Salim Durani

Salim Aziz Durani (pronunciation ; 11 December 1934 – 2 April 2023) was an Afghan-born Indian cricketer who played in 29 Test matches from 1960 to 1973. An all-rounder, Durani was a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a left-handed batsman famous for his six-hitting prowess. He is the only Indian Test cricketer to have been born in Afghanistan.[3]

Salim Durani
Personal information
Full name
Salim Aziz Durani
Born(1934-12-11)11 December 1934
Kabul, Afghanistan[1]
Died2 April 2023(2023-04-02) (aged 88)
Jamnagar, Gujarat, India[2]
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingSlow left-arm orthodox
RoleAll-rounder
RelationsAbdul Aziz (father)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 95)1 January 1960 v Australia
Last Test6 February 1973 v England
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1953Saurashtra
1954–1956Gujarat
1956–1978Rajasthan
Career statistics
Competition Test First-class
Matches 29 170
Runs scored 1,202 8,545
Batting average 25.04 33.37
100s/50s 1/7 14/45
Top score 104 137*
Balls bowled 6,446 28,130
Wickets 74 484
Bowling average 35.42 26.09
5 wickets in innings 3 21
10 wickets in match 1 2
Best bowling 6/73 8/99
Catches/stumpings 14/– 144/4
Source: Cricinfo, 12 June 2013

Cricket career

Durani was the hero of India's series victory against England in 1961–62. He took 8 and 10 wickets in their wins at Kolkata and Chennai, respectively. Also, a decade later, he would be instrumental in India's maiden victory[4] against the West Indies at Port of Spain, taking the wickets of Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers.[5]

In his 50 Test innings, he made just the one century, 104 against the West Indies in 1962. He played for Gujarat, Rajasthan and Saurashtra in first-class cricket. He made 14 hundreds in first-class cricket in which he managed 8545 runs at 33.37. Durani had a special rapport with the spectators, who once agitated when he was dropped from the team for the Kanpur Test in 1973, with placards and slogans such as, "No Durani, no test!"

As the only Afghanistan-born Indian test cricketer, he was present during the historic India vs Afghanistan test match on 14 June 2018.[6]

Film career

Durani appeared in the film Charitra with Parveen Babi in 1973.[7] He was the first cricketer to win an Arjuna Award. He was awarded the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in 2011.[8]

Death

Salim Durani died from cancer on 2 April 2023, at the age of 88. He was living with his brother, Jahangir Durani, in Gujarat's Jamnagar and had undergone a surgery for thigh bone fracture earlier in the year.[9][10]

It was said that Salim Durrani used to hit a six on the demand of the audience in the cricket field. People also called him a romantic hero. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has expressed grief over his death.[11]

See also

References
  1. Ezekiel, Gulu (27 June 2017). "Afghan cricket: The Indian connection". Rediff.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. Former India cricketer Salim Durani passes away aged 88
  3. "Nationalities of Test Cricketers". Archived from the original on 25 January 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
  4. The Hindu, 6 May 2020, Kozhikode Edition, p. 14
  5. "India news: Sachin Tendulkar, Salim Durani honoured at BCCI awards".
  6. Team, DNA Web (14 June 2018). "Kabul-born Indian cricketer present during toss of historic India vs Afghanistan Test". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  7. Parveen Babi
  8. "C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for Durani". The Hindu. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  9. "Former Indian cricketer Salim Durani passes away at 88". 2 April 2023.
  10. "Indian cricket great Salim Durani dies at 88". The Times of India. 2 April 2023.
  11. "Salim Durani Passes Away: Salim Durrani, the romantic cricketer who hit a six on the demand of the audience, passed away". Yugantar Pravah. 2 April 2023.
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