Lahore (Web Desk): Search engine giant Google is celebrating the legacy of Pakistan’s first ever Test captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar on his 94th birth anniversary today (Thursday).
Thursday’s Google Doodle shows an image of Kardar, who is remembered as the father of Pakistan cricket, playing an elegant shot on the front foot.
Kardar, born on January 17, 1925, was the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team following the country’s independence and one of the only three players to have played Test cricket for both India and Pakistan, the other two being Amir Elahi and Gul Mohammad.
A left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler, Kardar led Pakistan in their first official Test series touring India in 1952-53. Although Lala Amarnath’s India won in Delhi and Bombay and won the series, Kardar’s Pakistan achieved their first Test victory in the second Test in Lucknow.
He also played domestic cricket for a variety of teams, including Oxford University, Northern India and Muslims.
In 23 matches as Pakistan captain, Kardar led his team to victory over all the Test-playing countries at the time except South Africa, whom they never met.
He also became chairman of selectors, and president of Pakistan's Board of Control from 1972 to 1977.
In later years of his life he served as Pakistan's ambassador to Switzerland.
Abdul Hafeez Kardar died on April 21, 1996, aged 71.