Playing in Karachi on a pitch that took turns from the start, Nazir scored 7 for 99 in his very first innings. Moreover, he scored a handy, unbeaten 29 with the bat, and was also not out on 17 in the second innings. The Test was drawn, but proved significant, as it was the last Test for the great Hanif Mohammad and the first for his younger brother Sadiq.
“On behalf of the PCB, I express my condolences and sorrow over the demise of our former cricketer Mohammad Nazir,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said. “We express our deepest condolences and share the grief of his friends and family. His contributions to Pakistan cricket will always be remembered.”
Despite being a consistent performer at the domestic level, Nazir played only one more Test after his first series until November 1980 when he was chosen to play in a home series against the Antilles. This was another highlight; he dismissed Viv Richards three times in the series, including twice bowling. However, in the second Test, at Faisalabad, Nazir was hit for three consecutive sixes by Sylvester Clarke. The 22 he conceded was a Test record at the time.
Despite taking 16 wickets in the four Tests against the West Indies, Nazir was dropped again and did not return until almost three years later, in a series in India. In the meantime, he continued to take wickets in domestic cricket: 86 in 1981-82 and 70 the following year.
Nazir continued on the domestic circuit thereafter as he had always been before: a prolific wicket-taker. Unusually, he was a one-team man, playing for Pakistan Railways throughout. He also looked in good form, taking 85 wickets in the 1985-86 season when he was about to turn 40. Nazir finished with 829 first-class wickets, at an enviable average of 19.26.
He became an international and national umpire soon after his retirement, appearing in five Tests and 15 ODIs.
