Former Pakistan allrounder Billy Ibadulla passes away at age of 88

Billy Ibadulla. (Source – Twitter/X)

Former Pakistan all-rounder Billy Ibadulla, passed away on Friday, July 12, at the age of 88. Ibadulla, best known for his remarkable Test debut century, left a mark on the sport during his career.

Ibadulla’s cricket journey began in the 1960s, when he made his Test debut for Pakistan. His international career, though brief, was highlighted by a historic achievement that is still remembered. Beyond his Test appearances, Ibadulla’s first-class career witnessed his all-round abilities.

His red-ball stint began with a bang. In his debut match against Australia in Karachi in 1964, he scored a magnificent 166 in the first innings.

This knock was part of a record-breaking 249-run opening partnership with fellow debutant Abdul Kadir, which remains the highest partnership between two debutants for any wicket in Test cricket.

Despite this promising start, Ibadulla’s Test career was limited to just four matches between 1964 and 1967. His skills were more evident in first-class cricket, where he scored an impressive 17,078 runs at an average of 27.28 and claimed 462 wickets at 30.96 across 417 matches.

The majority of his first-class career was spent with Warwickshire, where he played for over a decade. Warwickshire president Dennis Amiss, a former teammate, fondly remembered Ibadulla.

“He was a special cricketer, one of the greatest, and we had lots of fun times together, He could be really naughty at times, lots of micky taking, and he gave as good as he got. We loved him at Warwickshire,” Amiss said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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PCB is deeply saddened by the passing of former Test cricketer Khalid Ibadulla: PCB

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also sent heartfelt condolences to Ibadulla’s friends and family and remembered the late cricketer.

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

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Later in his career, Ibadulla moved to New Zealand, representing Otago for a couple of seasons. His cricketing journey didn’t end with his playing days, he went on to umpire in 20 first-class matches and 12 List A games and ran a private coaching clinic in New Zealand. His son, Kassem Ibadulla, also featured in 31 first-class games and 19 List-A games for Gloucestershire and Otago.

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