Mohammad Aslam Khokar, Pakistan’s oldest surviving Test cricketer, passed away yesterday in a Lahore hospital after prolonged illness. Khokar, who played just one Test for Pakistan on their first tour to England in 1954, had turned 91 on January 5.
Although he managed just 16 and 18 in that match, Khokar became a respected umpire and officiated in three Tests — all against England.
Khokar played for Pakistan Railways and the Quetta region. A right-handed batsman, Khokar also played in the Ranji Trophy from 1941 to 1947. In a first-class career spanning from 1938 to 1964, he accumulated 1863 runs in 46 matches and claimed 20 wickets.
He also scored Pakistan’s first first-class hundred in 1947 when he represented West Punjab against Sindh at the Lahore Bagh-i-Jinnah.
Khokar was chosen to represent Pakistan XI in the unofficial Test against the West Indies in 1947-48 and toured Ceylon in 1949. In 1953, during a Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match, he scored a hundred for Punjab XI pushing for selection in the Test team before scoring another century in the trial match in February 1954.
Former teammate and Pakistan batting legend Hanif Mohammad said, “He was a jolly man and was friendly with everyone.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ