Abdul Qadir, former Test cricketer and spin legend, passes away at 63

LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricketer and spin legend Abdul Qadir Khan passed away in Lahore on Friday, cricketer Kamran Akmal confirmed.

Akmal, whose brother is married to Qadir's daughter, said the legendary cricketer passed away due to cardiac arrest.

The 63-year-old was born in Lahore in 1955. He was regarded as one of the best leg-spinners of his time, taking 236 wickets in 67 Test matches and 132 wickets in just 104 One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Qadir was particularly dominating against England's batsmen in the 1987 home series, claiming a Pakistan record of 30 wickets in three Tests.

He later served as chief selector for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as well as a match commentator.

His four sons, Rehman, Imran, Sulaman and Usman, all played first-class cricket while his daughter Noor is married to Pakistan international Umar Akmal.

Legendary 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. "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".

"We have lost a great man who was an institution in himself," said Wasim who played alongside Qadir in the 1980s.