MOHAMMAD NISSAR – 5/93, 1932

India debuted in Test cricket in 1932 and played their first ever Test against England on the home of cricket, the Lord’s cricket ground. India was led by Col. CK Nayudu and England was led by Douglas Jardine.

England batted first and was immediately put in the spot of bother when young Indian pacer Mohammad Nissar ran through the England top order to dismiss openers Percy Holmes (6) and Herbert Sutcliffe (3) for cheap runs. He then came back to remove Les Ames, Walter Robins and Freddie Brown to complete the first ever five-wicket haul by an Indian bowler in Test matches in the very first innings for the country in India’s debut Test.

Nissar finished the first innings with figures of 5/93, as England made 259. He also picked one wicket in the second innings and despite the fact that India lost the Test by 158 runs, Nissar’s fast bowling was applauded by all.

Indian captain CK Nayudu claimed that Nissar was faster than the infamous England fast bowler Harold Larwood, who had shaken up the great Don Bradman during the Bodyline series of 1932 in Australia.

Nissar played 6 Tests for India, picking up 25 wickets, with 3 five-wicket hauls. He was one of the founders of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and died in Lahore in 1963.