October 15 down the years
Birth of Babar
A Pakistan captain is born
Babar Azam: prolific and pretty • Getty Images
1994
Birth of the elegant and efficient Babar Azam, cousin of the brothers Akmal, who came to attention when he made three consecutive ODI hundreds for Pakistan against West Indies in 2016. That performance earned him selection in the Test series that followed, where he made 69 on debut. In 50-overs cricket he has been a key performer for Pakistan, scoring 11 hundreds between 2016 and 2019, and looking well in line to break Saeed Anwar's record of 20 ODI hundreds. In the 2019 World Cup, and made 474 runs in what was a disappointing tournament for Pakistan and also became the second-fastest batter past 3000 ODI runs, reaching the milestone in his 68th innings. He took over Pakistan's captaincy in all formats in 2020, and led them to an ODI series win in South Africa. He was named ICC's men's ODI cricketer for 2021. A year later, he became the second fastest after Hashim Amla to score 4000 runs in men's ODIs.
Birth of the elegant and efficient Babar Azam, cousin of the brothers Akmal, who came to attention when he made three consecutive ODI hundreds for Pakistan against West Indies in 2016. That performance earned him selection in the Test series that followed, where he made 69 on debut. In 50-overs cricket he has been a key performer for Pakistan, scoring 11 hundreds between 2016 and 2019, and looking well in line to break Saeed Anwar's record of 20 ODI hundreds. In the 2019 World Cup, and made 474 runs in what was a disappointing tournament for Pakistan and also became the second-fastest batter past 3000 ODI runs, reaching the milestone in his 68th innings. He took over Pakistan's captaincy in all formats in 2020, and led them to an ODI series win in South Africa. He was named ICC's men's ODI cricketer for 2021. A year later, he became the second fastest after Hashim Amla to score 4000 runs in men's ODIs.
1990
The cricket world received its first introduction to the deadliest old-ball partnership of them all. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram shared ten wickets in a Test for the first time, taking 15 in all as Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by an innings and 43 runs in Karachi - and 11 of the 15 were out lbw or bowled. It started a run in which Wasim and Waqar took ten or more wickets between them in 18 of the 24 Tests that they played in together between 1990 and 1994.
The cricket world received its first introduction to the deadliest old-ball partnership of them all. Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram shared ten wickets in a Test for the first time, taking 15 in all as Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by an innings and 43 runs in Karachi - and 11 of the 15 were out lbw or bowled. It started a run in which Wasim and Waqar took ten or more wickets between them in 18 of the 24 Tests that they played in together between 1990 and 1994.
2023
Afghanistan came into the 2023 World Cup having played just 29 ODIs since the 2019 tournament, but pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in their sporting history, beating defending champions England by 69 runs in Delhi. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz blitzed 80 off 57 balls to get them off to a flyer, and after they lost a clutch of wickets quickly, Ikram Alikhil steadied the middle order with a fifty. If 285 seemed an under-par target, Afghanistan's bowlers quickly disabused England of the notion: Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Jonny Bairstow for 2 in the second over and Mujeeb Ur Rahman cleaned up Joe Root in the seventh. England were soon tottering at 91 for 4 and Harry Brook's fighting half-century was in vain. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb finished with three wickets each, with Mujeeb picking up the Player-of-the-Match award. This was only Afghanistan's second ever win in ODI World Cups, after their defeat of Scotland in 2015.
Afghanistan came into the 2023 World Cup having played just 29 ODIs since the 2019 tournament, but pulled off perhaps the biggest upset in their sporting history, beating defending champions England by 69 runs in Delhi. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz blitzed 80 off 57 balls to get them off to a flyer, and after they lost a clutch of wickets quickly, Ikram Alikhil steadied the middle order with a fifty. If 285 seemed an under-par target, Afghanistan's bowlers quickly disabused England of the notion: Fazalhaq Farooqi removed Jonny Bairstow for 2 in the second over and Mujeeb Ur Rahman cleaned up Joe Root in the seventh. England were soon tottering at 91 for 4 and Harry Brook's fighting half-century was in vain. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb finished with three wickets each, with Mujeeb picking up the Player-of-the-Match award. This was only Afghanistan's second ever win in ODI World Cups, after their defeat of Scotland in 2015.
2000
A historic day for New Zealand in Nairobi. They beat India by four wickets in the final of the ICC KnockOut Trophy, their first ever victory in a one-day international competition. The hero was Chris Cairns, who defied a dodgy knee to hit a brilliant unbeaten 102 as the Kiwis reached their target of 265 with two balls to spare.
A historic day for New Zealand in Nairobi. They beat India by four wickets in the final of the ICC KnockOut Trophy, their first ever victory in a one-day international competition. The hero was Chris Cairns, who defied a dodgy knee to hit a brilliant unbeaten 102 as the Kiwis reached their target of 265 with two balls to spare.
2022
India made short work of a small chase to clinch their seventh Women's Asia Cup title, in Sylhet. Sri Lanka came into the final with five wins in seven games, but never got going after opener Chamari Athapaththu's run-out in the third over triggered a collapse that reduced them to 9 for 4. They limped to 65 for 9 and seamer Renuka Singh finished with 3 for 5. Smriti Mandhana helmed India's chase from start to finish, wrapping it up in under nine overs.
India made short work of a small chase to clinch their seventh Women's Asia Cup title, in Sylhet. Sri Lanka came into the final with five wins in seven games, but never got going after opener Chamari Athapaththu's run-out in the third over triggered a collapse that reduced them to 9 for 4. They limped to 65 for 9 and seamer Renuka Singh finished with 3 for 5. Smriti Mandhana helmed India's chase from start to finish, wrapping it up in under nine overs.
1945
Birth of Steve Camacho, a decent Test opener and a pioneer in West Indies cricket administration. He was the WICB's first full-time employee and was at various stages secretary, chief executive and a Test selector. He played 11 Tests himself, his sober style perfectly complementing the expansive batting style of his opening partners Roy Fredericks and Seymour Nurse. He topped the averages in England in 1969 but never made a Test hundred. Camacho died in 2015, shortly before his 70th birthday.
Birth of Steve Camacho, a decent Test opener and a pioneer in West Indies cricket administration. He was the WICB's first full-time employee and was at various stages secretary, chief executive and a Test selector. He played 11 Tests himself, his sober style perfectly complementing the expansive batting style of his opening partners Roy Fredericks and Seymour Nurse. He topped the averages in England in 1969 but never made a Test hundred. Camacho died in 2015, shortly before his 70th birthday.
1964
A thriller in Bombay, where India grabbed only their second Test victory over Australia by two wickets. It was a result that looked unlikely when they were 122 for 6 in their second innings, with 132 still needed, but India had a few aces up their sleeve at Nos 7, 8 and 9 - the Nawab of Pataudi Jr, Vijay Manjrekar and Chandu Borde, who had 18 Test hundreds between them, saw them to victory. It might have been different had Australia's Norm O'Neill not gone down with a stomach complaint on the first morning. He did not bat in either innings.
A thriller in Bombay, where India grabbed only their second Test victory over Australia by two wickets. It was a result that looked unlikely when they were 122 for 6 in their second innings, with 132 still needed, but India had a few aces up their sleeve at Nos 7, 8 and 9 - the Nawab of Pataudi Jr, Vijay Manjrekar and Chandu Borde, who had 18 Test hundreds between them, saw them to victory. It might have been different had Australia's Norm O'Neill not gone down with a stomach complaint on the first morning. He did not bat in either innings.
2017
South Africa's biggest ODI win came
South Africa's biggest ODI win came
2021
Chennai Super Kings won their fourth IPL title, making a remarkable turnaround from their seventh-place finish in 2020. A fluent Faf du Plessis 86 anchored half-century partnerships with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa to take CSK to a competitive 193. A resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders, playing in their first final since 2014, started aggressively with fifties from openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer but Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood and Ravindra Jadeja combined to strangle the middle order, none of whom got into double digits.
Chennai Super Kings won their fourth IPL title, making a remarkable turnaround from their seventh-place finish in 2020. A fluent Faf du Plessis 86 anchored half-century partnerships with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa to take CSK to a competitive 193. A resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders, playing in their first final since 2014, started aggressively with fifties from openers Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer but Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood and Ravindra Jadeja combined to strangle the middle order, none of whom got into double digits.
1984
The Trinidad fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, born today, had a frustrating beginning for West Indies - when in his first four ODIs in 2003, he took no wickets and batted just once (for one run). His first victim, in January 2004, was a big one, Jacques Kallis. Then a shin injury sidelined Rampaul and he only returned to international cricket in 2007. He made his Test debut two years later, in Australia. By then he had become a regular in the limited-overs squad and had also completed a Level I coaching course. He took his first five-for in ODIs in the 2011 World Cup game against India in Chennai, and seven wickets in West Indies' win over Pakistan in the Providence Test a couple of months later.
The Trinidad fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, born today, had a frustrating beginning for West Indies - when in his first four ODIs in 2003, he took no wickets and batted just once (for one run). His first victim, in January 2004, was a big one, Jacques Kallis. Then a shin injury sidelined Rampaul and he only returned to international cricket in 2007. He made his Test debut two years later, in Australia. By then he had become a regular in the limited-overs squad and had also completed a Level I coaching course. He took his first five-for in ODIs in the 2011 World Cup game against India in Chennai, and seven wickets in West Indies' win over Pakistan in the Providence Test a couple of months later.
1984
Umar Gul, born today, is crucial to Pakistan's bowling attack because he has been successful in all three formats. He was the leading wicket-taker in the first two World Twenty20s and led Pakistan to success in Tests and ODIs in 2009. Gul isn't express but bowls sharp, has exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement, and manages to get plenty of bounce using his considerable height. He took a five-for in his first Test, against India - in Lahore in 2004 - and went on to take wickets in England, New Zealand and even on the dead pitches of Sri Lanka. He took 5 for 6 in a Twenty20 against New Zealand at The Oval - the best figures in the format at the time. Remarkably, he claimed another 5 for 6 against South Africa in Centurion in 2013.
Umar Gul, born today, is crucial to Pakistan's bowling attack because he has been successful in all three formats. He was the leading wicket-taker in the first two World Twenty20s and led Pakistan to success in Tests and ODIs in 2009. Gul isn't express but bowls sharp, has exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement, and manages to get plenty of bounce using his considerable height. He took a five-for in his first Test, against India - in Lahore in 2004 - and went on to take wickets in England, New Zealand and even on the dead pitches of Sri Lanka. He took 5 for 6 in a Twenty20 against New Zealand at The Oval - the best figures in the format at the time. Remarkably, he claimed another 5 for 6 against South Africa in Centurion in 2013.
1999
A tie in the day-nighter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, but only after a remarkable collapse from the Lankans. When Romesh Kaluwitharana and Russel Arnold took them to 157 for 1, they needed only 40 off 15 overs, but that was when Abdul Razzaq started swinging the ball. He had Kaluwitharana caught behind and then returned at the death to take 4 for 0 in 8 balls - the last three were all bowled. Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for 23 runs in nine sorry overs.
A tie in the day-nighter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, but only after a remarkable collapse from the Lankans. When Romesh Kaluwitharana and Russel Arnold took them to 157 for 1, they needed only 40 off 15 overs, but that was when Abdul Razzaq started swinging the ball. He had Kaluwitharana caught behind and then returned at the death to take 4 for 0 in 8 balls - the last three were all bowled. Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for 23 runs in nine sorry overs.
1958
Though not as naturally talented as his younger brother Robin, Chris Smith, born today, made himself into a very fine county batter for Hampshire. But he only played eight Tests. He went first ball to Richard Hadlee on debut at Lord's in 1983 but had a decent winter in 1983-84, hitting 91 in Auckland and 66 in Faisalabad. For some reason he wasn't picked against West Indies in 1984 and played only one more Test. He went on to become chief executive of the WACA.
Though not as naturally talented as his younger brother Robin, Chris Smith, born today, made himself into a very fine county batter for Hampshire. But he only played eight Tests. He went first ball to Richard Hadlee on debut at Lord's in 1983 but had a decent winter in 1983-84, hitting 91 in Auckland and 66 in Faisalabad. For some reason he wasn't picked against West Indies in 1984 and played only one more Test. He went on to become chief executive of the WACA.
1989
One-day debuts for Alec Stewart and Angus Fraser in the opening match of the Nehru Cup in Delhi, but it was Graham Gooch who stole the show - with the ball. In the first match of his second stint as England captain, Gooch took 2 for 26 from ten overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 193, and Robin Smith cracked an unbeaten 81 to see England home by five wickets. Wayne Larkins also set a one-day record by reappearing nine years, 267 days and 110 matches after his last appearance, against West Indies in Sydney in 1979-80.
One-day debuts for Alec Stewart and Angus Fraser in the opening match of the Nehru Cup in Delhi, but it was Graham Gooch who stole the show - with the ball. In the first match of his second stint as England captain, Gooch took 2 for 26 from ten overs to restrict Sri Lanka to 193, and Robin Smith cracked an unbeaten 81 to see England home by five wickets. Wayne Larkins also set a one-day record by reappearing nine years, 267 days and 110 matches after his last appearance, against West Indies in Sydney in 1979-80.
Other birthdays
1866 Jack Barrett (Australia)
1885 Sid Emery (Australia)
1910 Xen Balaskas (South Africa)
1921 Gul Mohammad (India/Pakistan)
1961 Sudath Pasqual (Sri Lanka)
1973 Sean Davies (Zimbabwe)
1975 Faisal Athar (Pakistan)
1981 Mohammad Salim (Bangladesh)
1985 Yasir Ali (Pakistan)
1988 Mohammad Talha (Pakistan)
1866 Jack Barrett (Australia)
1885 Sid Emery (Australia)
1910 Xen Balaskas (South Africa)
1921 Gul Mohammad (India/Pakistan)
1961 Sudath Pasqual (Sri Lanka)
1973 Sean Davies (Zimbabwe)
1975 Faisal Athar (Pakistan)
1981 Mohammad Salim (Bangladesh)
1985 Yasir Ali (Pakistan)
1988 Mohammad Talha (Pakistan)