Mushtaq Ali

Who was Mushtaq Ali?

Syed Mushtaq Ali was a former Indian cricketer, and an aggressive Test batsman. Ali holds the distinction of scoring the first Test century by any Indian overseas, when he hit a ton for the team in 1936 at Manchester in England.

A Wisden Special Award winner, he scored four first class hundreds in the 1936 tour. He was an opening or middle order right-hand batsman and a slow left-arm bowler.

Ali played extensively for regional team and private clubs when cricket was a young sport in India. He was not only a sporting legend, but a popular superstar of his time, and an icon for the younger generation of Indian youth. Combining with another legend, the cautious yet skilled Vijay Merchant, Ali's aggression and powerful strokeplay formed a dynamic and legendary opening partnership for the team for years.

He played for Holkar in the National Championship for the Ranji Trophy along with other stalwarts like C K Nayudu. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1964 and made a life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club for his contribution to the game. He died in his sleep, at the age of 90. He is survived by two sons and two daughters. The Indian domestic T20 series is named after him.