1993 – Pakistan and West Indies in a wild three-day Test

On this day, a thrilling contest unfolded in Trinidad as West Indies collapsed from 63/0 to 127 all out, only for Pakistan to stumble from 100/2 to 113/7. The see-saw battle ended in just three days, with Carl Hooper taking key wickets to spin Pakistan out. It was a dramatic start to what was considered an unofficial world championship clash.

1985 – Birthday of Zimbabwe's Tawanda Mupariwa

Born on this day, Tawanda Mupariwa became Zimbabwe's fastest to 50 ODI wickets, achieving the feat in just 28 matches. Thrust into the national team during the 2004 player rebellion, Mupariwa’s swing bowling stood out. Despite being overlooked later, he earned a World Cup spot in 2015 but could only manage a single wicket in the tournament.

1985 – Birthday of New Zealand's Daniel Flynn

Daniel Flynn, born today, is remembered for bravely continuing his cricketing journey after a bouncer shattered his teeth at Old Trafford in 2008. He scored 95 against West Indies and showed grit in later innings, but inconsistency led to his omission. Flynn’s short Test career had flashes of resilience and promising left-handed strokeplay.

1963 – Birthday of Saleem Malik, the gifted but tainted Pakistani batsman

Saleem Malik, born this day, was a stylish and wristy batsman who played 103 Tests and scored over 5,700 runs. He made 15 Test centuries, many narrowly over the hundred mark. Though brilliant on the field, his reputation suffered when he was banned for life due to match-fixing charges—a ban that was controversially lifted in 2008.

1940 – Birth of David Holford, West Indies allrounder

West Indian David Holford, born today, made headlines with a crucial 105-run innings at Lord's in 1966, sharing a 274-run stand with his cousin Garry Sobers. A dependable lower-order batter and tidy legspinner, Holford later contributed off the field as team manager and chairman of selectors, playing a key role in West Indies cricket development.

1878 – Birth of Tip Foster, England’s dual-sport captain

Tip Foster, born today, holds the record for the highest score on Test debut—287 in Sydney, 1903. The only man to captain England in both cricket and football, Foster was a rare multi-talented sportsman. He and his six brothers all played for Worcestershire. Tragically, diabetes claimed his life at just 36, cutting short a promising career.