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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 confirmed .
“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 said.
Qadir, who would have turned 64 on September 15, was one of favourites of former captain Imran Khan — now Pakistan’s Prime Minister. Whenever Imran wanted wickets he would turn to Qadir and very often delivered. He was Imran Khan’s go to man.
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. Those 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.
Tributes to Qadir poured in from several cricketers . Proving why he was such admired and respected by his friends and rivals :
Imran Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister and former skipper ,tweeted his anguish over Qadir’s demise as he wrote , Abdul Qadir was a genius, one of the greatest leg spinners of all time.
Deeply saddened to hear of Abdul Qadir’s passing. My prayers & condolences go to the family. Abdul Qadir was a genius, one of the greatest leg spinners of all time. And he was also the life of the dressing room entertaining the team with his wit & humour.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 7, 2019
Qadir’s bowling statistics do not do justice to his genius. Had he been playing cricket now with the modern DRS system, where batsmen can be given out on the front foot as well, Qadir would have gotten as many wickets as the great Shane Warne.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 7, 2019
Wasim Akram , Former Pakistan Skipper
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
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) September 6, 2019
Shoaib Akhtar , Former Pakistan Fast Bowler
Legendary leg spinner Abdul Qadir sb passed away. Just got this sad news. The revival of leg spin in cricket is completely credited to him. He inspired a generation of bowlers to take up leg spin.
Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajaoon.#AbdulQadir pic.twitter.com/mhBZy2yVk9— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 6, 2019
Sachin Tendulkar , Indian cricket Legend, Qadir had first hinted of Sachin’s brilliance
Remember playing against Abdul Qadir, one of the best spinners of his times. My heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/iu03d45sJ0
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 7, 2019
Harbhajhan Singh , Former India player
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.. #RIPabdulqadir pic.twitter.com/HmKVoIwCBU
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 6, 2019
