Pakistan's oldest Test cricketer dies

Pakistan's oldest Test cricketer Aslam Khokhar died in Lahore on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 91. Khokhar played one Test for Pakistan, against England in 1954 during his team's first tour of the country, and 45 first-class games, averaging 27.80 with two centuries. He was also a good enough legspinner to be considered an all-rounder in his time.

Though he played only one official Test, Aslam also took part in the first 'unofficial' Test Pakistan played before they gained Test status in 1952-53, against the touring West Indies in Lahore's Bagh-e-Jinnah in 1947-48.

And he is noted for making what is now acknowledged as the first first-class hundred in Pakistan, soon after partition from India in the country's maiden first-class match between Sind and West Punjab in Lahore. In the city's early club scene, he played for Universal CC.

He was 34 when he toured England in 1954 and the 'Encyclopedia of Pakistan Cricket' reports that a toe injury curtailed his participation for much of the tour.

He then took up umpiring, on the insistence of Pakistan's first - unofficial Test - captain Mian Mohammad Saeed and officiated in three Tests - all involving Pakistan and England - in 1973 and 1977. He took over as senior coach at Lahore's Aitchson College and worked at a national training camp in the mid-80s.

"It is sad that we lost Khokhar," former Pakistan batsman and team-mate Hanif Mohammad was quoted as saying by AFP. "He was a jolly man and friendly with everyone."