Legendary Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Lahore last week. The former Pak cricketer was 63. He was rushed to the Services Hospital in Lahore but all the efforts to save him went in vain, according to Pakistan media. Qadir is survived by his wife, 4 sons and a daughter who is married to Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal.
Qadir had represented Pakistan in 67 Tests and 104 ODIs betwwen 1977 and 1993. The leg-spinner, known for his unusual action, picked up 236 wickets in the longest format of the game and finished his ODI career with 132 scalps. Qadir, who made his Test debut in 1977, has the best figures for a Pakistan spinner - 9/56. The leg-spinner, who bamboozled batsmen demolished a Vivian Richards-led West Indies batting unit in Fasilabad in 1986.
Qadir was Imran Khan's go-to-spinner and even the 9-wicket haul came under the former cricketer-turned Pakistan Prime Minister's captaincy. Qadir inspired a generation of leg-spin bowlers, including Mushtaq Ahmed and the legendary Shane Warne. Qadir also served as Pakistan's chief selector and he picked the World T20-winning squad in 2009. Nonetheless, Qadir had quit midway through the tournament in England over controversy surrounding non-selection of Shoaib Akhtar.
Shane Warne, R Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh condoled the death of Qadir. "Extremely saddened by the demise of Abdul Qadir the spin bowling stalwart from Pakistan. My heart goes out to his family and friend," Ashwin wrote. "Shocked to hear Abdul Qadir passed away. met him two years back he was full of energy as always..A champion bowler,Great human being, you will be missed forever..condolences to the family," Harbhajan Singh said.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to social media and said: "PCB is shocked at the news of 'maestro' Abdul Qadir's passing and has offered its deepest condolences to his family and friends."
