Majid Khan – a maestro at work
The legacy of British colonialism has surely left great scars on the subcontinent, however the British did not leave the inhabitants of this land empty handed. They gave its people a gift that they will cherish for years, the game of cricket. The subcontinent
or pre-partition India had produced many great players and one such player to have played for India in the first Cricket team, was none other than the father of the majestic Majid Khan, Jahangir Khan. Jahangir Khan was not only a good batsman but a quality
bowler as well, having taken more than 300 wickets in first class and scoring in excess of 3000 runs with 4 centuries.
Jahangir was a selector when Majid first went for his trials. Upon finding out that his son had given his trials for a slot in the national side, Jahangir Khan resigned. Such were the great times of Pakistan cricket and the extent of integrity that was at
the heart of their game. In its 63 year old legacy the Muslim state of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Fazal-c56914 Mehmood who completely dazzled everyone in England, was followed suit by
many fine cricketers such as Hanif Mohammad and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Majid-Jahangir-Khan-c73930. Raised in the Kipling’s ancient city of Lahore, he was a thoroughbred sporting prodigy.
Born exactly 64 years ago on September 28, today to Dr Jahangir Khan who was not only a fast bowler for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and Cambridge but also an intellectual and famously bowled the ball that killed a sparrow on the cricket pitch. Some say that on less successful
occasions the cricketer would break into philosophical verse while fielding. Majid Khan’s father did not coach the fine cricketer however he was a constant source of inspiration for his son and encouraged him to play at all levels. Despite the fact that Majid
found himself greatly polished as a player after playing county championship for two years, Majid was an exciting batsman to watch with quick reflexes and darting footwork. He had a perfect disposition achieving the right balance between attack and defence.
The champion of Glamorgan rose to fame when he famously rescued Pakistan against Glamorgan with an 89 minute 147. He later represented http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Glamorgan-c784 with distinction playing an innings for them that included 13 sixes 5 of which came in one over. Playing under
the shadow of the little master Hanif Mohammad himself, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Majid-Khan-c73932 established himself in the cricketing arena as one of the best on his day. In only his debut first class match for Lahore he scored 111 not out and also took 6 wickets for 67 with his fast
bowling. He could not have announced his entry in the cricketing arena in a better fashion.
Following a tour of England in 1963, with the Eaglets where he topped the chart with his bowling average, Majid Khan at the age of 18 years and 26 days was picked up by Pakistan to play in his first test. The fifth youngest from his country and the 9th
youngest in the history of cricket. Majid made his place in the national side based on his bowling remaining true to his startling beginnings, he took the wicket of Bill Lawry in only his second over. However questions were raised about the legality of his
bowling action and as a result Majid decided to change his bowling action to eliminate his bumper. As a result he did not go to New Zealand or http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 this time playing against
them as a batsman.
His passion for the game was unending and his determination was evident in his quest to find the perfect bowling style he continued to experiment with his technique. As a result just a year later he pulled his back muscles and the injury affected his fitness.
Majid was not one to give up quickly and as a result of the injury started to sleep on hard boards which was recommended as a cure to the back injury. The habit of sleeping on hard floors grew so much on him, that he continues to prefer the floor over a soft
mattress.
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