alaluddin, having relocated to the USA, where cricket coaching remains his passion as he is frequently watched and viewed contributing his bit in the grounds. Recently, he was happily celebrating the 42nd anniversary of his hat-trick in Houston with his trainees.

“September 20, 1982 indeed was a memorable day of my life and cricket history,” he reiterated while referring to the first-ever hat-trick in the history of One-day Internationals which was recorded by him.

The majority of the present generation of the game’s enthusiasts and followers may not be aware of the fact that limited overs international cricket was introduced accidentally on January 5, 1971. The first-ever ODI was abruptly organized between hosts Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground only when the New Year Test between the two traditional rivals was abandoned due to rain.

It was more than 11 years and 157 matches later when the first-ever hat-trick in ODIs finally took place on September 20, 1982 at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad (Sindh). The 23-year-old Jalaluddin, the tall and well-built fast bowler from Karachi, immortalized himself by achieving the feat which also earned Pakistan 59-run victory over Australia in the opening encounter of three-match series.

Although the final margin suggested otherwise, it was far from a one-sided win for the hosts. The Aussies were very much in the hunt for the target of 230 in 40 overs when Jalaluddin, already having dismissed the great left-hander, Allan Border, came on to bowl what turned out to be the most sensational over of the game. He started the slump by castling the dangerous Rodney Marsh and then accounted for Bruce Yardley and Geoff Lawson on the next couple of deliveries to complete a hat-trick, the first in the history of ODIs.

The hat-trick derailed Australia completely as they crashed from 162 for four to 162 for seven in a matter of three deliveries. They were eventually restricted to 170 for nine in 40 overs with the tail-enders, Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman, unable to hit out in the final overs. Jalaluddin, with a four-wicket haul, was credited for also bowling Pakistan to victory besides achieving the first-ever hat-trick.

The kind of impact Jalaluddin, with his lively pace and prodigious swing, made in his initial appearances at the international level, he was deemed more than good enough to play many matches for the country but it was not to be. He was sidelined unjustly and treated harshly by the selectors at the behest of movers and shakers of the game in Pakistan. It was nothing short of tragedy that he was fielded in only six Tests and eight ODIs despite the enormous talent he possessed.

The politicking and victimization during his playing days did not deter him from building a strong portfolio as a coach, organizer and administrator after hanging his boots. He revolutionized the concept of cricket coaching in Pakistan with his scientific approach and he succeeded in putting to use his wealth of knowledge admirably to continue producing and grooming innumerable promising youngsters, season after season.

The Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), established by him with negligible departmental support, became the hub of coaching in Karachi and cricketers of every grade and status took pride in availing its facilities and facilities.

Despite his unmatchable track record as a coach in particular, his services have yet not been acquired properly by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reasons best known to the people having headed the body from time to time. It’s an open secret that he has the vision and the roadmap to turn Pakistan cricket around, if provided an opportunity.

Isn’t it a shame that incapable and incompetent coaches of all kinds have been tried in the recent past but Jalaluddin was hardly ever offered a worthy assignment to arrest the decline of Pakistan cricket? Hopefully better sense will prevail in the near future. There is a general feeling that, possessing vast experience with a proven track record, he remains the best qualified person to bring about a change in the cricket affairs of the country. Jalaluddin does have the potential and the capability to take Pakistan cricket out of the woods.