Legendary Pakistani leg-spinner Abdul Qadir was formally inducted into the PCB Hall of Fame post-humously ahead of the second One-Day International between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
Qadir took 236 Test and 132 ODI wickets with a bouncy run-up flicking the ball from hand to hand. Saqlain Mushtaq — one Pakistan’s most successful spinners with 496 international wickets and also head coach of the men’s national side — inducted Abdul Qadir into the eight-man elite group by presenting the commemorative cap and plaque to his youngest son Usman Qadir, who is part of Pakistan’s white-ball squad for ongoing Pakistan vs Australia series.
Qadir’s best Test performance was also at the Gaddafi Stadium when he took nine for 56 against England in 1987. He played seven ODIs at the headquarters of Pakistan cricket, but he is most remembered for his nine-ball 16 not out against the West Indies in the 1987 World Cup that earned Pakistan a one-wicket victory and a place in the semi-finals ahead of the two-time former world champions.
“I am sure dad watching from up there will be absolutely delighted and pleased with the way his institution has recognised him today in front of his own fans and at his favourite cricket ground. Cricket was everything for him and on behalf of my family, I thank the PCB for acknowledging his services to Pakistan and the global game,” PCB quoted Usman as saying.
He said Qadir was a cricket genius who was al-ways happy to share his knowledge and experience and took a lot of pride in the art he had mastered that ultimately giving a new dimension to cricket.—APP
