Old-timers recall ’52 India-Pak tie

Lucknow: “Did you know that the first cricket test match hosted by Lucknow was between India and Pakistan in 1952? It was played on the Gomti riverbanks, adjacent to university grounds. Old-timers recall this date as a gentleman’s game with the city’s ‘Ganga Jamuni’ tehzeeb, sharing their memories with TOI.Just after India gained Independence, India and Pakistan engaged in a test series consisting of five test matches. This marked their first bilateral series post-Independence. The second test match of the series was held in Lucknow in 1952 at the university grounds, now known as Jhule Lal Vatika, on the bank of the Gomti river. Lala Amarnath led the Indian team, while Abdul Kardar captained Pakistan. Unfortunately, India was defeated in the match held in Lucknow, marking Pakistan’s first test win. The standout performer for Pakistan was Fazal Mahmood, who took 12 wickets in the match. Despite the loss, India won the series 2-1. This event holds a special place in the memories of Lucknowites.This test series is also remembered as an embodiment of the ‘Ganga Jamuni’ tehzeeb, as it took place amid a tense atmosphere between the two nations. The warm welcome extended to the Pakistan team helped ease the tension.Recalling the event, Neeru Kapoor, an 81-year-old former Ranji trophy cricketer, said, “The Indian team visited Lucknow and we were very excited to watch them play. I was eight years old when I went to see the match. I vividly remember Lala Amarnath playing with a round solar hat on his head and we cheered loudly for every shot played by both teams’ players.”Subhash Bambi, a veteran cricketer at the age of 83, shared, “I was about ten years old when I witnessed the great India-Pakistan rivalry match. Although we were a little disappointed with the Indian team’s performance, it was a remarkable experience to see cricket legends playing right before our eyes.”“People from all over visited Lucknow to watch the match and the crowd cheered for both teams without restrictions or security concerns. We saw our favourite players up close,” he added.Ashok Bambi, brother of Subhash Bambi, commented, “We grew up hearing electrifying stories of that match from our elders since there was no television broadcast of the event.”Anzar Kidwai from Karachi said, “My late father, Mohammad Haleem, visited India post-partition for the first time because our ancestors are from Lucknow. He witnessed the cricket match live and used to say that watching both nations play was an unforgettable memory of his lifetime.”
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