Durrani to be felicitated on July 2 in Thane

Former all-rounder Salim Durrani, considered the architect of India's maiden Test series triumph over England in 1961-62, will be felicitated at a function here on July 2, organisers said on Thursday.

Durrani will be felicitated by ICC president and NCP chief Sharad Pawar in presence of cricketers like Chandu Borde, Bapu Nadkarni etc, who played alongside him, said Jitendra Avhad, president of the Mandovi Muslim Cricket Club, which is organising the function.

The 76-year-old player, who played for India in the 1960s and 70s, was awarded the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Cricket Board (BCCI) during its annual awards ceremony in Mumbai last month.

Born in 1934 in Kabul, Afghanistan, Durrani was an aggressive left-handed batsman, and an outstanding left-arm spinner.

He was part of India's first Test series triumph over England in 1961-62. India won the last two Tests of the five-match rubber after the first three were drawn.

Durrani had match figures of 8-113 in the fourth Test at Kolkata, and 10-177 in the fifth at Chennai.

A few months later, Durrani was one of the heroes for India during a dismal tour of the Caribbean, with his belligerent 104 in a Test at Port of Spain. It was at the same venue that he helped shape India's first Test win in the West Indies in 1970-71.

Brought on to bowl at a crucial stage during the second Test, Durrani dismissed Garfield Sobers and Clive Lloyd, two of West Indies' most formidable batsmen, in quick succession. India won the Test match by seven wickets, and maintained their 1-0 lead to take the series.

Two seasons later, Durrani's consistency with the bat, especially in crunch situations, enabled India to achieve another Test series win over England at home.

His proficiency with bat and ball took Central Zone to their first-ever Duleep Trophy win in 1971-72.

One of the most popular cricketers of his time, who was known to hit a 'six on demand,' Durrani represented India in a total of 29 Tests, scoring 1,202 runs at an average of 25. He took 75 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls.