spin bowling.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also sent their condolences to Ibadulla’s friends and family through a statement on their official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“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,” the cricket board posted.

“In 417 first-class matches, he amassed 17,078 runs and took 462 wickets. PCB extends its heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.”

He was one of the first Pakistani players to play county cricket in England, where he made a respectable career playing for Warwickshire.

“He was a special cricketer, one of the greatest, and we had lots of fun times together,” Warwickshire president Dennis Amiss, who played alongside Ibadulla at the club, wrote in a tribute to his former team-mate as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“He could be really naughty at times, lots of micky taking and he gave as good as he got. We loved him at Warwickshire.”

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