Abdul Aziz (cricketer)
history
Abdul Aziz (born 1941, Karachi, Sind and died 17 January 1959, aged 17,
Extract from Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, »1959 Obituaries (requires registration). Published in 1960. Karachi) was a Pakistani cricketer. A wicket keeper and opening batsman, Abdul Aziz played eight first-class matches for Karachi, before he was tragically killed after being struck by the ball. He was a student at S. M. College and worked for the Pakistan State Bank.
In the semi-final of the 1958/59 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Abdul Aziz was the non-striker as Hanif Mohammed was run out for 499 on the last ball of the third day's play.Lynch, Stephen (2007) »Out for 99, and the highest totals without a century, 2007-08-27, Cricinfo. Retrieved on 2008-08-21. This was the highest-score in first-class cricket that stood until Brian Lara scored 501 not out in 1994. Karachi won the match by an innings and 479 runs.
A week later, whilst batting in the first-innings of the Quaid-e-Azam final against Pakistan Combined Services, Aziz was struck "over the heart by a slow off break from Dildwar Awan »sic. While preparing to receive the next ball, Aziz fell to the ground and never regained conciousness", dying en route to hospital. It is believed the blow aggravated an existing, undiagnosed heart condition. A player who does not bat in a innings is recorded in the scorecard as "absent". In some scorecards, Aziz is recorded as "absent dead"»Karachi v Combined Services in 1958/59 scorecard, 1959-01-21, CricketArchive. Retrieved on 2008-08-21. in the second innings.
Aziz's death was the third instance of the death of a cricketer during a first-class cricket match, succeeding those of Maurice Nichol and Charlie Bull in the thirties. George Summers died in 1870 of a head injury sustained in a match, but a few days after it.
Two of Aziz's brothers also played first-class cricket: Abdul Kadir played one match for North-West Frontier Province;»Abdul Kadir profile, CricketArchive. Retrieved on 2008-08-21 Abdur Rasheed played 28 matches between 1953/54 and 1964/65.»Abdur Rasheed profile, CricketArchive. Retrieved on 2008-08-21
- Haigh, Gideon ed. (2006). "Aziz, Abdul" in Peter, the Lord's Cat. London, Aurum Press. ISBN 1-84513-163-0