Former leg-spin maestro Abdul Qadir Khan passed away on 6th September 2019. He suffered a cardiac arrest which was shocking to the world as his son Salman Qadir confessed, he had no heart problems.
Legendary player Abdul Qadir Khan
Abdul Qadir was known as the dancing bowler due to his mystic style of bowling, he kept wrist spin alive in the late 70s and 80s. Qadir’s special bowling action was amusing as well as destructive, the spinning of the ball in an unnatural way had a lethal effect, he mostly bowled googly and a flipper.
Throughout his career, he played about 67 test matches and 104 ODIs and took 236 and 132 wickets respectively. Abdul Qadir’s first match was against England in Lahore on Dec 14, 1977. His best figures were also against England in a test match scoring 9-65 in 1987. This record still hasn’t been broken by any Pakistani bowler yet in a Test inning.
Due to his unique style, the then skipper Imran Khan used him as an attacking bowler in the 1983 World Cup which was held in England. Never in his bowling career has he gotten an LBW out, majorly he relied on stumping and bowled.
He played his last match of the international career which was an ODI against Sri Lanka in Sharjah on Nov 2, 1993.
He also served as the chief selector of the Pakistan team and helped in training the younger talents to improve their styles.
Deepest condolences on the Death of Abdul Qadir Khan
Prime Minister Imran Khan also his former skipper and Chief of Army Staff expressed their “heartfelt grief” on the death of legendary cricketer.
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
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 6, 2019
His former teammates also expressed their deepest empathy.
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
Loss of Abdul Qadir has not just taken Pakistan by a surprise but internationally too his fans are devastated.
Saddened to hear about the sudden demise of Abdul Qadir, a great exponent of legspin who revived the art. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 7, 2019
