Australian cricket team in Pakistan in 1959–60


The Australian national cricket team visited Pakistan in November and December 1959 and played a three-match Test series against the Pakistani national cricket team. Australia won the Test series 2–0. Australia were captained by Richie Benaud and Pakistan by Fazal Mahmood.

Tour match

Test series summary

First Test

Second Test

Third Test

Background

Day four of the Third Test in Karachi was notably attended by U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower, who was visiting Pakistan at the time. Eisenhower, who was accompanied by Pakistan's president Ayub Khan, became the "first American President to watch Test cricket". According to Arunabha Sengupta, the day proved challenging for Pakistan who managed just 104 runs at a loss of 5 wickets, with Hanif Mohammed putting up the lone resistance against Australian bowlers. The U.S. president, who was seen "cheering the rare attacking strokes" and applauding every "decent effort in the field", used the occasion for cricket diplomacy – signing a cricket bat and sporting a Pakistan blazer. When Australian captain Riche Benaud saw Eisenhower wearing the blazer, he jokingly remarked: "Mr President… you have joined the other camp."