Reliving ODI’s first-ever hat-trick by Jalaluddin

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Not sure how many of the modern generation of the game’s followers know about it but the fact remains that limited overs international cricket was introduced accidentally on January 5, 1971. The first-ever One-day International 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 was finally recorded on September 20, 1982 at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad (Sindh). The 23-year-old Jalaluddin, the tall 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 a most sensational over. 

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 the 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 tailenders, 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 made in his initial appearances at the international level, he was supposed to play many more matches for the country than actually he did. He was sidelined unjustly and treated harshly by the selectors as well as the 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 from delivering the goods 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. 

Despite his unmatchable track record, 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 remedy to turn the 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 near future. 

For the moment, Jalaluddin has relocated in USA, where cricket remains his passion too as he could be 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.

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Deano-the dasher leaves cricket world gloomy

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The entire cricket world has become gloomy all of a sudden because of the shocking death of Dean Jones, the former Australian top-order batsman, while performing duties as commentator in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. 

Jones was as jolly and outgoing as ever when describing action only the previous night, with no hints of any discomfort or illness, but he collapsed in the lobby of the five-star hotel where he was staying on the morning of September 24. 

Brett Lee, also a former Australian star, was reported to be very close to him as he watched in utter disbelief his fellow commentator suffer a cardiac arrest. He showed the presence of mind and tried his level best to revive Jones but his efforts could not yield the desired results. 

The gloom spread all over the world because, Jones, popularly known as Deano, was a lovable character, adored from North to South and East to West. There are not many cricketers around who have enjoyed this kind of admiration globally. 

As far as my knowledge is concerned, he was the first top-order batsman of Australia to have adopted aggressive approach in batting from the moment he arrived at the crease. 

Australia has been the home to many world-class batsmen, before and after him, but in my estimation Deano was a trend-setter of sorts. 

He showed attacking instincts and loved to dominate the bowlers with unorthodox shots, which were not very common those days. 

The likes of Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden emerged in the following years to make Australia the number one team as they ruled the world for a long time. The foundation for attacking batsmanship in Australia was laid by none other than Deano, I think. 

If my memory serves me right, it was Deano who introduced colorful glasses in the cricket field. The cricketers from all over the world then emulated him. He was a character in the truest sense of the word.  

Upon hanging his boots, when he had still seemed good for many more years, he made his presence felt in the team of commentators with his distinct voice and witty remarks. 

Then we also saw him excel in the role of a coach. He helped Islamabad United win the title of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He was the head coach of Karachi Kings in the PSL 2020. 

It’s hard to believe that such a proactive and energetic man has left this mortal world abruptly. The cricket world may never be the same without him and he will be missed.

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