Ijaz Hussain

Syed Ijaz Hussain, also known as Ijaz Khapra, was born in 1942 in what is now Uttar Pradesh.[1] Prior to India's partition in 1947, his father moved the family to Bahawalpur, where he worked as a road inspector.[1] Following his father's death in the late 1950s, Ijaz, the eldest of seven, assumed additional responsibilities.[1] His cricket skills were noticed at Government Technical High School in Bahawalpur.[1] Despite being initially interested in hockey, a leg injury steered him towards cricket.[1] A serious incident, when he was thrown from a train by classmates, resulted in a head injury that nearly ended his sporting career.[1] After he left school he went to Multan in 1960 to work in a textile mill.[1]

Hussain was a wicketkeeper-batsman who usually opened the innings. He could also bowl medium-pace and wrist-spin.[1] His highest score was 173 in an innings victory for Railways Reds over Lahore Reds in 1965-66.[2]

Hussain toured England with the Pakistan Eaglets in 1963, playing in three of the eight first-class matches.[1] He played two matches for Pakistan against the touring Ceylon team in 1966-67, and all three matches for Pakistan Under-25 against MCC Under-25 later that season. He also played for Pakistan against The Rest (of Pakistan) in 1969-70.[3]

Hussain worked for the National Bank of Pakistan in the 1970s before moving to Sharjah, where he was among a group of Pakistani cricketers who developed the game in the United Arab Emirates. He was employed there in industry and banking.[1] He retired in 2004 and returned to live in Karachi.[1]

• Ijaz Hussain at CricketArchive (subscription required)
• Ijaz Hussain at ESPNcricinfo