Mohammad Jahangir Khan, born in Jullundur in 1910, was a prominent figure in the world of cricket. Although he only played four Test matches for India in the 1930s, he made a lasting impact on the sport as both a player and administrator in Pakistan after Partition. His contribution to cricket was carried on by his son, Majid, and nephews, Javed Burki and Imran Khan, all three of whom captained the Pakistan cricket team.
Jahangir Khan made a remarkable entry into first-class cricket in March 1929. In his debut match, he scored an impressive 108 runs and took two wickets in the first innings, followed by seven wickets in the second innings. His exceptional performance led the Muslims to win by an innings and 88 runs against the Hindus. In the following game, he continued to display his talent by taking all 10 wickets in an innings against the Europeans, helping the Muslims secure another victory by an innings and 74 runs. His prowess as a medium-fast bowler and right-hand batsman didn’t go unnoticed.
His Test debut came in 1932 at Lord’s during India’s inaugural Test match. In the second innings, he showcased his bowling skills by dismissing notable batsmen such as Holmes, Woolley, Hammond, and Paynter while conceding just 60 runs. Although Jahangir didn’t have a significant impact on India’s Test fortunes, he proved to be a valuable player in first-class matches during the tour. He scored 448 runs at an average of 19.47 and took 53 wickets at 29.05.
Jahangir Khan’s talent and dedication to cricket made him an asset to Cambridge University during his time there. He represented Cambridge against Oxford from 1933 to 1936, playing a crucial role in their consecutive victories. His bowling accuracy and stamina allowed him to immobilize opposing batsmen for prolonged periods. In 1933 and 1934, he was invited to represent the Gentlemen against the Players at Folkestone and also appeared for MCC.
Outside of cricket, Jahangir Khan pursued his education in medicine and became a doctor. He continued playing first-class cricket until 1955-56, captaining Northern India in 1940-41 and 1941-42. In a match against NWFP at Lahore, he demonstrated his batting skills by scoring an unbeaten 125 runs.
One incident that Jahangir Khan is famously associated with is the sparrow incident in 1936. During a match for Cambridge against MCC at Lord’s, a sparrow was found dead next to the stumps after he bowled to T. N. Pearce. The sparrow was stuffed and placed in the Memorial Gallery at Lord’s, although it is uncertain whether it was actually struck by the ball in flight.
Jahangir Khan’s contribution to cricket extended beyond his playing career. After Partition, he became an administrator and selector, playing a vital role in the development of cricket in Pakistan. His legacy lives on through his son, Majid, and nephews, Javed Burki and Imran Khan, who followed in his footsteps by captaining the Pakistan cricket team. Over his cricketing career, Jahangir played 111 first-class matches, scoring 3,319 runs with an average of 22.12 and taking 326 wickets at 25.06. His highest score was 133 runs for Cambridge against Nottinghamshire in 1936, and his best bowling figures were eight for 33 for the Muslims against the Europeans in 1929-30.
