Mohammad Nissar (1910–1963) was an Indian cricketer regarded as one of the earliest fast bowlers of international stature from the Indian subcontinent. He was a member of the first Indian team to play Test cricket, taking part in India's inaugural Test match against England at Lord's in June 1932.
| Full name | Mohammad Nissar |
|---|---|
| Born | 1910 |
| Died | 1963 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Format | Test cricket, first-class cricket |
| Test debut | 25 June 1932, v England, Lord's |
Nissar emerged in domestic Indian cricket during the late 1920s and early 1930s, a period when the game in India was organised largely through princely patronage and regional associations. He earned a reputation for genuine pace at a time when Indian bowling was dominated by spin and medium pace.
Nissar was selected for the historic 1932 tour of England led by the Maharaja of Porbandar, with C. K. Nayudu eventually captaining the side in the Test match at Lord's. In that match, India's first Test, Nissar opened the bowling and made an immediate impact by dismissing England's openers in the early overs, an effort that became one of the defining performances of the inaugural Indian Test side.
He continued to represent India through the 1930s, forming a new-ball partnership with Amar Singh that is often cited as the first formidable fast-bowling pair produced by India. The duo featured in India's home Test series against England in 1933–34 and the return tour of England in 1936.
Nissar was tall and strongly built, relying on pace, bounce and an ability to move the ball off the seam. Together with Amar Singh, he provided India with a credible new-ball attack at a time when most touring sides expected to face only spin. He is frequently mentioned in cricket histories as a pioneer of Indian fast bowling, predating later figures such as Kapil Dev by several decades.
Following the partition of India in 1947, Nissar settled in Pakistan. He died in 1963.