The final week of October 1952 witnessed a historic moment in subcontinental cricket. After India’s dominant win in the Delhi Test, the two teams travelled to the University Ground, Lucknow, for the second Test of the series from October 23 to 26, 1952. What unfolded became an unforgettable chapter in Pakistan’s early cricketing journey.
Led by A. H. Kardar, Pakistan responded with remarkable character, determination, and discipline. Their bowlers, especially the legendary Fazal Mahmood, produced one of the most lethal spells in early Test history, guiding Pakistan to their first-ever Test victory, a landmark achievement for the young nation.
For India, captained by Lala Amarnath, the match turned into a nightmare as their batting crumbled twice under the swing and seam of Pakistan’s quicks. The result, a defeat by an innings and 43 runs, remains one of India’s heaviest early home losses.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs. Pakistan – 2nd Test |
| Dates | 23–26 October 1952 |
| Venue | University Ground, Lucknow |
| Toss | India won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | M. G. Vijaya Rao & T. V. Ramaswamy |
| Significance | Pakistan registered their first-ever Test victory |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | Pakistan (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Lala Amarnath (c) | Abdul Hafeez Kardar (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Nazar Mohammad |
| Vijay Hazare | Hanif Mohammad |
| Polly Umrigar | Abdul Kadir |
| Hemu Adhikari | Maqsood Ahmed |
| Vinoo Mankad | Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) |
| Dattu Phadkar | Mahmood Hussain |
| Gul Mohammad | Khan Mohammad |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Fazal Mahmood |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Anwar Hussain |
| Ramchand | Shujauddin |
India 1st Innings – 106 all out
Winning the toss, India chose to bat first, hoping to build on their momentum from Delhi. But the pitch offered early movement, and Pakistan’s pacers made full use of the conditions.
Fazal Mahmood (5/52) was the star of the innings, swinging the ball sharply and repeatedly beating the bat. Supporting him, Khan Mohammad (3/21) bowled with pace and rhythm.
Only Pankaj Roy (27) and Umrigar (22) showed some resistance. India were bowled out for just 106, putting them under immediate pressure.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 27 | c Imtiaz b Fazal |
| Lala Amarnath (c) | 4 | b Fazal |
| Vijay Hazare | 2 | b Fazal |
| Polly Umrigar | 22 | lbw Fazal |
| Hemu Adhikari | 13 | b Khan Mohammad |
| Gul Mohammad | 0 | b Khan Mohammad |
| Vinoo Mankad | 6 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Dattu Phadkar | 12 | c Hanif b Khan Mohammad |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 3 | b Fazal |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 3 | b Fazal |
| Ramchand | 1* | Not out |
| Total | 106 all out | 35.2 overs |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 331 all out
Pakistan batted with composure and authority, led by a brilliant century from Nazar Mohammad (124), the first ever Test hundred by a Pakistani opening batsman. His knock was the backbone of the innings, full of grit, patience, and determination.
Support came from Hanif Mohammad (51) and Kardar (32) as Pakistan built a huge lead of 225 runs.
India’s bowlers struggled for breakthroughs, though Vinoo Mankad (5/127) fought hard as always.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Nazar Mohammad | 124* | Not out |
| Hanif Mohammad | 51 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Abdul Kadir | 6 | c Hazare b Mankad |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 28 | c Sen b Mankad |
| A. H. Kardar (c) | 32 | c Adhikari b Mankad |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 21 | c Ghulam b Mankad |
| Mahmood Hussain | 18 | c Roy b Mankad |
| Khan Mohammad | 7 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Fazal Mahmood | 11 | b Mankad |
| Anwar Hussain | 4 | c Mankad b Phadkar |
| Shujauddin | 2 | Run out |
| Total | 331 all out |
India 2nd Innings – 182 all out
India, trailing by 225, needed a massive effort to save the match, but Pakistan’s attack once again proved too strong.
Fazal Mahmood (7/42) delivered one of the greatest spells ever bowled in Asian Test cricket. His swing, seam, and relentless accuracy demolished India’s batting lineup.
Hazare (41), Adhikari (24), and Phadkar (28) tried to rebuild, but the pressure was overwhelming.
India managed only 182, confirming one of their earliest heavy defeats at home.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 18 | c Kardar b Fazal |
| Lala Amarnath | 0 | b Fazal |
| Vijay Hazare | 41 | c Imtiaz b Fazal |
| Polly Umrigar | 16 | b Fazal |
| Hemu Adhikari | 24 | c Maqsood b Fazal |
| Gul Mohammad | 21 | b Fazal |
| Vinoo Mankad | 9 | b Fazal |
| Dattu Phadkar | 28 | c Hanif b Fazal |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 9 | b Khan Mohammad |
| Probir Sen | 7 | c Kardar b Fazal |
| Ramchand | 2* | Not out |
| Total | 182 all out |
Highlights of the Match
- Pakistan secured their first-ever Test victory, a historic milestone.
- Fazal Mahmood’s extraordinary match figures (12/94) dismantled India almost single-handedly.
- Nazar Mohammad’s patient and disciplined 124* became Pakistan’s first Test century.
- India’s batting collapses in both innings defined the outcome of the match.
- Mankad’s all-round fight (5/127 & 6 runs) was one of the few positives for India.
- Lucknow witnessed the rise of Pakistan as a competitive force in Test cricket.