Five Firsts

The fear of the King

Classical dismissals, a rescue with the bat, and partnering Miandad

16-Feb-2009


Tauseef was at the other end when Miandad hit his last-ball six against India © Getty Images
First classical offspiner's dismissal at international level
It was in 1985 in Sharjah. I got two in that fashion: Mohammad Azharuddin and Kapil Dev, both bowled.
First batsman who scared me with his hitting ability Vivian Richards. In 1985, West Indies came to Pakistan, and during that series Richards treated all of our bowlers mercilessly. In the Gujranwala one-dayer he scored 80 not out off 39 balls and hit us ferociously to all parts of the ground.
First five-for in Tests
It was against Sri Lanka in 1985, in Karachi. It was a great feeling. I got the big wickets of Aravinda De Silva and Asanka Gurusinha in that five-for.
First words exchanged with Javed Miandad, having walked out to bat in the 1986 Sharjah final (where Miandad hit a last-ball six)
He asked me straightaway, "Kya karoge? [What will you do?]". I replied "Bhagoonga [will run for everything]", and that was what I did eventually.
First time my batting was appreciated more than my bowling
It was against West Indies in Karachi, in 1986. Imran Khan and I got together to save the Test match by batting for an hour-and-a-half. We managed to draw the Test, and the series 1-1. I faced Malcolm Marshall, Tony Gray and Courtney Walsh in that unbeaten innings of 7 off 65 balls.

As told to Syed Ahsan Ali