In cricket history, only seven non-Muslim cricketers have represented the Pakistani national team. Among them was Wallis Mathias, who broke new ground as Pakistan's first non-Muslim cricketer. Born on February 4, 1935, in Karachi to a Christian family, Wallis's journey was unique.
A Memorable Debut & Slip Fielding Expertise
Mathias had a passion for cricket since childhood, excelling at Karachi's famous St. Patrick High School. His talent was so evident that at just 20, he debuted in Test cricket against New Zealand in Dhaka in November 1955, remaining unbeaten with 41 runs in Pakistan's first innings.
Expectations were high for Wallis Mathias to achieve even greater success, but he couldn't fully capitalize on his opportunities in international cricket. His international career spanned from 1955 to 1962, with a memorable performance in 1958 against the West Indies, where he made scores of 73 and 77 in consecutive matches.
Although not as successful with the bat, Mathias's fielding was what made headlines. Primarily a slip fielder, he took some extraordinary catches during his career and was counted among the era's excellent slip fielders. With the formidable Pakistani pace attack at the time, slip fielding was no easy feat, but Mathias's extraordinary alertness made challenging situations look easy.
Source: aajtak
While fast bowlers often get all the attention, unsung heroes in the slip cordon play crucial roles in changing game momentum. Wallis Mathias consistently demonstrated this. Imtiaz Ahmed, Pakistan's first wicketkeeper, frequently praised him, saying, 'Wallis was Pakistan's first great slip fielder who changed the atmosphere in the slip cordon.'
Mathias' Cricketing Record
Wallis Mathias took 130 catches in his first-class career, 22 of which were in Tests. In 1963, a finger injury during net practice affected his catching skills. Despite this, he continued playing domestic cricket and scored an unbeaten 278 against Railway Greens for Karachi in 1965-66, his best score in first-class cricket.
A middle-order batsman, Wallis Mathias’s Test statistics do not do justice to his talent. He played 21 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring 783 runs at an average of 23.72, including three half-centuries. His best Test score was 77. In first-class cricket, Mathias shone, amassing 7,520 runs at an average of 44.49 from 146 matches, with 16 centuries and 41 half-centuries.
Additionally, Mathias took 13 wickets in first-class cricket. He participated in one List-A match, scoring 51 runs. Domestically, he played for Karachi, Sindh, and National Bank of Pakistan, becoming the latter's first captain during the 1969-70 season. Mathias continued playing first-class cricket until the 1976-77 season.
Former player and administrator Colonel Shujauddin Butt remarked about Mathias, 'Wallis was a wonderful person, seen as a prince among players, never uttering a word in anger. He was honest and sincere, possibly the only gentleman in Pakistan cricket.'
Source: aajtak
Post-retirement, Wallis Mathias served as a coach, selector, and manager in Pakistan cricket. Tragically, he passed away at the age of 59 on September 1, 1994, due to a brain hemorrhage, leaving a legacy unfinished.
Other Non-Muslim Cricketers Representing Pakistan
1. Duncan Albert Sharpe:
An Anglo-Indian, Sharpe played three Tests for Pakistan, making 134 runs at an average of 22.33. In first-class cricket, Sharpe was slightly more prolific, scoring 1,531 runs in 37 matches at an average of 27.33, including two centuries.
2. Antao D'Souza:
Born in Goa, D'Souza participated in six Tests for Pakistan, scoring 76 runs at an average of 38 while taking 17 wickets. Unusually, his batting average exceeded his highest score (an unbeaten 23).
3. Sohail Fazal:
A Christian, Fazal played two ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 56 runs. In his second and final ODI against India in Sharjah, he hit three towering sixes, helping Pakistan post a substantial score.
4. Yousuf Youhana
(now Mohammad Yousuf): Renowned as one of the greatest Pakistani batsmen, Mohammad Yousuf was originally known as Yousuf Youhana. He amassed 7,530 runs in 90 Tests and 9,720 runs in 288 ODIs, hitting 39 centuries and 97 half-centuries. He converted to Islam in 2005.
5. Anil Dalpat:
Wicketkeeper-batsman Anil Dalpat played nine Tests and 15 ODIs for Pakistan. He made 167 Test runs at an average of 15.18, including one half-century, while taking 25 catches and one stumping. Dalpat is noted for being the first Hindu to play cricket for Pakistan.
6. Danish Kaneria:
Kaneria is Pakistan’s highest wicket-taking spinner in Test cricket, with 261 wickets in 61 Tests. The leg-spinner also played eight ODIs, taking 15 wickets. Danish is the second and last Hindu to play for Pakistan.
