The new year of 1955 opened with one of the most intriguing and hard-fought encounters in early India–Pakistan Test history. The two teams met at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (then Dacca Stadium), Dacca, for the third Test of the series from January 2 to 6, 1955. Conditions were slow, humid, and tailor-made for long batting spells and grinding cricket, and both sides delivered exactly that.
Led by Vijay Hazare, India entered Dacca with confidence, while Pakistan, captained by A. H. Kardar, were determined to secure their first win of the series. What followed was a gripping Test dominated by long innings, disciplined bowling, and a surface that refused to deteriorate even after five days of play.
In the end, the match ended in a draw, but not before producing memorable performances from Pankaj Roy, Polly Umrigar, and Hanif Mohammad, whose patient batting set the tone for the classic stalemate.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs. Pakistan – 3rd Test |
| Dates | 2–6 January 1955 |
| Venue | Bangabandhu National Stadium (Dacca Stadium), Dacca |
| Toss | India won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | D. D. Gupta & M. A. Ansari |
| Significance | A marathon Test defined by long innings and disciplined batting |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | Pakistan (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare (c) | A. H. Kardar (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Hanif Mohammad |
| Vijay Manjrekar | Alimuddin |
| Polly Umrigar | Maqsood Ahmed |
| Gul Mohammad | Wazir Mohammad |
| Dattu Phadkar | Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Zulfiqar Ahmed |
| Vinoo Mankad | Khan Mohammad |
| Subhash Gupte | Fazal Mahmood |
| N. Sen Gupta | Shujauddin |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Mahmood Hussain |
India 1st Innings – 409 all out
India made full use of winning the toss, as Pankaj Roy (99) played one of his finest Test innings, narrowly missing a well-deserved century. His steady partnership with Polly Umrigar (69) set the foundation for a strong total.
Later, Ghulam Ahmed (50) and Phadkar (39) added crucial lower-order runs, punishing Pakistan’s tiring bowlers. Pakistan struggled to break partnerships, despite the efforts of Zulfiqar Ahmed (4/87).
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 99 | c Imtiaz b Fazal |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 15 | c Kardar b Zulfiqar |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 44 | c Hanif b Khan Mohammad |
| Polly Umrigar | 69 | c Wazir b Zulfiqar |
| Gul Mohammad | 35 | c Shujauddin b Zulfiqar |
| Dattu Phadkar | 39 | b Fazal |
| Vinoo Mankad | 18 | b Shujauddin |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 50 | c Imtiaz b Zulfiqar |
| Subhash Gupte | 12 | lbw Khan Mohammad |
| N. Sen Gupta | 7 | b Shujauddin |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 6* | Not out |
| Extras | 15 | |
| Total | 409 all out |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 257 all out
Pakistan responded with patience and discipline, much of it thanks to the legendary Hanif Mohammad (95), who once again showcased his unmatched temperament. His near-century was the backbone of the innings.
Wazir Mohammad (43) and Imtiaz Ahmed (36) added key support, but India’s spinners dominated proceedings. Subhash Gupte (4/69) was exceptional, turning the ball sharply and breaking partnerships at critical moments.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Hanif Mohammad | 95 | c Sen b Gupte |
| Alimuddin | 18 | b Mankad |
| A. H. Kardar (c) | 21 | c Hazare b Phadkar |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 12 | c Manjrekar b Gupte |
| Wazir Mohammad | 43 | lbw Mankad |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 36 | c Ghulam b Gupte |
| Zulfiqar Ahmed | 8 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Khan Mohammad | 4 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Fazal Mahmood | 3 | c Roy b Gupte |
| Shujauddin | 7 | b Mankad |
| Mahmood Hussain | 2* | Not out |
| Total | 257 all out |
Pakistan Follow-On NOT Enforced
India chose not to enforce the follow-on, preferring to bat again. However, fading light and time constraints meant the innings did not progress meaningfully before stumps, and the match headed toward a draw.
(Note: Historically, Pakistan was not asked to follow on and the match ended without a second innings for India.)
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- Pankaj Roy’s brilliant 99 showed superb control and patience at the top of the order.
- Hanif Mohammad’s masterful 95 reaffirmed his status as the wall of Pakistan cricket.
- Subhash Gupte’s 4/69 and Vinoo Mankad’s all-round control turned the game India’s way early on.
- The pitch offered little deterioration, making it ideal for long batting spells and defensive play.
- Both teams displayed iron discipline, resulting in a classic early-era subcontinental draw.
- This Test showcased the tactical maturity developing in both Indian and Pakistani cricket during the 1950s.