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Pakistan cricket’s elder statesman Wazir Mohammad dies at 95 | The Express Tribune
PARIS:
Wazir Mohammad, the last surviving link to the start of Pakistan’s journey as a Test nation, has died at the age of 95, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Monday.
Over the course of 20 Tests between 1952 and 1959, he only scored 801 runs as a middle-order batsman at an average of just over 27 but he played key roles in three of Pakistan’s earliest benchmark wins.
“My Test record might not be very impressive but it gives me a great sense of pride that I made vital contributions in most of Pakistan’s maiden Test victories,” he said in an interview in 2010.
He was the eldest of five cricketing brothers, four of whom played Test cricket.
The PCB paid tribute to former Test batter Wazir Mohammad by posting on social media, “The PCB is deeply saddened by the passing of former Pakistan Test batter Wazir Mohammad. One of the four Mohammad brothers to represent Pakistan in Test cricket, he featured in 20 matches for his country from 1952 to 1959. The PCB extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Born in Junagadh, India, on December 22, 1929, Wazir was soon joined by Raees, the only brother not to play for Pakistan, Hanif, Mushtaq and Sadiq.
The partition of India in 1947 prompted the family to pack up and move to Karachi.
“The migration to Pakistan was an adventure,” recalled Wazir.
“My father, an uncle and I came before the rest of the family by sea. The small ship was overloaded and very unstable. All the time we feared the vessel might capsize.”
Wazir joined the Pak Mughal Cricket Club in Karachi and when Pakistan was granted Test status in 1952, he was named in the squad for a three-Test tour of India under the captaincy of Abdul Hafeez Kardar.
He played just the one Test, the third in Brabourne, while his brother Hanif Mohammed played all five as opener and wicketkeeper, scoring three fifties and laying the foundation for a career of epic status.
Hanif became known as the ‘Little Master’ with a Test highest of 337 and a first-class best of 499 for Karachi, a world record total only since exceeded by Brian Lara.
“Even during my playing days, I was often introduced as Hanif’s elder brother,” Wazir said.
“But I never felt embarrassed. Rather I was proud of him.”
In fact Wazir played his part in both of those defining innings, sharing century partnerships with his brother on each occasion.
– West Indies century –
The first of Wazir’s three key innings for Pakistan came at The Oval in 1954 when his watchful 42 not out, the highest individual score in a low-scoring game, enabled Pakistan to scratch enough of a total to defend in the fourth innings.
Fazal Mahmood cleaned up with 12 wickets in the match to secure a 24-run win, making Pakistan the first team to win a Test on their maiden tour of England.
During the course of the innings he used a ruse to fool the English field. After Brian Statham hit him on the toe, he exaggerated the injury, limping between balls making it seem worse than it was.
This encouraged wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans to tell Len Hutton, the England captain, to instruct the quick bowlers to keep aiming for yorkers in order to unsettle Wazir.
“The uncovered wicket had been badly affected by rain and even good-length balls were popping up awkwardly,” said Wazir.
“The yorkers were easier to play. I continued pretending my foot was in great pain. It all helped me settle down and score.”
His first innings 67 in Karachi in 1956 played a major role in Pakistan’s first win over Australia.
And in March 1958, he made 189 in the fifth Test in Port of Spain, sharing a partnership of 154 with brother Hanif, to set up Pakistan’s first win in the West Indies.
This was the culmination of his finest series as he also made 106 in the third Test and 97 not out in the fourth.
His penultimate Test in Lahore in March 1959 marked the debut of another of his brothers Mushtaq Mohammed who would go on to play 57 Tests and captain Pakistan.
Youngest brother Sadiq Mohammad only played the first of his 41 Tests in 1969 while nephew Shoaib Mohammad, son of Hanif, took Pakistan’s greatest cricket dynasty into a new generation, playing 45 Tests and 63 one-day internationals in the 1980s and 90s.
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One of the most intriguing stories entering the first round of the NFL Draft was where Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson might land. Well, fans got their answer sooner than they expected.
The Los Angeles Rams surprisingly selected Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The selection isn’t completely out of left field and is arguably the best-case scenario for Simpson. The Rams have Matthew Stafford as their starter for 2026, but Stafford has flirted with the idea of retirement each of the past two offseasons. It’s clear the clock is ticking on his NFL career.
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The Los Angeles Rams pulled a stunner and drafted Alababam QB Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft. (CFP/Getty Images)
Now, Simpson gets to sit behind one of the NFL’s best veteran quarterbacks, learn the position while adapting to life in the NFL, and not face immediate pressure to succeed. Additionally, the Rams are one of the most well-run franchises in the league right now. Sean McVay is an elite head coach who led the team to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2021 season and just had the team within one win of another Super Bowl berth before falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship.
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The most surprising aspect is the Rams looking toward the future, quite frankly. This is a team that has had no problem trading away first-round picks to make its team the best it can be each season. It seemed most likely the team would use the No. 13 pick to improve its team for next season, which could be Stafford’s last. Instead, the team decided to put itself in position for Stafford’s retirement without skipping a beat.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, now 38-years-old, has flirted with retirement after each of the past two seasons. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
There were several surprises in the first 13 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft: the Cardinals taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the Titans selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, the Kansas City Chiefs trading up to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and even the Cowboys trading up one spot to make sure they drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11.
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But the Rams completely abandoning their recent strategy (usually trading away first-round picks and loading up for now) to select Stafford’s heir apparent is easily the biggest early shock of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sports
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner considering factors before debuting new alternate uniforms: report
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The choice for the New York Yankees to wear their new alternate uniform is ultimately up to owner Hal Steinbrenner, who has shown a knack for change in recent years.
And according to The Athletic, Steinbrenner and others in the front office will decide when the time is right based on some factors.
The outlet noted that economic impact, how often they’ll be worn, and how fans feel about the jerseys will all be key considerations in deciding if, and perhaps when, the jerseys will be worn.
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Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees makes a pitching change during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida, on March 17, 2026. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images)
Hours after The Athletic reported that players had gone to higher-ups about the idea, it was revealed that an alternate jersey had in fact been approved prior.
The Yankees’ navy blue batting practice tops, similar to their road spring training uniforms, were the ones that were approved to be worn in games.
The Yankees have taken part in wearing different jerseys in the past, including Players’ Weekend from 2017 through 2019, a nod to the 1912 team while playing in Boston on the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park’s opening, and jerseys commemorating the Black Yankees in 1996. The Yankees also wore replicas of their 1921 road uniforms for the first Field of Dreams game in 2021.
Paul Goldschmidt, Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees wait for the start of a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, on March 24, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
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However, none of those jerseys were ever officially put into the rotation, leaving them with just a home and road uniform from day one.
The Yankees also remain the only team to have no last names on the back of their jerseys, home or away, and they are also one of two teams, including the Athletics, without a City Connect jersey.
The Yankees added an advertisement patch on their jerseys in 2023, and beginning last year, “well-groomed” facial hair below the lip was reintroduced after a 50-year ban by Steinbrenner’s father, George.
Yankees players reportedly said they want the home pinstripes untouched and would wear the alternates on the road.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees bats against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, on March 23, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The Yankees sell navy blue “shirseys” that mimic the tone of their spring training uniforms, but the pinstripes have been even more prevalent in home spring games in Florida.
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Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and projected No. 1 overall pick, is poised to begin his NFL career under the mentorship of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national championship during an undefeated 16–0 season, revealed this week that he spoke with Tom Brady during his official visit with the Las Vegas Raiders, who own the top pick in this year’s draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates after defeating the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Appearing on the “Dan Patrick Show” Wednesday, Mendoza revealed the advice Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, shared with him during their meeting.
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“It was fantastic. He gave me the message that he’s going to push me, and he’s not going to be all lovey-dovey. And that if the Raiders draft me, he’s going to be a mentor and wants to pour into whatever quarterback the Raiders have — whether it’s me, whether they draft somebody else.”
Mendoza added that the offseason addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins presents another learning opportunity for the young signal-caller.
Tom Brady attends the Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium Feb. 8, 2026. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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“Well, if I’m lucky enough to go to the Raiders, I think it’ll be a great opportunity to learn from someone who’s had so much success throughout the years and who, I think, has a very similar playing style as me.”
Mendoza will likely not take starting reps in Las Vegas. Brady and general manager John Spytek have said numerous times they believe in not playing a young quarterback right away.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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The Miami native will not be in Pittsburgh to walk across the stage and be welcomed into the NFL by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday night. He will instead be home with his family, citing his mother’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Fox News Digital’s Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.
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