A shot at history: Cricketers who have featured for both India and Pakistan in Tests

Cricket is a game of uncertainty but one thing is certain and it is the unique records that are created. One such unique piece tells us that there have been only three cricketers in the history to have played for both India and Pakistan. It sounds like one of those feats which are next to impossible to achieve in the near future as both the sides hardly lock horns nowadays, leave aside the possibility of representing both the countries.

An overall count of only 14 cricketers have played Test cricket for more than one country. The three cricketers in the spotlight here are Amir Elahi, Gul Mohammad and Abdul Hafeez Kardar. These cricketers were born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan and went on to play for the men in green after the partition took place.

3. Amir Elahi

The right-hand batsman and leggie was born in Lahore in the year 1908. He played a lone Test for India against Australia in the year 1947 and went on to play for Pakistan after the latter nation was handed Test match status in 1952-53. Elahi played five Test matches for Pakistan. He played his last Test match at the age of 44. He also represented Baroda in the Ranji Trophy and scalped over 190 wickets in the Indian domestic competition.

2. Gul Mohammad

The left-hand batsman wasn’t one of the tallest cricketers around but his attacking approach made him a household name. He made his debut at the age of 17 and went on to score 95 in his maiden First-class match in the Bombay Pentangular. Mohammad represented India in eight Test matches and played a single Test for Pakistan after becoming a citizen of the country in the year 1955. He scored the winning runs in that particular match against Australia

3. Abdul Hafeez Kardar

He was the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team and was regarded as a father figure. He received the Pride of Performance Award from the Government of Pakistan in the year 1958. Known for his left-arm orthodox spin, Kardar scalped 21 wickets from 26 matches and scored 927 runs. Kardar played two seasons for English county club Warwickshire and interestingly married the club chairman’s daughter.