{{short description|Pakistani cricketer and politician}} {{Use British English|date=November 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Abdul Hafeez Kardar | image = Abdul Hafeez Kardar.jpg | caption = A.H. Kardar | country = India | country2 = Pakistan | fullname = Abdul Hafeez Kardar | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1925|1|17}}<ref name=Independent>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-abdul-hafeez-kardar-1346507.html Obituary: Abdul Hafeez Kardar] Independent (UK newspaper), Published 10 May 1996, Retrieved 21 June 2019</ref> | birth_place = Lahore, Punjab, British India | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1996|4|21|1925|1|17}}<ref name=Independent/> | death_place = Islamabad, Pakistan | heightft = | heightinch = | heightm = | batting = Left-handed | bowling = Slow left arm orthodox | role = | family = {{ubl|Zulfiqar Ahmed (brother-in-law)|Alec Hastilow (father-in-law)<ref name=Independent/>|Shahid Kardar (son)}} | international = true | internationalspan = 1946 | internationalspan2 = 1952–1958 | testdebutdate = 22 June | testdebutyear = 1946 | testdebutfor = India | testdebutagainst = England | testcap = 29 | testcap2 = 7 | lasttestdate = 26 March | lasttestyear = 1958 | lasttestfor = Pakistan | lasttestagainst = West Indies | club5 = Combined Services | year5 = 1953–1954 | club4 = Warwickshire | year4 = 1948–1950 | club3 = Oxford University | year3 = 1947–1949 | club2 = Muslims | year2 = 1944 | club1 = Northern India | year1 = {{nowrap|1943–1945}} | columns = 2 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 26 | runs1 = 927 | bat avg1 = 23.76 | 100s/50s1 = 0/5 | top score1 = 93 | deliveries1 = 2,712 | wickets1 = 21 | bowl avg1 = 45.42 | fivefor1 = 0 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 3/35 | catches/stumpings1 = 16/– | column2 = First-class | matches2 = 174 | runs2 = 6,832 | bat avg2 = 29.83 | 100s/50s2 = 8/32 | top score2 = 173 | deliveries2 = 24,256 | wickets2 = 344 | bowl avg2 = 24.55 | fivefor2 = 19 | tenfor2 = 4 | best bowling2 = 7/25 | catches/stumpings2 = 110/– | date = 3 December | year = 2008 | source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/750/750.html CricketArchive }}
'''Abdul Hafeez Kardar''' PP, HI ({{langx|ur|{{nastaliq|عبد الحفیظ کاردار}}}}) (17 January 1925 – 21 April 1996) was a Pakistani cricketer, politician, and diplomat. He was the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team and one of only three players to have played Test cricket for both India and Pakistan.<ref name=GoogleDoodle/> Known as "The Skipper," Kardar led the Pakistan cricket team in its first 23 Test matches, spanning from 1952 to 1958, and later became the nation's foremost cricket administrator.
Widely regarded as the father figure of Pakistan cricket, Kardar received the ''Pride of Performance'' Award from the Government of Pakistan in 1958.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160423145540/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/article155685.ece The top 10 Pakistan Test cricketers] The Sunday Times (London newspaper), Retrieved 21 June 2019</ref><ref name="PSB" /> In addition to his cricketing achievements, he served as a member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and held the position of Punjab Minister for Food under the Bhutto government.<ref name="Independent" />
==Early career== Kardar was born in 1925 into a prominent Kardar Arain family in Lahore, Punjab.<ref>{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/750/750.html |title=Player Profile: Abdul Kardar |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref> He was educated at Islamia College, Lahore, and University College, Oxford. Kardar played domestic cricket for various teams, including Oxford University, Northern India, and Muslims. He was one of the few players of his generation to have represented India in Tests against England before the partition and, following the independence of India and Pakistan, went on to represent Pakistan.<ref name=Independent/>
In 1952–53, Kardar was appointed captain of the Pakistan team for its first official Test series, a tour of India. Leading his team against Lala Amarnath's Indian team, Kardar's men faced defeats in Delhi and Bombay, with India winning the series. However, Pakistan secured its first-ever Test victory in the second match, held in Lucknow.<ref name="Independent" />
Kardar was a left-handed batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler. In first-class cricket, he scored 6,832 runs at an average of 29.83 and took 344 wickets at an average of 24.55. He represented the Pakistan team from 1948 to 1952, during the years before Pakistan was granted Test status. Kardar also played for Warwickshire and Pakistan Services in domestic cricket.<ref name="ESPN" />
==Pakistan's captain== Kardar captained Pakistan against all the Test-playing nations of his time, achieving the remarkable distinction of leading his team to victory against each of them—a notable accomplishment for a newly established cricketing nation. One of his most famous victories was the series-levelling win against England at The Oval in 1954. Another historic achievement came in 1957 when Pakistan secured their first Test victory against Australia, in Karachi.
Despite Kardar's aggressive, motivated, and confident leadership, Pakistan's team was still immature, inexperienced, and developing their cricketing skills, which limited their ability to win series consistently. The attitude of the players faced criticism during the Indian cricket team's first tour of Pakistan in 1954–55, where all five Tests ended in draws. Political tensions and the bloody legacy of independence created an atmosphere where both teams feared losing, hindering competitive cricket.
Under Kardar's captaincy, Pakistan played a total of 23 Tests, winning six, losing six, and drawing eleven. Although his leadership style was often dictatorial, and he was quick to anger—especially at criticism—Kardar was a visionary who advocated for the use of neutral umpires in cricket.<ref name="ESPN">[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/41030.html Profile of Abdul Hafeez Kardar on espncricinfo.com website] Retrieved 21 June 2019</ref> Kardar retired from international Test cricket in 1958.<ref name="ESPN" />
==Later career== Kardar was a strong supporter of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and a firm believer in the idea of Muslim glory in India. He ventured into politics and served as the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from 1972 to 1977.<ref name=Independent/> His tenure was notable for advocating increased representation of Asian and African cricketing nations within the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, he was forced to resign in 1977 following an embarrassing pay dispute with the players.
In addition to his cricketing and administrative roles, Kardar was actively involved in charitable and social development causes. In the final years of his life, he served as Pakistan's ambassador to Switzerland.<ref name="Independent" /> He died in his hometown of Lahore in 1996.
Kardar is widely credited with popularizing cricket among the Pakistani people, mentoring some of the nation's greatest cricketers and nurturing young talent. His stewardship of the Pakistan team and the PCB during its formative years helped establish a culture of pride and professionalism in the sport. He was also elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab in 1970 on a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ticket and served in the provincial cabinet as a minister.<ref name="Independent" />
==Private life== Kardar married twice. He married Shahzadi, the sister of Pakistani cricketer Zulfiqar Ahmed, in 1951.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809002611/https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/665476-cricketing-dynasties-the-22-families-of-pakistan-test-cricket-part-2|title=Cricketing dynasties: The 22 families of Pakistan Test cricket — Part 2. Sports. thenews.com.pk|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}</ref>. His second was to Helen Hastilow, the daughter of Alec Hastilow, chairman of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, in 1954.<ref name="Independent" /> He had at least one son, Shahid Hafeez Kardar, who is a prominent economist.
==Tribute== In 2019, Abdul Hafeez Kardar was honored with a Google Doodle on what would have been his 94th birthday.<ref name=GoogleDoodle>{{cite web|url=https://doodles.google/doodle/abdul-hafeez-kardars-94th-birthday/|title=Abdul Hafeez Kardar'okte=21 June 2019}}</ref>
==Awards and recognition== Kardar received the ''Pride of Performance'' Award in 1958 from the President of Pakistan.<ref name=PSB>[http://www.sports.gov.pk/Awards/award_cricket.htm Pride of Performance Award for Abdul Hafeez Kardar info on Pakistan Sports Board website] Retrieved 21 June 2019</ref><ref name=GoogleDoodle/> In 2012, he was posthumously awarded the ''Hilal-i-Imtiaz'' in recognition of his contributions to Pakistan's cricket.<ref name="The News International 2012">{{cite web | title=President confers civil awards on Pakistani citizens and foreign nationals – Top Story | website=The News International | date=15 August 2012 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/379890-president-confers-civil-awards-on-pakistani-citizens-and-foreign-nationals | access-date=25 June 2020}}</ref>
That same year, he was also awarded the ''Sitara-e-Imtiaz'', Pakistan's third-highest civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to the country's cricket team.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
==Books by A.H. Kardar== * ''Inaugural Test Matches'' (1954) * ''Test Status on Trial'' (1954) * ''Green Shadows'' (1958) * ''People's Commitment'' (1971) * ''The Cricket Conspiracy'' (1977) * ''Is the Economic Future of Our Youth Become?'' (1985) * ''Bangladesh: The Price of Political Failure'' (1985) * ''Memoirs of an All-rounder'' (1987) * ''Pakistan's Soldiers of Fortune'' (1988) * ''An Ambassador's Diary'' (1994) * ''Failed Expectations'' (1995)
==See also== * List of cricketers who have played for more than one international team
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{ESPNcricinfo|id=41030}}
{{s-start}} {{succession box | before = Position Established | title = Pakistan Cricket Captain | years = 1952–1958 | after = Fazal Mahmood }} {{s-end}}
{{Pakistan Test Cricket Captains}} {{Pride of Performance for Sports}} {{Chairman of PCB}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kardar, Abdul Hafeez}} Category:1925 births Category:1996 deaths Category:Pakistani Muslims Category:India Test cricketers Category:Pakistan Test cricketers Category:Ambassadors of Pakistan to Switzerland Category:Pakistan Test cricket captains Category:Dual international cricketers Category:Commonwealth XI cricketers Category:Government Islamia College alumni Category:Indian cricketers Category:Warwickshire cricketers Category:Pakistani expatriate cricketers in England Category:Oxford University cricketers Category:Gentlemen cricketers Category:Pakistan People's Party MPAs (Punjab) Category:Recipients of the Pride of Performance Category:Combined Services (Pakistan) cricketers Category:Northern India cricketers Category:North Zone cricketers Category:Muslims cricketers Category:Cricketers from Lahore Category:Cricket writers Category:Alumni of University College, Oxford Category:Pakistan Cricket Board presidents and chairmen Category:Punjab MPAs 1972–1977 Category:Pakistani sportsperson-politicians Category:Pakistani cricketers Category:Provincial ministers of Punjab Category:Politicians from Lahore Category:Pakistani cricket administrators Category:Arain Category:20th-century Indian Muslims