Former Pakistan Cricketer and Chief Selector Mohammad Ilyas Dies at 79

Former Pakistan opener Mohammad Ilyas has passed away at 79. A legendary cricketer, Ilyas played 10 Tests and 82 first-class matches for Pakistan between 1961-1976. He also served as a chief selector for Pakistan cricket. Ilyas is remembered for his contributions to Pakistani cricket. Three years and three first-class hundreds later - including in a warm-up game against Queensland - he was debuting for Pakistan, in their one-off Test at the MCG. He was joined again as a debutant by an illustrious contemporary, this time Ian Chappell. As an aggressive and enterprising batter, with a strong hook shot, he did well on the tour, scoring another hundred against South Australia after the Test. He remained in and around Pakistan squads through the decade, touring England in 1967, playing against England at home in 1969. But that series proved to be his last Test. He toured Australia and New Zealand for the 1972-73 series but was, infamously, turfed out of the squad after an alleged physical altercation with then BCCP (as the PCB was known) chief Abdul Hafeez Kardar.