# Alimuddin (cricketer)

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**Alimuddin** ([Urdu](/source/Urdu): **علیم الدین**‎; 15 December 1930 – 12 July 2012) was a Pakistani [cricketer](/source/Cricket) who played 25 [Tests](/source/Test_cricket) for [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan_national_cricket_team) between 1954 and 1962. His name is sometimes rendered **Alim-ud-Din**.[1] A fast-scoring, right-handed [opening batsman](/source/Batting_order_(cricket)#Opening_batsmen) and occasional [right-arm leg break](/source/Leg_break) [bowler](/source/Bowling_(cricket)), he was the youngest player ever to appear in [first-class cricket](/source/First-class_cricket), aged 12 years and 73 days. In international cricket, he scored 1,091 [runs](/source/Run_(cricket)) at the [average](/source/Batting_average_(cricket)) of 25.37, including two [centuries](/source/Century_(cricket)) and seven fifties. In 1954, he was a member of the Pakistani squad which toured [England](/source/England_national_cricket_team) and recorded Pakistan's first Test match win. Former Pakistani captain [Mushtaq Mohammad](/source/Mushtaq_Mohammad) said about him that he was "a thorough gentleman as well as a great cricketer for Pakistan".[2]

## Personal life

Alimuddin was an ethnic [Muhajir](/source/Mahajir_(Pakistan)), born in [Ajmer](/source/Ajmer), a city in [British India](/source/British_India), on 15 December 1930.[3] After the [independence](/source/Partition_of_India) of [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan) in 1947, he moved to [Karachi](/source/Karachi) along with his family. He lived in London and never married, instead providing for his family. [Pakistan International Airlines](/source/Pakistan_International_Airlines) (PIA) had given him an opportunity to work at [London Heathrow Airport](/source/London_Heathrow_Airport).[4] Two of his brothers, [Salimuddin](/source/Salimuddin) and [Azimuddin](/source/Azimuddin), both also played first-class cricket.[5][6] His nephew, James Uddin, the son of Salimuddin, is also a cricketer and currently plays semi-professional cricket in England.[7]

In later life, his pension was suspended after doubts over his actual birth date. The pension was restored after intervention from the Pakistani President.[8]

## First-class career

During his career Alimuddin played 140 first-class matches and scored 7,275 [runs](/source/Run_(cricket)), with the [average](/source/Batting_average_(cricket)) of 32.77, including 14 centuries and 38 fifties; he also took 40 wickets.[3] Critics considered him to be an excellent fielder.[9] He made his debut for [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan_cricket_team) aged only 12 years 73 days, becoming the youngest player to have played [first-class cricket](/source/First-class_cricket).[10] In [1942–43](/source/1942%E2%80%9343_Ranji_Trophy), he played his maiden match in the [Ranji Trophy](/source/Ranji_Trophy), scoring 13 and 27 runs in his two innings.[11] His highest score in first-class cricket was 142, against [Worcestershire](/source/Worcestershire_County_Cricket_Club) in 1954.[12] Domestically, Alimuddin represented [Sindh](/source/Sindh_cricket_team), Rajasthan, [Karachi](/source/Karachi_cricket_team), [Bahawalpur](/source/Bahawalpur_cricket_team) and [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat_cricket_team),[3][13] and became the first Pakistani batsman to face a ball bowled by an international bowler on Pakistani soil, in a match between the Sindh and [West Indians](/source/West_Indies_national_cricket_team) in 1948.[9][14][15] During Pakistan's 1954 tour of England, Alimuddin scored more than 700 runs, including two centuries in the first two matches.[16] He was most successful during 1961–62, scoring 1,020 runs in 12 matches at an average of 51.00.[17] In the same season he captained Karachi, leading the team to victories in the [Quaid-e-Azam Trophy](/source/Quaid-e-Azam_Trophy) and Ayub Zonal Trophy.[10][18][19][20] His final season in first-class cricket was 1967–68.[17]

## International career

Alimuddin played 25 Test matches for [Pakistan](/source/Pakistan_national_cricket_team) during his career and scored 1,091 runs in international cricket at the average of 25.37. He made two [centuries](/source/Century_(cricket)) and seven fifties.[3] Cricket critics believed that he possessed a sound technique.[21] In Test matches, Alimuddin established an effective opening partnership with [Hanif Mohammad](/source/Hanif_Mohammad).[10]

Alimuddin started his international career against [England](/source/England_national_cricket_team) in June 1954, at the [Lord's Cricket Ground](/source/Lord's_Cricket_Ground), in a match in which he scored 19 runs.[22] In the fourth Test of the same series Pakistan beat England by 24 runs, recording their first Test win over them to become the first team to defeat England during their maiden tour.[16] Alimuddin managed to score 10 runs in the match.[23] In 1954–55, he played, against [India](/source/India_national_cricket_team), in Pakistan's first home Tests, finishing the series as the leading run scorer with 332; he made three fifties and in the fifth match scored 103 [not out](/source/Not_out) at the [National Stadium, Karachi](/source/National_Stadium,_Karachi), his first international century.[24][25][26] He was the first batsman ever to make an international century on the Ground.[4]

Alimuddin also toured [West Indies](/source/West_Indies_cricket_team) as a part of Pakistan cricket team in 1957–58. He was not successful in the series and his highest score remained 41 runs which he made in the fourth Test at the [Bourda](/source/Bourda), [Georgetown, Guyana](/source/Georgetown,_Guyana).[27][28] In 1962, under the captaincy of [Javed Burki](/source/Javed_Burki), Pakistan visited England where they played a five Test match series.[29] In the fifth Test at [Headingley](/source/Headingley_Cricket_Ground), a low scoring match for Pakistan, Alimuddin's scores of 50 and 60 made him the team's highest scorer of the match.[30] In the fifth Test of the home series against England in 1962, he scored his career best 109 runs at the National Stadium.[31] He played his last match against England in [Trent Bridge](/source/Trent_Bridge), [Nottingham](/source/Nottingham) in 1962.[32]

Former West Indian [all-rounder](/source/All-rounder) [Collie Smith](/source/Collie_Smith) was his only wicket in international cricket.[33]

He is variously known as "Alim-ud-Din" and "Alimuddin", with *[Wisden](/source/Wisden_Cricketers'_Almanack)* using the former in earlier editions and the latter in his obituary.[16][8]

## Death

On 12 July 2012, Alimuddin died in [Northwick Park Hospital](/source/Northwick_Park_Hospital), [Harrow](/source/London_Borough_of_Harrow), London.[2][4] He suffered from [heart](/source/Cardiovascular_disease) and [lung](/source/Respiratory_disease) diseases. He also had [kidney failure](/source/Renal_failure) and was on [dialysis](/source/Kidney_dialysis).[4] The [Pakistan Cricket Board](/source/Pakistan_Cricket_Board) (PCB) released a press statement expressing sorrow and conveying condolences to Alimuddin's family.[34][35]

## Career statistics

### Records against opponents

**Key**

Inn – Number of innings batted NO – Number of innings not out Runs – Runs scored in career HS – Highest score * – Batsman remained not out 100 – Number of centuries scored 50 – Number of half centuries scored Avg – Runs scored per dismissal Ca – Catches taken St – Stumpings taken H/A/N – Venue was at home (Pakistan), away or neutral Date – Match starting day Result – Result for the Pakistan team

Alimuddin's performance in Test matches[3][27] scope="col; style="width:150px" | Opponent scope="col; style="width:30px" | Matches scope="col; style="width:30px" | inn scope="col; style="width:30px" | NO scope="col; style="width:50px" | Runs scope="col; style="width:30px" | HS scope="col; style="width:75px" | Ave scope="col; style="width:30px" | 100 scope="col; style="width:30px" | 50 scope="col; style="width:30px" | Ct scope="col; style="width:30px" | St Australia 2 4 1 59 34* 19.66 0 0 1 – England 8 16 0 410 109 25.62 1 4 2 – India 6 10 1 356 103* 39.55 1 3 0 – New Zealand 3 4 3 74 37 18.50 0 0 4 – WIN 6 11 0 192 41 17.45 0 0 1 – Total 25 45 2 1091 109 25.37 2 7 8 –

### Test centuries

Alimuddin's Test centuries scope="col; style="width:5px" | No. scope="col; style="width:75px" | Score scope="col; style="width:110px" | Against scope="col; style="width:10px" | Pos. scope="col; style="width:10px" | Inn. scope="col; style="width:200px" | Venue scope="col; style="width:30px" | H/A/N scope="col; style="width:50px" | Date scope="col; style="width:50px" | Result 1 103 India 2 3 National Stadium, Karachi Home 26 February 1955 Drawn[24] 2 109 WIN 6 1 National Stadium, Karachi Home 2 February 1962 Drawn[31]

## References

1. *Wisden* 1963, Index, page ix, renders Alim-ud-Din as the subject's name, this usage repeated on other pages throughout the book.

1. ["Mushtaq Mohammad salutes Alim-ud-Din as ex-opener dies at 81"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Mushtaq-Mohammad-salutes-Alim-ud-Din-as-ex-opener-dies-at-81/articleshow/14858078.cms). *[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)*. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.[dead link]

1. ["Player Profile: Alimuddin"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/38992.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. Farooq, Umar (12 July 2012). ["Former Pakistani cricketer Alimuddin died"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/572137.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Player profile:Salimuddin"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/42960.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 15 July 2012.

1. ["Player profile:Azimuddin"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/26768.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 15 July 2012.

1. ["Player profile:James Uddin"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/512710.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 15 July 2012.

1. ["Wisden Obituaries - 2012"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/720793.html). *Wisden Cricketers' Almanack*. 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2017. – via ESPNcricinfo.

1. Staff report (13 July 2012). ["Pakistan's to former Test to opener Alimuddin passes away in London"](https://archive.today/20130416140926/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C07%5C13%5Cstory_13-7-2012_pg2_6). *[Daily Times](/source/Daily_Times_(Pakistan))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012%5C07%5C13%5Cstory_13-7-2012_pg2_6) on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. Carman, Gerry (13 August 2012). ["Early first-class start just one claim to cricket fame"](http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/early-firstclass-start-just-one-claim-to-cricket-fame-20120812-242jx.html). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Baroda v Rajputana – Ranji Trophy 1942–43"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/17/17378.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Pakistan tour of England – Worcestershire v Pakistanis"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/576715.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Teams Alimuddin played for"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/986/all_teams.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["West Indies vs Pakistan – FC match"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/572161.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Cricket: Former Pakistani Opener Alimuddin died at 81"](http://tribune.com.pk/story/407679/cricket-pakistans-legendary-batsman-alimuddin-dies-at-81/). *[The Express Tribune](/source/The_Express_Tribune)*. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. Smith, Leslie (16 April 2010). ["Wisden – Pakistan in England, 1954"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/155167.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["First-class Batting and Fielding in Each Season by Alimuddin"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/986/f_Batting_by_Season.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Quaid-E-Azam Trophy – A brief history – Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141102172918/http://static.espncricinfo.com//db//NATIONAL//PAK//HISTORY//quaid.html). *CricketArchive*. Archived from [the original](http://static.espncricinfo.com//db//NATIONAL//PAK//HISTORY//quaid.html) on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 1961/62"](http://www.pcb.com.pk/quaideazam-trophy-196162/match/461.html). [Pakistan Cricket Board](/source/Pakistan_Cricket_Board). Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Karachi v North Zone"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/25/25353.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Legendary opener Alimuddin passed away in London"](https://www.dawn.com/news/733786/legendary-batsman-alimuddin-passes-away-in-london). *[The Dawn](/source/Dawn_(newspaper))*. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["England vs Pakistan – Test Series – 1st Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62773.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["England vs Pakistan – Test Series – 4th Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62776.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Pakistan v India in 1954/55 (5th Test)"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/21/21447.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 21 September 2012.

1. ["India tour of Pakistan 1954–55"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/current/series/62326.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Cricket Records – Records – India in Pakistan Test Series, 1954/55 – Most runs"](http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=105;type=series). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Test batting and fielding against each opponent by Alimuddin"](https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/986/t_Batting_by_Season.html). *CricketArchive*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["West Indies vs Pakistan – Test Series – 4th Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/62838.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Pakistan tour of England, 1962 – Fixtures"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/61451.html?template=fixtures). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["England vs Pakistan – Test Series – 5th Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/62918.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Pakistan vs England – Test Series – 5th Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/62900.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["England vs Pakistan – Test Series – 4th Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62919.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["West Indies vs Pakistan – Test Series – 1st Test"](http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/62835.html). *ESPNcricinfo*. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["PCB condoles the death of Pakistan's to former Test Cricketer Alimuddin"](http://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release/pcb-condoles-the-death-of-pakistan-s-former-test-cricketer-alimuddin.html). Pakistan Cricket Board. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

1. ["Zaka condoles Alimuddin's death"](http://nation.com.pk/13-Jul-2012/zaka-condoles-alimuddin-s-death). *[The Nation](/source/The_Nation_(Pakistani_newspaper))*. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2017.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alimuddin (cricketer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alimuddin_(cricketer)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alimuddin_(cricketer)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.