The history of cricket of Karachi remains incomplete unless the contribution by the Non-Muslim Cricketers of the city who not only acclaimed personal fame but also earned a name for their city. Cricket remains a popular game for people of Karachi since the British era and played since 171 years. The Britishers introduced the game and were first players.
The renowned Christian players of ancient days were C.B. Roomi, X Siemens, Jack Harris, Peet Paul, Peter Mandis, Jack Britto, Larry Friends, Max Friends. The Parsi of Karachi were the first to learn the game from Britishers but the local Muslims kept away as according to them it was a game of “ Infidels “.
The first Cricket Club was founded in1847 and was named Oriental Cricket Club and according Usman Dhobi, author of book “History of Karachi “Parsis were the founders of the said club.
The team of Parsis from Karachi was renowned from Asia to Europe and it toured Britain in 1886 and included notable players Dada Dinshaw, B.D Dastoor and Birjis G Bala. In the year 1886, Europeans also formed a number of teams and played the game regularly while regular matches were played between teams of Europeans and Parsis in 1902.
The famous Parsi players were M.J Mobed, Nadir Dinshaw, Kawas Minwala, Hoshing Minwala, S.R. Mawalwala, Kahra Jee, Eddie Bhajoo, Palsotia, J.D Modi, Rusi Nausherwan Dinshaw, S. K Irani and B.D Jackson. There were some other cricketers who played first-class cricket before the inception of Pakistan.
The first official match in the history of Karachi was played on 22nd November, 1935 between Sindh Team and Australian team.
Pakistan after getting status of cricket playing nation chose India for its maiden official tour and Rusi Dinshaw, a Parsi of Karachi was part of this Pakistan Team. He was born in 1928 and his cricket career spanned from 1948 t0 1952 and he represented Pakistan for two years.
The left handed batter represented Pakistan in two matches but failed to hit a big score. He passed away in March 2014.
Wallis Mathias was the first Pakistan born Non-Muslim cricketer who played 21 Test matches during his stint from 1955 to 1962. Playing as middle order right handed batsman he was an excellent slip fielder. He was also a medium fast bowler. He played his first Test match against New Zealand in November 1955. He snatched 17 wickets in six Test matches with an average of 43.82 and once took five wickets in an innings giving away 112 runs.
In 21 Test matches he scored 781 runs including three half centuries with highest ever score of 77. His all half centuries were against West Indies and remained highest scorer in both innings in a Test match played at Dhaka. He returned not out on five outings. He blasted 64 in the first innings and 44 in the second inning making Pakistan a winner. He played 146 first class matches and at a rate of 44.49 runs per inning compiling 7520 runs. He scored 16 centuries and 41 half centuries in first class matches with highest score of 278 not out. He passed away on 1 September 1994 at the age of 59.
Antao D’Souza hailing from Karachi played 6 Test matches for Pakistan his first against West Indies in Feb 1959 and also toured England. He was a medium fast bowler and batted at 10th or 11th number. Unfortunately he could not perform well for Pakistan which lost the series 4-0. D’Souza represented PIA, Karachi Blues, Karachi and Peshawar as a first class cricketer and in 61 matches played he scored 815 runs. He took 190 wickets in first class matches with seven wickets against just 33 runs. He left Pakistan for Canada with family in 1999.
Before the inception of Pakistan Hindus played in great numbers and prominent players were Samper, Naoomal Jeoomal Makhija, Kishan Chandar, Gopal Das, Map, Deep Chand, S.K. Gardahari, D Shankar, Parsaram, Samtani, Roop Chand, Nirutam, Shankar Das, Baman Mal, and all-rounder Ram Chand who migrated to Bharat where he remained captain of Indian Team. India toured Pakistan in his captainship.
Anil Dalpat was the first Hindu cricketer of Pakistan and emerged as an excellent wicket keeper- batsman Born on 20th September 1963 he replaced legendary wicketkeeper Wasim Bari for a while who got injured. Dalpat had a good experience of first class cricket. He kept wicket well in the match against England while Abdul Qadir bowled a match winning streak. Pakistan won this match by three wickets. Dalpat played nine Test matches ousting 25 batsmen.
In 1984-85 he scored 52 runs against New Zealand, his highest score in a Test match. He also scored 167 runs in 9 Test matches with an average of 18.15 including a half century. His performance remained bad in 1985. He played 15 One-day Internationals and scored 87 runs with a highest score of 37 runs. However, his performance in first-class cricket was good. He played 137 matches and scored 2556 runs. After announcing retirement he shifted to Canada permanently.
Danish Parabha Shankar Kaneria born on 16th December 1980 emerged as an excellent cricketer from Hindu community. He was a spin bowler and was seventh non-Muslim to represent Pakistan in international cricket. He had a long career in which he played 61 test matches and took 261 wickets at an average of 34.79. In 18 one day matches, he got 15 wickets at an average of 45. His best match take was seven wickets for 77 runs while in a match his best performance was 12 wickets for just 94 runs against Bangladesh. He took 10 or more wickets in a match against Bangladesh and Sri-Lanka. He missed the Pakistan team in international T-20 matches. However he played 65 T-20 matches (domestic).He played 206 first class matches. Kaneria also represented UKs Essex County but was banned for life due to a spot fixing scandal which closed the gate of great games for him.
Former first class cricketer Mohindar Kumar was born in 1959 in Karachi and remained captain of Karachi team during 1976 to 1993 he played 65 first class matches and 53 List-A matches between Karachi and House Building Finance Corporation’s team.
Rajesh Ramesh who was born in 1982 was also rated as one of the finest cricketers who played 67 first class matches taking 242 wickets while representing the Public Works Department.
Issac Solomen born in Jew family in 1949 was also remembered as one of the excellent cricketers from Karachi who represented St. Patricks College during 1969-70 and became its captain in 1971. He was selected as opening batsman of All Christian Eleven by Wallis Mathais although he did not play Test cricket for Pakistan but he was selected as first reserve player for Karachi Whites which played Ayub Trophy. Presently he is living in America.