Wallis Mathias
Wallis Mathias (1935-1994) was the first Goan to play Test Cricket and was the first non-Muslim cricketer to play for Pakistan. Born, raised, and educated in Karachi, he played 21 matches for Pakistan, and 146 first-class matches in which he scored 7,520 runs with an average of 44.49 runs, including 16 centuries and 41 half-centuries. He held 130 catches, 22 spectacular ones in Tests. His highest Test score was 77 runs and 278 not out in domestic cricket. He was the first Captain of the National Bank of Pakistan, and a National Test Selector. A gentle giant, he was cricket’s much respected man in all echelons of cricket’s hierarchy and fraternity in Pakistan.
This 3-part article is based on his three most recognised qualities as a player of unblemished character and performance: (1) The Gentleman Cricketer, (2) The Man of Crisis, and (3) A Slip-Fielder with the Safest Pair of Hands.
THE GENTLEMAN CRICKETER
He was known as cricket’s most revered ‘gentleman cricketer’ for his noble demeanour both on and off the field, his ineffable character, and a smiling face under any circumstances. He was a friendly person and a great human being, qualities of mind and heart, he inherited from his hard-working parents, his cricket mentoring in school and the community at large.
In the annals of cricket history, the sport has witnessed the rise of numerous legends who have etched their names in the hearts of fans worldwide. Every cricketer who has played with Wallis Mathias in the domestic season or in Test matches has said that if there was a gentleman cricketer who personified the game of cricket, both on and off the field, it was Wallis. There has never been another cricketer of his character since then.
Wallis possessed an overwhelming charm that endeared him to fans and fellow players alike. What truly set him apart, however, was his friendly disposition. His warm approachable nature was not just a reflection of his amicability but a passion for the game he loved dearly and as a symbol of his resilient spirit.
The foundation of Wallis's remarkable character was laid by his rearing at home, his mentors at school and in community, who instilled in him the values of humility, respect, and kindness. His upbringing in Karachi, a diverse and vibrant city, further enriched his character, fostering an inclusive and welcoming attitude. Thus, his nurturing played a pivotal role in shaping him into the gentleman cricketer he would become.
The legendary Hanif Mohammad (1934-2016), former captain of Pakistan, in his foreword in the ‘The Life and Times of a Gentleman Cricketer’ a memorial on Wallis Mathias by Dr Khadim Hussain Baloch, writes, “What comes to my mind was his character. The standard of school cricket was comparable to that at the national level; Wallis played for St. Pat’s, and I played for Sindh Madressah. It was during this period that our friendship grew, and I came to know and admire this wonderful person who always played the game in its true spirit.”
Those who had the privilege of sharing the field with Wallis Mathias during domestic seasons and Test matches unanimously attest to his transformative presence. He was not just a player but a motivator, a source of inspiration and a beacon of sportsmanship. In a sport often marred by fierce competition and rivalries, Wallis stood out as a shining example of how grace, character and camaraderie could thrive even in the heat of battle.
Wallis Mathias's legacy is not just about runs scored, wickets taken, or catches held; it is about the enduring power of sportsmanship and the influence of a good-hearted individual. He showed the world that being a gentleman on and off the field is not a relic of the past but a timeless virtue that continues to inspire generations of cricketers.
When Wallis passed away in 1994, Dr Baloch wrote, “He was one of those rare human beings who had the capacity to transcend caste, colour and creed and his absence will be felt not only within the game but by all those who look upon honesty and justice as essential elements of life.”
Furthermore, the words of former Pakistan player and administrator Col. Shujauddin Butt aptly recaps the great sportsman, “Wallis has passed away, it is a very sad day for cricket, he was such a lovely man. A prince amongst players, I never saw him utter a word in anger and yet he was so upright and honest. Wallis may have been the only gentleman of Pakistan cricket.”
(Next week: Wallis Mathias – The Man of Crisis)
(The writer is a Toronto-based communications consultant, Karachi Goan community/city historian and author)
