Syed Mushtaq Ali (1914–2005) was an Indian cricketer who is considered one of the pioneers of Indian cricket. His full name was Syed Mushtaq Ali Bokhari. He was a stylish opening batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. Mushtaq Ali played a crucial role in the early development of Indian cricket and was one of the first Indian cricketers to make a mark on the international stage.
Here are some key points about his life and cricketing career:
- Early Life: Syed Mushtaq Ali was born on December 17, 1914, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Domestic Career: Mushtaq Ali played for several domestic teams, including Holkar and Bengal. He had a prolific domestic career and was known for his aggressive batting style.
- Test Debut: He made his Test debut for India against England in the 1936-37 series. He played 11 Test matches for India.
- Aggressive Batsman: Mushtaq Ali was known for his aggressive and attacking style of batting, which was quite uncommon during his era. He played with flair and had the ability to score quickly.
- First Indian to Score a Test Century Overseas: Mushtaq Ali achieved the distinction of being the first Indian to score a Test century overseas. He accomplished this feat in 1948 against England at Old Trafford.
- War-Disrupted Career: His cricketing career was interrupted by World War II, which led to a gap in international cricket.
- Post-Retirement Activities: After retiring from active cricket, Mushtaq Ali stayed involved with the sport. He became a selector and coach, contributing to the development of cricket in India.
- Honors: In recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instituted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, in his honor.
- Late Years: Syed Mushtaq Ali passed away on June 18, 2005, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Syed Mushtaq Ali was a trailblazer in Indian cricket and played a significant role in laying the foundation for future generations of cricketers. His attacking style of play and contributions to the sport have left a lasting impact on the cricketing history of India.
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