Cricket world pays tribute to crafty leg-spinner who took 236 wickets in 67 Tests for Pakistan
'Magician' Qadir passes away, aged 63
Former Pakistan spinner Abdul Qadir, credited for reviving the art of leg-spin bowling in 1970s and 80s, died of a heart attack in his hometown Lahore, his son told AFP on Friday.
"My father never had a heart problem so it was sudden and shocking that he suffered a severe attack and could not survive," Salman Qadir told AFP.
PCB is shocked at the news of 'maestro' Abdul Qadir's passing and has offered its deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NTRT3cX2in%E2%80%94 Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2019
Qadir, who would have turned 64 on September 15, was one of favourites of former captain Imran Khan - now Pakistan's prime minister.
Qadir made his Test debut against England in 1977 and went on to play 67 Tests, taking 236 wickets with a best of 9-65 against England at the same venue in 1987.
Image Id: 5E4631F9E3314926A8CC4A0297D8E1EF Image Caption: Qadir on Pakistan's 1987 tour of England // GettyThose figures are still the best by a Pakistan bowler in a Test innings.
He also took 132 wickets in 104 one-day internationals, with Imran using him as an attacking weapon in the 1983 World Cup held in England.
He played last of his international matches in 1993.
Qadir's unique dancing action was as attractive as it was destructive, spinning the ball prodigiously and had a lethal googly and a flipper.
Image Id: 97D711B297AE43058DFC0BBF86934A0A Image Caption: Qadir bowls at Headingley in 1987 // GettyLegendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne - the second highest Test wicket taker with 708 (only behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan's 800) - was also a big fan of Qadir.
"I am sad to hear about Qadir's death," Khan said in a message. "With his death I have lost a close friend and a team-mate and that's hurtful.
"Qadir brightened Pakistan's name in cricket the world over and we will always remember (him) as a great player."
Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Rashid Latif and Waqar Younis led the condolences, saying Qadir's death was "a great loss of Pakistan cricket".
They called him the magician for many reasons but when he looked me in the eyes & told me I was going to play for Pakistan for the next 20 years, I believed him.A Magician, absolutely. A leg spinner & a trailblazer of his time. You will be missed Abdul Qadir but never forgotten%E2%80%94 Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) September 6, 2019
"They called him the magician… You will be missed Abdul Qadir but never forgotten," tweeted Wasim who played alongside Qadir in the 1980s.
"We have lost a great man who was an institution in himself."
Qadir, who later served as chief selector of Pakistan and ran a private academy in Lahore, was particularly dominating against England's batsmen in the 1987 home series, claiming a national record of 30 wickets in three Tests.
Sad news mate! Loved watching him bowl https://t.co/UoiX2yWFys%E2%80%94 Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) September 6, 2019
At 43, Qadir won the Jack Ryder Medal as the standout Victorian Premier Cricket player during the 1998-99 summer when he took 72 wickets 15.87 for Carlton Cricket Club.
His four sons Rehman Qadir, Imran Qadir, Sulaman Qadir and Usman Qadir have all played first-class cricket (the latter has played for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers) while his daughter Noor is married to Pakistan international Umar Akmal.