1994 – Sohail & Inzamam's Record Stand
Aamer Sohail and Inzamam-ul-Haq produced a sensational 263-run stand for the second wicket against New Zealand in Sharjah, setting a record at the time. Sohail smashed 134 while Inzamam powered 137. Ironically, the only two sixes of the innings came from Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram. Dion Nash was fined for swearing at Anwar as New Zealand crumbled.
1972 – Kallicharran’s Back-to-Back Hundreds
Alvin Kallicharran continued his dream Test debut season by scoring his second century in just his second Test innings, making 101 against New Zealand in Trinidad. His fluent batting put West Indies in charge of the series decider. However, Garry Sobers chose not to enforce the follow-on, and New Zealand hung on for a draw, ending the series 0-0.
1957 – A Fox is Born
Graeme "Foxy" Fowler was born on this day. Known for his attacking style, Fowler scored a brilliant 201 against India in Madras, his penultimate Test before being dropped at the young age of 27. Despite his early exit, Fowler stayed connected to cricket through media work and later made a lasting impact by establishing Durham's Centre of Excellence in 1996.
1954 – Birth of Peter Toohey
Peter Toohey, a tenacious middle-order batsman from New South Wales, was born. He played 15 Tests for Australia during the Packer years. Toohey made an impressive start, scoring twin half-centuries on debut and later a sparkling 122 and 97 in Jamaica. However, England’s bowlers found his weaknesses, leading to a quick decline in his international career.
1912 – Birth of David Townsend
David Townsend was born on this day, an English cricketer who represented England in three Tests despite never playing for a first-class county. Townsend opened the batting in the West Indies in 1934-35 but struggled, failing to score a fifty. His efforts weren’t enough as West Indies secured their first-ever series win, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory.
1907 – Birth of Miran Bakhsh
Miran Bakhsh, born in 1907, holds the distinction of being the second-oldest Test debutant in cricket history. At 47 years and 275 days, the Pakistan offspinner was called up in 1954-55 to face India. Though his international career was brief, spanning just two Tests with two wickets, he left a solid first-class record with a bowling average of 19.
