First class cricket is known to be an ideal platform for all budding cricketers to display their talent and potential. A factor which makes first class cricket really interesting is that it provides an opportunity for fringe cricketers, coming from the remote areas of a nation to play against and with the top cricketers of a nation. This can be an ideal opportunity for all the aspiring cricketers.
But at times, things can get extremely out of hand for inexperienced cricketers if they play against well established players, who are in great form. Viewers then, could possibly witness some terribly one sided encounters. One such encounter took place in 1964 between the Pakistan Railways and Dera Ismail Khan in Lahore. Dera Ismail Khan is a remote town situated near Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Like any other remote town, the cricket team was bound to be short of quality experience. But they turned out to be so short of experience that when the Pakistan Railways defeated them, it was the biggest win in first class history!
Pakistan Railways skipper Bashir Haider won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Opener Saeed Butt was unfortunate to miss out on a golden opportunity as he was dismissed for just 20. Ijaz Hussain and Javed Babar added 244 for the third wicket in no time. The Pakistan Railways batsmen hammered runs at a great rate as in those days, anything over 3.5 runs per over was considered to be brilliant!
The second wicket fell, and in walked Pervez Akhtar. Akhtar ensured misery for the bowlers of Dera Ismail Khan and raced his way to a triple century! Akhtar remained not out on 337, a knock which had 35 boundaries in it. The runs kept on flowing at a brisk rate and by the end of Day 2, Pakistan Railways had amounted 825-6.
The third day began as the batsmen continued with their fine show. Mohammad Sharif notched up a ton as well. Pakistan Railways finally declared on 910 – 6. The side batted for 172 overs and scored at a rate of 5.29 runs per over, a feat worth applauding.
Readers would be terribly shaken to know that Dera Ismail Khan was dismissed within 93 deliveries only! The Dera Ismail Khan batsmen put on a show of humiliation and were bundled out for 32. Afaq Khan, the left arm seamer of Pakistan Railways took 7 wickets in 7.3 overs!
The follow on was given and this time, the Dera Ismail Khan batsmen could only last for 75 balls! Leg break bowler Ahad Khan took 9 wickets in the second innings as the Dera Ismail Khan endured the biggest defeat in first class history.
In the end, Pakistan Railways won by a staggering margin of an innings and 851 runs! Some feats just cannot be described by words for sure!
Pakistan Railways 1st Innings:
Dera Ismail Khan 1st Innings:
Dera Ismail Khan 2nd Innings:
