KARACHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Munaf passed away on Tuesday in Amsterdam where he had been living since retirement from PIA. He was 84.

A right-arm fast bowler, Munaf was educated at the historic Sindh Medressatul Islam school alongside Little Master Hanif Mohammad who was to later become his team-mate in the Pakistan team.

Munaf’s bowling partner was Ikram Elahi and both formed a deadly pair on a number of overseas tours undertaken by Pakistan team as well as Pakistan Eaglets. Tall and handsome, Munaf was born in Bombay in 1935 in a Kokan family. He was one of the three Kokans from West coast of Maharashtra to represent Pakistan besides M E Z.Ghazali and Ejaz Faqih.

Although he made his first full tour with Pakistan to West indies in 1957-58 under Hafeez Kardar, Munaf made his Test debut in 1959 against Australia at Lahore. He toured India in 1960-61 and England in 1962. From 1959 to 1962 he played four Tests for Pakistan, taking 11 wickets at an a average of 31. His best bowling was 4 for 42 versus England at Dacca in 1962.

In 71 first-class matches spanning from 1953-54 to 1970-71, Munaf bagged 180 wickets at at an impressive 24 runs apiece.

APP adds: The Pakistan Cricket Board expressed its grief on the demise of former Test cricketer Mohammad Munaf.

“The PCB is saddened by the news of Munaf’s passing away. He was one of those respected cricketers who made their name at the first-class level in the early days of Pakistan cricket. We share the grief of his friends and express our deepest sympathies,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020