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Tauseef Ahmed: an average better than Abdul Qadir's and a hairstyle like Lionel Richie's - what more could a man ask for? © Getty Images
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1958
An unsung hero is born. Pakistan's Tauseef Ahmed tended to be overshadowed by his more illustrious colleagues, Abdul Qadir and Iqbal Qasim, but he was a skilled and cunning offspinner, even if his afro and moustache did make him look like Lionel Richie. He took seven wickets on his debut, after being plucked from nowhere to play against Australia in 1979-80. And it was his destiny to play a huge role in Pakistan's famous 16-run victory over India in Bangalore in 1986-87, when he and Iqbal took nine wickets each, and Sunil Gavaskar wound up his Test career with a masterful 96. Two years later, against Australia in Karachi, Tauseef had match figures of 47.4-28-44-3, par for the course for this thrifty performer, whose average was superior to the great Qadir's.
1944
An unforgettable debut for Pakistan wicketkeeper Abdul Kadir, who was born today. Pitched in to open against Australia in Karachi in 1964-65, Kadir was run out for 95, after adding 249 for the first wicket with his fellow debutant Khalid Ibadulla. A long career looked assured, but instead Kadir only got three more Tests. The last two were as a specialist batsman, and in his final innings, against New Zealand in Auckland later that winter, he ground out a five-hour 58. In most countries, players aren't considered for Test cricket until they've reached manhood; Kadir's top-level career was over before he turned 21.
1956
Birth of Chris Kuggeleijn, the New Zealand offspinner who is best remembered for one piece of fielding. His first significant act as a Test player, against India in Bangalore in 1988-89, was to take a slip catch to get rid of Arun Lal and make Richard Hadlee the highest wicket-taker in Tests. Kuggeleijn, whose middle name is Mary, was 32 when he made his debut, but bowling in India is a pretty thankless task for a spinner: he was given only 16.1 overs in his two Tests, and took just the one wicket.
Other birthdays
1867 James Kelly (Australia)
1897 Dalton Conyngham (South Africa)
1963 Haafiz Shahid (Pakistan)
1969 Marcel Schewe (Holland)
1972 Stuart Carlisle (Zimbabwe)
1973 Vijay Dahiya (India)
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