Billy Ibadulla, an 88-year-old former all-rounder from Pakistan, passed away at the age of 88. The former Pakistani all-rounder played four Test matches for Pakistan from 1964 to 1967. Ibadullah was the first Pakistani batsman to score a century on his debut.
He played his first Test match in Karachi against Australia in 1964, scoring 166 runs. Ibadulla and fellow rookie and wicketkeeper Abdul Kadir shared an opening partnership of 249 runs. In Test cricket, it continues to be the highest partnership for any wicket between two debutants.
Ibadulla has played three more Tests since his debut, with a best score of 32. He also took one wicket with his off-break.
He was even more productive, with a scoring average of 27.28 and a wicket rate of 30.96 in first-class cricket. After playing for Warwickshire for almost ten years, he amassed 17,078 runs in his 417 first-class appearances and also snatched 462 wickets.
In a post on X, the Pakistan Cricket Board offered sincere condolences to Ibadulla’s friends and family.
“The PCB is deeply saddened by the passing of former Test cricketer Khalid Ibadulla on 12 July. He played four Tests from 1964 to 1967, scoring 253 runs, and was the first Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut. In 417 first-class matches, he amassed 17,078 runs and took 462 wickets. PCB extends its heartfelt condolences to his friends and family,” PCB posted on X.
Ibadulla collected 84 wickets and amassed 829 runs in 64 List-A matches. He officiated 12 List A games and 20 first-class matches as well. In New Zealand, he also owned and operated a private coaching clinic.
