Anil Dalpat

Anil Dalpat Sonavaria is a Pakistani former cricketer and coach. He was a lower-order batsman and wicketkeeper, and represented Pakistan for a brief interval in the early 1980s, when Wasim Bari was injured. He was the first Hindu ever to play Test cricket for Pakistan.

Early life and family

Anil Dalpat was born in Karachi, Pakistan on 20 September 1963 to Dalpat Sonavaria, who was a club cricketer and head of the Pak Hindus Club. He is a first cousin of Danish Kaneria. He lives in the metropolis of Karachi, and is of Rajasthani heritage originally belongs to Jodhpur. The first Hindu to play Test cricket for Pakistan, Anil Dalpat was one of several wicketkeepers given a chance after the retirement of Wasim Bari.

Career

On his debut, against England at Karachi in 1983–84, Dalpat kept well to the spin of Abdul Qadir as Pakistan won by three wickets. In his nine Tests, he made 25 dismissals and a highest score of 52 against New Zealand at Karachi in 1984–85.
After his retirement, Dalpat became a coach in Canada and later became a businessman.