Anil Dalpat

Who is Anil Dalpat?

Anil Dalpat or Anil Dalpat Sonavaria was the first Hindu ever to play Test cricket for Pakistan. Dalpat was a lower-order batsman and wicket keeper, and represented Pakistan for a brief interval in the early 1980s, when Wasim Bari was injured. Dalpat has had a wider first-class cricket experience and career, and is the cousin of Danish Kaneria, Pakistan's first-choice spin bowler and only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan. He lives in the metropolis of Karachi, and is of Marwari heritage.The first Hindu to play Test cricket for Pakistan, Anil Dalpat was one of several wicketkeepers given a chance after the retirement of Wasim Bari. On his debut, against England at Karachi in 1983-84, Dalpat kept well to the spin of Abdul Qadir as Pakistan won by three wickets. In his nine Tests, he made 25 dismissals and a highest score of 52 against New Zealand at Karachi in 1984-85. Dalpat is the first cousin of Danish Kaneria, who made his Test debut for Pakistan in the 2000-01 series against England. In 1983-84 Dalpat dismissed 67 batsmen, a Pakistan domestic record.