Rawalpindi fires opening shot in global celebrations marking 150 years of Test cricket
Rawalpindi fires opening shot in global celebrations marking 150 years of Test cricket
By Nawaz Gohar ; The global countdown celebrating 150 years of Test cricket officially commenced in Pakistan on Wednesday as the iconic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hosted the world’s very first commemorative event in a planned international series honoring the red-ball game’s sesquicentennial milestone.
The landmark ceremony was organized by the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) under the stewardship of Asghar Ali Mubarak, Founding President of the South Asian Sports Journalists Association (SASJA).
The event brought together international cricket royalty, veteran sports historians, leading media figures, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials to celebrate the enduring legacy of the game's ultimate format.
Former Pakistan Test cricketer and international commentator Bazid Khan graced the historical gathering as the chief guest. Khan’s presence held profound symbolic weight, representing one of Test cricket’s most revered dynasties—a family spanning three consecutive generations of Test match excellence starting with his grandfather Jahangir Khan and father Majid Khan.
Addressing an august assembly of veteran scribes and sports administrators, Bazid Khan highlighted the indispensable role played by sports journalism in keeping the heritage of Test cricket vibrant across generations.
"Test cricket and sports media share a symbiotic relationship that has sustained the spirit of the game for a century and a half," Bazid Khan noted during his keynote address.
"In Pakistan, the sports press has not merely reported the game—it has chronicled our national narrative, safeguarded cricket governance, and propelled raw talent onto the global stage. Initiating the world's 150-year Test celebrations right here in Rawalpindi is a testament to Pakistan’s pivotal place in cricket history."
Khan also commended the joint developmental initiatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), noting that institutional support for long-format cricket remains crucial as the game navigates the modern franchise era.
Key leadership figures from RISJA—including President Abubakar Bin Tallat, Chairman Shakeel Ahmed Awan, Secretary Ambreen Ali, and senior analyst Rizwan Ehsan Ali Joji—reaffirmed the fraternity’s resolve to continue championing grassroots and international cricket coverage across South Asia.
The organizers emphasized that as the sport approaches the 150th anniversary of the inaugural 1877 Melbourne Test, Pakistan's sports media corps will remain at the forefront of documenting, archiving, and promoting red-ball cricket.
To mark the historic occasion, special commemorative shields and honors were conferred upon distinguished media professionals, sports administrators, and press veterans for their lifelong contributions to sports journalism and cricket administration in Pakistan.
Among the honored recipients were Pervez Mughal, Shakeel Awan, Dr. Zahid Awan, Rizwan Ehsan Ali, Ahmed Hammad Siddiqui, Ambreen Ali, Rozina Ali, Maria Rajput, Kiran Khan, Zain Farooq Malik, Zahid Farooq Malik, Zeeshan Qayyum, Nasir Abbas Naqvi, Shakir Abbasi, Owais Abbasi, Qaiser Qureshi, Naeem Khokhar, Zain Masood, Muhammad Suleiman, Haseeb Munawar (PCB), Nawaz Gohar, Aqeel Anjum, and Muhammad Wasi Shah.
Following the successful inauguration in Rawalpindi, RISJA and SASJA announced plans to host follow-up symposiums and retrospective exhibitions tracing Pakistan’s storied Test match journey from 1952 to the present.
