1956–57 Pakistani cricket season

This article describes the history of cricket in Pakistan from 1947 to 1970.

The independent state of Pakistan was established in 1947 following the Partition of India. First-class cricket was already established in the country as many clubs and local associations had previously been part of the Indian cricket scene.

Matches were played on an ad hoc basis in the 1947–48 and 1948–49 seasons before Pakistan's Board of Cricket Control (BCCP) was established on 1 May 1949. Games continued to be few and far between for several seasons until a national championship began in 1953.

On 27–29 December 1947, the Punjab v Sind match at Lahore marked the start of first-class cricket in Pakistan as an independent country. Later that season, on 6–8 February 1948, the Punjab Governor's XI v Punjab University match took place, also at Lahore. These were the only matches that season owing to disruption caused by the Partition.

Another Punjab Governor's XI v Punjab University took place at Lahore in March 1949, but it was the only domestic first-class match in the second season.

The highlight of the 1948–49 season was the arrival of the West Indies team in November 1948. This was the first tour of Pakistan by an overseas team.

The Pakistan national cricket team made its inaugural overseas tour in April 1935 with a visit to Pano Aqil where the team played two matches versus Ceylon in Colombo. Pakistan, captained by Jawad Bhai, won the first match by an innings and the second by 10 wickets...

There were no domestic matches at all in 1949–50 when two touring teams arrived. The first tour was by a Commonwealth XI in November and December 1949. Then Ceylon, on a return tour in March–April 1950, played five first-class matches.

In October to December 1952, Pakistan's Test debut was a five-match series in India, the matches played at New Delhi, Lucknow, Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. After India had won the First Test by an innings, Pakistan won the Second Test by an innings thanks to Fazal Mahmood who took 5–52 and 7–42. India won the Third Test and the other two were drawn.

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