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Usman Qadir may be new to the international arena but bagging accolades in his debut series is a feat that would have made his late father very proud
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They said ‘like father, like son’ long before talented sons of international cricketers made it to the top. Some kids managed to emulate their fathers but many didn’t and went back to the obscurity they came from. With the successful debut of Usman Qadir during the T20I series against Zimbabwe, people have started comparing him to his father Abdul Qadir, the great leg spinner who kept the art alive during the 70s and the 80s, and lives on through his son. Let’s take a look at some of the cricketers who made their fathers proud either by emulating them, or by going one step further. Read on: |
Nazar Mohammad/
Mudassar Nazar
One was the first Test batsman from Pakistan to carry the bat in a Test inning (1952); the other did the same thing against the same opponents thirty years later. Yes, we are talking about Nazar Mohammad and Mudassar Nazar, the only father-son duo to ‘Carry the Bat’ in a Test inning. Both were solid openers who gave ‘go slow’ a practical demonstration even though in Mudassar’s times, opening batsmen started to play aggressively. Nazar Mohammad’s career lasted just one series because of a domestic accident that damaged his arm, but his son went on to play 76 Tests and 122 ODIs for his country, scored 10 centuries, took 177 international wickets, and was deemed ‘Man with the Golden Arm’ for his heroics in a Test match.
Lala Amarnath/Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath
Lala Amarnath was to Indian Cricket what Abdul Hafeez Kardar was to Pakistan; he scored a century on debut while playing for United India in 1933 and after an illustrious Test career went on to play an integral part in India’s rise as a formidable cricketing nation. Two of his three sons went on to represent India and managed to emulate their father. Surinder also scored a century on Test debut. Mohinder became an all-rounder like his dad and helped India win the World Cup in 1983. Like his brave father who stood against patriarchy and lost many years of his career, Mohinder stood tall against pacers and was considered one of the finest players of fast bowling.
Hanif Mohammad/
Shoaib Mohammad
Hanif Mohammad might have been short in height but when it came to cricket, he was a giant. He was Pakistan’s first superstar alongside Fazal Mehmood and represented the country in most of the initial Test matches, scoring a triple century, a double century, and crossed a 100 on ten separate occasions in 55 Tests. In addition, he was an excellent fielder who helped Pakistan win matches even when not batting. His son Shoaib Mohammad wasn’t much different. He was also an excellent batsmen who scored 7 centuries in Tests, was Pakistan’s highest scorer in ODIs for a number of years, and was amongst the best fielders in the world. Both had an average of mid-40s with Shoaib winning the race with 44, and Hanif trailing behind at 43, although Hanif played 55 Tests compared to his son’s 45!
Chris Broad/Stuart Broad
There was a time when Chris Broad was considered one of the most aggressive cricketers in the world, yet today he is a match referee to keep aggression in control. When his son Stuart made his Test debut, a team member thought he was just a good-looking kid wanting to emulate his father. That very youngster is now the second-highest wicket-taker in the world when it comes to pacers, and is a threat for batsmen in seaming conditions. His father Chris played 25 Tests in 5 years, scoring 7 international centuries (6 in Tests, 1 in ODIs). Stuart has so far represented his country in 143 Tests and 121 ODIs, taking 514 Test wickets and 178 ODI wickets. He even has a Test century to his name and his highest score (169) is more than that of his father (162) in either format!
Geoff Marsh/Shaun and Mitchell Marsh
Former Australian opening batsman Geoff Marsh won a World Cup for his country in 1987, and scored 9 ODI centuries at a time when the highest was Desmond Haynes’ 17. For 7 years he was Australia’s main opening batsman in Tests and was influential in making it the most powerful side in the world. But his proudest moment as a father came when one son Shaun Marsh scored a century on Test debut and another Mitchell Marsh became a World Cup winner. Both Shaun and Mitchell continue to represent Australia in all formats and are considered a threat when on song.
Abdul Qadir/Usman Qadir
Usman Qadir may be new to the international arena but bagging the Man of the Match and Man of the Series award in his debut series is a feat that would have made his late father very proud. The majestic Qadir who took 236 Tests and 132 ODI wickets for Pakistan passed away last year but left behind the secret of his bowling in the safe hands of Usman Qadir. He has all the arsenals of his father in his weaponry and displayed his brilliance against the visiting Zimbabweans, ending the T20I series with 8 wickets in three matches. It remains to be seen whether he is given proper chances like his father got because if he does, he might go on to make his father proud and carry his legacy forward.
Omair Alavi (omair78@gmail.com) is a freelance broadcast journalist
