The final Test of the 1954–55 India v/s Pakistan series brought the cricketing world to the National Stadium, Karachi, marking the culmination of a hard-fought, low-scoring, and highly tactical contest between two of Asia’s growing cricketing rivals. Played from February 26 to March 1, 1955, the match showcased classic Test cricket, attritional batting, unyielding bowling, and sharp fielding.
Both teams had battled through four drawn Tests already, and Karachi offered one last chance to break the deadlock. But despite competitive cricket, disciplined bowling, and spirited batting from both sides, the match ended in yet another stalemate.
Led by Vijay Hazare, India relied heavily on patience with the bat and spin control with the ball. Pakistan, captained by A. H. Kardar, played with resilience, led by strong batting efforts from Hanif Mohammad and Imtiaz Ahmed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs. India – 5th Test |
| Dates | 26 February – 1 March 1955 |
| Venue | National Stadium, Karachi |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Series | 5-Match Series Drawn 0–0 |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | M. A. Qureshi & Idrees Baig |
| Significance | Final Test of the 1954–55 India–Pakistan Test series |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | Pakistan (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare (c) | Abdul Hafeez Kardar (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Hanif Mohammad |
| Polly Umrigar | Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) |
| Vijay Manjrekar | Alimuddin |
| Gul Mohammad | Maqsood Ahmed |
| Dattu Phadkar | Wazir Mohammad |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Shujauddin |
| Subhash Gupte | Zulfiqar Ahmed |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Khan Mohammad |
| N. Adhikari | Mahmood Hussain |
| Vinoo Mankad |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 224 all out
Pakistan started steadily, driven by the resolute Hanif Mohammad (58) and the attacking flair of Imtiaz Ahmed (48). India’s bowlers, especially Ghulam Ahmed (5/62) and Subhash Gupte (4/79), kept Pakistan in check with sharp spin and clever flight.
Despite good starts, Pakistan couldn’t build a commanding total, finishing at 224.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Hanif Mohammad | 58 | c Manjrekar b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Alimuddin | 33 | c Sen b Gupte |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 48 | c Roy b Gupte |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 9 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Wazir Mohammad | 16 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| A. H. Kardar (c) | 23 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Zulfiqar Ahmed | 8 | c Mankad b Gupte |
| Shujauddin | 11 | b Gupte |
| Khan Mohammad | 4 | c Hazare b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Mahmood Hussain | 2 | b Phadkar |
| Extras | 12 | |
| Total | 224 all out | 78 overs |
Top Bowlers (India):
- Ghulam Ahmed – 5/62
- Subhash Gupte – 4/79
India 1st Innings – 235 all out
India replied with a slow but important innings. Pankaj Roy (68) played the anchor, while Polly Umrigar (37) and Vijay Manjrekar (39) provided crucial support.
Pakistan’s spin attack, led by Zulfiqar Ahmed (5/79), frequently dented India’s progress. India eventually secured a narrow 11-run lead, finishing at 235.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 68 | c Hanif b Zulfiqar |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 17 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Polly Umrigar | 37 | b Zulfiqar |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 39 | c Imtiaz b Khan Mohammad |
| Gul Mohammad | 8 | lbw Zulfiqar |
| Dattu Phadkar | 19 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 11 | c Shujauddin b Zulfiqar |
| Vinoo Mankad | 6 | b Zulfiqar |
| Subhash Gupte | 9 | c Kardar b Khan Mohammad |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 13 | b Khan Mohammad |
| N. Adhikari | 2* | Not out |
| Extras | 6 | |
| Total | 235 all out | 88 overs |
Top Bowlers (Pakistan):
- Zulfiqar Ahmed – 5/79
- Khan Mohammad – 3/40
Pakistan 2nd Innings – 156/7 (Match Drawn)
Pakistan began the second innings cautiously. With insufficient time left for a result, the focus shifted to batting out safely.
Wazir Mohammad (45) and Hanif Mohammad (39) played with characteristic discipline. India’s spinners once again dominated, with Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed chipping away.
At 156/7, stumps were called on Day 5, ending the match, and series, in a draw.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Hanif Mohammad | 39 | c Sen b Mankad |
| Alimuddin | 26 | b Gupte |
| Imtiaz Ahmed | 21 | c Mankad b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Wazir Mohammad | 45 | c Roy b Mankad |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 7 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Kardar | 5 | lbw Mankad |
| Shujauddin | 6 | Not out |
| Zulfiqar Ahmed | 1 | Not out |
| Total | 156/7 | (Match Drawn) |
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- Pakistan and India concluded the 5-match series 0-0, with all Tests drawn.
- Ghulam Ahmed (5/62) and Zulfiqar Ahmed (5/79) dominated with superb spin bowling.
- Pankaj Roy’s steady 68 gave India a crucial first-innings lead.
- Hanif Mohammad’s combined scores (58 & 39) highlighted his growing stature as Pakistan’s batting mainstay.
- The Karachi pitch offered slow turn, long batting sessions, and classic Test-match attrition.
- A fitting end to one of the most evenly balanced early India–Pakistan series.