Manzoor Elahi The Power Hitter from Sahiwal
Manzoor Elahi, the son of Aalam Elahi and Mehboob Elahi, was born on March 5, 1938 in Sahiwal, Pakistan. Just like Elahi, He grew up in a humble setting. Apart from playing cricket in the urban streets, He also used to play cricket at the rural farms near my residence. He fell in love with the game when still young and commitment became his main ingredient toward excellence as a batsman and part-time spinner.
Elahi played his first match of the First Class cricket in 1958 at the age 20 where he was selected in the team of Bahawalpur. He started his innings with a significant match as he scored a fifty in the same day. These impressions attracted the selectors and he got a nod from the Pakistan national team.
Over a span of around twenty five years, Elahi enjoyed a success in the national circuit and has represented different domestic teams for Bahawalpur, Punjab and National Bank. The former Chiefs player made 8,764 runs at a mean of 37.73 first-class wickets. He was a good top-order batsman with his grit, determination, and concentration at their conscious levels. Apart from that, Elahi not only grabbed a total of 46 wickets with his leg-spin, but also averaged at 18.75, which was regarded as one of the best averages at that time.
At international level, Elahi became the part of the team which played 5 test cricket and 1 ODI cricket match for Pakistan between 1959 to 1964. In short, Elahi represented Pakistan in 5 test and 1 ODI matches from 1959 to 1964. After only three years with the national team, he still managed to produce a number of fine performances. His knock of 96 against Australia at Karachi remains his highest Test score to this day.
At international level, Elahi became the part of the team which played 5 test cricket and 1 ODI cricket match for Pakistan between 1959 to 1964. In short, Elahi represented Pakistan in 5 test and 1 ODI matches from 1959 to 1964. After only three years with the national team, he still managed to produce a number of fine performances. His knock of 96 against Australia at Karachi remains his highest Test score to this day.
Finally, out of retirement Elahi chose coaching as one of the methods to work for Pakistan cricket. The first coaching job came at his alma mater, MCYC, followed by training the Pakistan national team in 1969-1970 and then leading domestic teams. He had also been the national selector along with his roles from 1998 to 2000.
For his services for an upholstery of Pakistan cricket in a lifetime, Manzoor Elahi was given the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 1992. To prove this day, Elahi remains an iconic cricketer among the cricketers who hail out of Sahiwal. The main thing is that he made it possible for other small town cricketers to be recognized at their peak.
