July 18, 1932 – When Syed Nazir Ali scored 52 in Indians' total of 66

India toured England in 1932 to make their Test debut at the Lord’s and spent nearly five months playing against the County teams. In this tour, India played as many as 25 first-class matches and a dozen of unofficial games but featured in only one Test match against the England team. On July 16th, the Indian team toured Harrogate to face Yorkshire team at the St George’s Road in a 3-day fixture.

Indians made a convincing start in the first innings after being put to bat by the home team. Openers Janardan Navle (27) and Naoomal Jaoomal (48) added 63 runs for the first wicket. The No.3 batsman Syed Wazir Ali scored 26 as Indians reached 102 for the loss of only one wicket. However, a 5-wicket haul from the left-arm spinner Hedley Verity left India in tatters. The visiting team was bundled out for 160 losing their last nine wickets for just 58 runs.

Syed Nazir Ali’s 33-run knock was the only major contribution outside top three for India. Later, Yorkshire ended the first day at 14/2 as the pacer Mohammad Nissar dismissed the openers cheaply. The match resumed after a rest day where Yorkshire recovered from Nissar’s opening burst. They reached 161/8 from being 25/3 even though Nissar picked up a 5-wicket haul. Yorkshire declared the innings soon after they earned first-innings lead.

Nazir Ali stands tall!

The first inning star Hedley Verity opened the bowling for the Yorks with George Macaulay. The Indian team struggled while facing Macaulay as their top three managed to score one run apiece. Nazir Ali walked to bat at No.5 when Indians were struggling at 2/3. Nazir tried to pull his team out of the hole but could only get hold of his end. Indians were soon reduced to 32/8 and the highest scorer among the eight dismissals was two runs by skipper CK Nayudu while four others bagged ducks.

The responsibility was on Nazir to see India escape an embarrassment at which he was partially successful. He struck five fours and three sixes during his brief partnership of 33 runs with M Jahangir Khan. Nazir scored 52 before getting bowled in the bowling of Macaulay. India was bowled out for 66 runs out of which five were extras, the 2nd highest contribution to the small total. Macaulay finished with eight wickets while Verity claimed the remaining two.

The total of 66 by the Indians still remains as the lowest completed total in the history of the first-class history to include an individual fifty. For a moment, Syed Nazir Ali’s contribution looked enough for the Indians who claimed two wickets for just three runs. The Yorkshire team lost their 3rd wicket at 25 on the final day morning but eventually reached the target for the loss of four wickets. Opener Percy Holmes scored an unbeaten 33 to see his team past the winning line against the visiting side.