Cricket world mourns loss of legendary 'magician' Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir

Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir died of cardiac arrest at 63 in Lahore, his family confirmed to Pakistan media on Friday. Pakistan cricket board in turn confirmed the news by sharing a tweet with the information. He had been taken to the Services Hospital in the city after the heart attack but couldn’t survive. His son Salman Qadir shared the news with the media. [caption id=“attachment_7299671” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Qadir passed away at 63 in Lahore. AFP[/caption] Qadir stood out for his jumpy- bowling action and played 67 Tests for Pakistan and 104 One Day Internationals. He played his first Test against England in Lahore in December 1977 and first ODI six years later against New Zealand in Birmingham. He played his last Test match against West Indies in Lahore in December 1990, while his last ODI was against Sri Lanka in Sharjah in November 1993. Later he served as the chief selector of Pakistan team. During his career, he took 236 Test wickets with a best of 9/56 in a single innings and 13/101 overall with an average of 32.80. He picked 15 fifers and five 10-wicket hauls. In the limited overs format, he took 132 wickets with a best of 5/44 in a career, including two five wicket hauls. Pakistan cricket board (PCB) wrote on Twitter, “PCB is shocked at the news of ‘maestro’ Abdul Qadir’s passing and has offered its deepest condolences to his family and friends.” Many current and former Pakistan legends paid their respects to the former leggie.

All four of his sons, Rehman, Imran, Sulaman and Usman have played first class cricket in Pakistan while his youngest Usman (also a leg-spinner like his father) also appeared in the Big Bash T20 league last season and has shown his intention to qualify to play for Australia after being overlooked time and again by Pakistani selectors. Cricket pundits and writers believe that Qadir’s biggest achievement was to keep the art of wrist spin alive during the eras of 70s and 80s when fast bowlers dominated world cricket. (With PTI inputs)