Former Pakistan cricketer Farooq Hameed passes away at 80

Farooq Hameed, a former Pakistan Test cricketer, passed away on April 3 at the age of 80. The Pakistani cricketer played one Test match, earning cap number 48, in December 1964 against Australia in Melbourne. The right-arm bowler’s sole Test wicket was that of former Australia captain Ian Chappell, who was also debuting in the same match.

The right-arm fast bowler had a notable career, playing 43 first-class matches between 1961-62 and 1969-70. The Pakistan cricketer took 111 wickets at an average of 25.21, with three five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. The former player’s best first-class bowling performance came against Wellington in the 1964-65 season, where he bowled unchanged through an innings, taking 7 for 16 and bowling out the opposition for 53.

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The Lahore-born cricketer made his first-class debut in the 1961-62 season and was part of the Pakistan Eaglets squad that toured England in 1963. The right-handed batter also represented Pakistan in two matches against the Commonwealth XI in 1963-64. Former England cricketer Alf Grover rated him as a genuine fast bowler but pointed out his lack of accuracy. Despite his potential, opportunities remained limited, leading to his retirement in 1969-70.

The right-arm pacer played for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in domestic cricket, where he delivered outstanding performances. In the 1967-68 season against Peshawar, he claimed two five-wicket hauls (5 for 30 and 5 for 20). His cousin, Khalid Aziz, was a first-class cricketer and Test umpire. Hameed’s sister played a key role in establishing the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Association in 1978 and served as the inaugural secretary.

The cricketing fraternity mourns the loss of Farooq Hameed, remembering him as a skilled pacer whose career, though brief on the international stage, left an impact on Pakistan’s cricketing history.