ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) paid tribute to former cricketer Abdul Qadir by inducting him into the PCB Hall of Fame posthumously on Thursday.
Qadir, considered one of the greatest leg spinners of his era, passed away in September 2019 from cardiac arrest. He took 236 Test and 132 ODI wickets and was famous for his bouncy run-up flicking the ball from hand to hand.
Former Pakistan spinner and head coach Saqlain Mushtaq inducted Qadir into the PCB Hall of Fame before the second ODI between Pakistan and Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today, Thursday. He handed a commemorative plaque and cap to Usman Qadir, the legendary spinner’s son.
“I am sure dad watching from up there will be absolutely delighted and pleased with the way his institution has recognized him today in front of his own fans and at his favorite cricket ground,” Usman said, adding that cricket was “everything for him.”
His son credited Qadir for being a “cricket genius” who made wrist spin a lethal weapon that was entertaining to watch in all formats of the game.
“He was always happy to share his knowledge and experience. He took a lot of pride in the art that he had mastered,” said his son, speaking about the late spinner’s knack for leg spin.
Mushtaq, a former spinner himself, said it was an honor for him to induct Qadir into the hall of fame, adding that the late Qadir was “a hero and a star for all generations for his outstanding and marvelous contributions to this great game.”
Born on 15 September 1955 in Lahore, Qadir made his Test debut against England in 1977 and in only his second match in Hyderabad, took six for 44 with the Wisden Cricketers Almanack describing him as “the most notable discovery of his type for some time.”