As the historic 1952 India-Pakistan Test series moved south to Madras, anticipation was high for another intense contest. The series stood level after India’s emphatic win in Delhi and Pakistan’s historic first Test victory in Lucknow. From November 28 to December 1, 1952, the iconic M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) hosted the third Test of the series.
Amid humid conditions, a slow turner, and a large, passionate crowd, both teams fought hard. Batting resilience defined the match, as neither side was able to force a win. Brilliant half-centuries from Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Vijay Hazare, and Polly Umrigar ensured a gripping contest that ultimately ended in a draw.
Though the match didn’t produce a result, it showcased the developing maturity of both teams, especially Pakistan’s growing confidence on foreign soil and India’s disciplined batting approach.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs. Pakistan – 3rd Test |
| Dates | 28 November–1 December 1952 |
| Venue | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Madras |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | P. Ramaswamy & M. G. Vijaya Rao |
| Significance | Third Test of the inaugural India-Pakistan series |
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 |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 299 all out
Pakistan, choosing to bat first, started strongly. The experienced Nazar Mohammad (60) and the young prodigy Hanif Mohammad (96) built a superb partnership, negotiating India’s spinners with caution and class. Hanif’s 96 was the highlight of the innings – a near-century built on patience, footwork, and exceptional temperament.
Captain Kardar (32) and Imtiaz Ahmed (29) also contributed, but India’s spinners fought back well. Vinoo Mankad (4/82) and Ghulam Ahmed (3/84) bowled long, disciplined spells to restrict Pakistan to 299.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Nazar Mohammad | 60 | c Umrigar b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Hanif Mohammad | 96 | c Sen b Mankad |
| Abdul Kadir | 14 | b Mankad |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 21 | b Phadkar |
| A. H. Kardar (c) | 32 | c Roy b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 29 | c Adhikari b Mankad |
| Mahmood Hussain | 5 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Khan Mohammad | 8 | c Mankad b Umrigar |
| Fazal Mahmood | 11 | b Mankad |
| Anwar Hussain | 7 | Run out |
| Shujauddin | 4* | Not out |
| Total | 299 all out |
India 1st Innings – 253 all out
India replied with determination. Vijay Hazare (64) played a classical, technically assured innings, piercing gaps with ease. Pankaj Roy (44) and Polly Umrigar (52) chipped in with crucial partnerships that kept India in the contest.
Pakistan’s star pacer Fazal Mahmood (5/66) continued his exceptional series form, extracting movement even on a slower pitch. His disciplined bowling ensured India could not cross Pakistan’s total, as India finished with 253, trailing by 46 runs.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 44 | c Kardar b Fazal |
| Lala Amarnath | 16 | b Khan Mohammad |
| Vijay Hazare | 64 | lbw Fazal |
| Polly Umrigar | 52 | c Imtiaz b Mahmood Hussain |
| Hemu Adhikari | 27 | b Fazal |
| Gul Mohammad | 12 | c Kadir b Fazal |
| Vinoo Mankad | 18 | b Anwar Hussain |
| Dattu Phadkar | 8 | b Fazal |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 6 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Probir Sen | 3 | c Imtiaz b Khan Mohammad |
| Ramchand | 3* | Not out |
| Total | 253 all out |
Pakistan 2nd Innings – 130/7 declared
Looking to accelerate and set up a result, Pakistan batted positively in the second innings. Imtiaz Ahmed (45) played freely, while Maqsood Ahmed (33) provided stability. However, India’s bowlers tightened control as Mankad (3/41) and Ghulam Ahmed (2/37) kept Pakistan from running away with the game.
Pakistan declared at 130/7, leaving India a target of 177.
India 2nd Innings – 130/6
India approached the chase cautiously, recognizing the tricky pitch and Pakistan’s threatening bowling. Umrigar (36) and Hazare (29) held the innings together, but frequent wickets checked India’s progress.
As the final session approached, declining light and slow scoring ensured the match would end in a draw, with India at 130/6 when stumps were called.
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- Hanif Mohammad’s outstanding 96, showcasing his early mastery of Test batting.
- Fazal Mahmood’s consistency continued with another five-wicket haul (5/66).
- Mankad’s all-round brilliance with 7 wickets in the match kept India competitive.
- Hazare’s fluent 64 and Umrigar’s composed fifty stabilized India’s innings.
- Pakistan’s declaration attempt and India’s late resilience ensured a gripping finish.
- The draw kept the series level, setting up an exciting finale.