Legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir dies of cardiac arrest at the age of 63

Regarded as one of the best spinners ever, Pakistan’s legendary Abdul Qadir passed away on Friday at the age of 63. He suffered a cardiac arrest in Lahore just nine days before his next birthday. He was one of the most important members of the most successful Pakistani team of the ’80s. Qadir is attributed to have revived the art of leg-spin bowling.

It was a dying skill during the ’70s and not many bowlers took up leg-spin during that period of time. If not for his contributions, many of us today would have been unaware of what leg-spin bowling is. He mastered this art and inspired an entire generation with his heroics. Qadir was someone who could bowl six different deliveries on six balls of an over that often left the batsmen flummoxed.

Abdul Qadir mentored the likes of Shane Warne and Mushtaq Ahmed

Flipper and the top-spinner were Abdul Qadir’s most lethal weapons. Batsmen often found it extremely tough to pick his variations and were left puzzled. Furthermore, he mentored the likes of Shane Warne and Mushtaq Ahmed amongst many other cricketers. The Lahore-born made his Test debut back in 1977 against England at the Gadaffi Stadium.

Ever since then, he only went from strength to strength. Abdul Qadir represented Pakistan in a total of 67 Test matches. He accounted for 236 wickets at an average of 32.81. Moreover, he registered 15 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls in the longest format of the game. Six years after he made his Test debut, Abdul Qadir also went on to represent Pakistan in the ODI format.

In 104 ODI games, he picked up 132 wickets at an average of 26.17. He played his last Test and ODI game in 1990 and 1993 respectively. Even after his retirement, he actively continued to serve the game. He served the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is various capacities over the years and was also the chief selector at one point in time.

“PCB is shocked at the news of ‘maestro‘ Abdul Qadir’s passing and has offered its deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the PCB tweeted. The entire cricketing fraternity is stunned by his sudden demise and they expressed their condolences.