India vs Pakistan 1954 – 1955 (Part Two)

Jan 14, 2022

India vs Pakistan 1954 – 1955 (Part Two) Image

With the first two Tests matches on India’s inaugural visit to Pakistan having failed to produce a positive result, the two sides faced each other in the third Test, in Lahore.

Pakistan won the toss and batted. Maqsood Ahmed fell one short of his century, while both Wazir Mohammad and Imtiaz Ahmed made 55 out of a total of 328. 

India struggled to keep pace, but 78 from Polly Umrigar helped them limit the damage and they were all out for 251. 

Pakistan batted again, and Alimuddin made 58 before they declared the innings on 136/5 in a bid to force a result, but both sides had to settle for another draw as India reached 74/2 in their second innings when the bails were removed for the final time.

Peshawar was the venue for the fourth Test match, where again Pakistan won the toss and batted but was the Indian bowlers had the upper hand, bowling them out for 188. Subhash Gupte took 5-63.

Then Umrigar again starred with the bat, making 108 before he was run out. However, the other Indian batters failed. Vijay Manjrekar was the next highest scorer with 32, as they were bowled out for 245. No fewer than four Indian batsmen were run out.

Another strong bowling performance from India limited Pakistan to 182 in their second innings, despite 69 from Maqsood, captain Vinoo Mankad finishing with 5-64.

That meant India needed 126 to win, but they had only reached 23/1 when time ran out in the match.

The final test in Karachi failed to produce a win for either side as well. 

Yet again Pakistan batted after winning the toss, but they could make 162, despite 47 from Ahmed, G.S. Ramchand claiming 6-49 in the city of his birth.

Proving how difficult batting was, India were then bowled out for 145 in turn, Fazai Mohammad and Khan Mohammad taking five wickets apiece.

In their second innings Pakistan did much better, with Alimuddin and captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar putting on 155 for the fifth wicket. Kardar made 83 and Alimuddin an unbeaten 103 when the innings was declared on 241/5.

India, though, managed to save the game, reaching 69/2 at stumps on the final day.