Today, I mourn the loss of another Hero. Yet, another great man no longer walks among us.

Fazal Mahmood passed away at the age of 78 yesterday. For those of you who don't know, he is the first Bowling Great of Pakistan. In a country that produced some of the greatest fast bowlers ever to play the game of cricket, he was the first of his kind. He was not about express pace though. He was a line-length and deceptive, cutters-and-breaks, medium-fast bowler.

The man will forever be remembered as the Hero of The Oval test in 1954, Pakistan's first victory over England. His 12 wickets for 99 runs in the two innings (6 in each) won Pakistan a close-fought match and drew the series. He was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year 1955--the first Pakistani to achieve this distinction.

May Allah rest his soul.
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The Dawn Obituary.