Khalid Ibadulla, known to cricket followers as Billy, lived a life deeply involved in the game. Born in Lahore in 1935, he moved through several domestic setups during his playing days, including spells with Warwickshire in England, Otago in New Zealand, and Tasmania. He eventually settled in Dunedin, where he was a well-known figure as a coach, commentator, and umpire.
His playing career included four Test matches for Pakistan between 1964 and 1967. He scored 253 runs across those Tests at an average of 31.62, highlighted by a century on debut. While he was primarily an opening batsman and right-arm bowler, he also turned his hand to officiating later in his career.
Ibadulla stepped into the role of a first-class umpire in England for two seasons, officiating in 1982 and 1983. This period was just one part of his long association with cricket, which saw him honored as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004 for his services to the sport.
Beyond the boundary, he was a teacher, a commentator for TVNZ and the BBC, and a political candidate. He was also the father of Kassem Ibadulla. After a life spanning from British India to New Zealand, he passed away in Dunedin on 12 July 2024 at the age of 88.