OTD | Pakistani pacer Jalal-ud-Din took the first-ever ODI hat-trick against Australia in 1982

Born on 12th June 1959, Pakistan’s most underrated bowler, Jalal-ud-Din, took the first-ever ODI hat trick in 1982. This came against Australia, who had the best batting attack in the world at that time. A specialist right-arm pace bowler, played in six Test matches and eight One Day Internationals from 1982 to 1985. He never got the chance or the opportunity to showcase his talent, but many cricket experts believed that he would have been an asset to the Pakistan team had he been given ample chances. 

Jalal-ud-Din broke the back of the Australian batting attack with his bowling in 1982. Some world-class players were waiting to smash the Pakistan bowlers, but the conditions favoured the host when they brought Jalal to bowl. He came in and removed Rodney Marsh, who was the wicketkeeper at that time. The next ball, Bruce Yardley, was caught behind for a duck. He was an incredible batter at that time but fell prey to Jalal’s bowling. The last batter to be dismissed was Geoff Lawson, who was bowled. 

He played his debut Test match against Australia in 1982 and his last match in 1985 against Sri Lanka. Moreover, in the ODIs, he started in 1982 but played his last game in 1983. He couldn’t play for a long time as enough opportunities weren’t given to him, even after taking a hat trick and bowling well in some of the matches. 

He played just eight ODI games and took 14 wickets at an average of 15.07. His best bowling figures in ODIs are 4/32. He could have been a great player but instead became a coach and is the only Pakistani Test cricketer who has the accreditation as both an ECB and PCB level 3 coach.

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