Fazal Mahmood 12 for 99 — Pakistan Win at The Oval, 1954

Pakistan's bowling strength rested almost entirely on Fazal, whose action and use of the seam had been honed on the matting wickets of Lahore. The English late-summer pitches, helping seam, suited him perfectly. Kardar's calm captaincy held the side together through three difficult matches.

After the draws at Lord's and Old Trafford, Pakistan came to The Oval as underdogs. England chose Statham, Tyson, Bedser and Wardle. The pitch had a green tinge and rain had fallen overnight.

Pakistan had toured England under Kardar with limited Test experience, having been admitted to the ICC only two years earlier. The first three Tests had produced a defeat at Trent Bridge by an innings, and draws at Lord's and Old Trafford. By The Oval, the tourists were 1-0 down with one to play.

England made 130 in their first innings. Fazal, the medium-fast cutter from Lahore, swung the new ball and seamed the older one to take 6 for 53 in 30 overs. Pakistan replied with 133 — Maqsood Ahmed top-scoring with 35. Fazal then ran through England a second time for 6 for 46 in 30 overs. England were 143 all out. Pakistan needed 168 and stumbled to 82 for 8 before Wazir Mohammad and Zulfiqar Ahmed added 58 to take them home by 24 runs.

It was Pakistan's first Test victory in England, and the first time any country had won a Test in England on its inaugural tour. Fazal, a police inspector by profession, became the most celebrated cricketer in Pakistan overnight; the press christened him 'the Bedser of Pakistan'.

“I bowled my heart out at The Oval; everything I had ever learned came together that week.”

“Pakistan have proved themselves at the highest level of the game.”

Kardar held the trophy aloft on the Oval balcony. Fazal was lifted by his teammates. The Pakistani community in London celebrated through the night. Fazal finished the series with 20 wickets at 17.50.

Pakistan would not return to England for another five years. Fazal's reputation grew steadily; he played 34 Tests, took 139 wickets at 24.70 and remained Pakistan's leading bowler until Imran Khan emerged in the 1970s.