From Sachin Tendulkar to Imran Tahir: Cricket fraternity pays homage to former Pakistan spinner Abdul Qadir

Image Courtesy: Twitter/@TheRealPCB

The cricket fraternity has come in unison to pay tribute to former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who recently passed away at the age of 63 following a cardiac arrest.

From legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, all took to their social media handles to pay tribute to the late cricketer. 

Posting a picture of Qadir on his official Twitter handle, Tendulkar extended his heartfelt condolences to "one of the best spinners of his times". 

"Remember playing against Abdul Qadir, one of the best spinners of his times. My heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP," the master blaster tweeted. 

Remember playing against Abdul Qadir, one of the best spinners of his times. My heartfelt condolences to his family. RIP. pic.twitter.com/iu03d45sJ0

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 7, 2019

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raza, meanwhile, gave a glimpse of Qadir's art of leg spin in One -Day Internationals (ODI) by sharing a video from a 1986 match against West Indies. 

"Just a glimpse into the art of the genius-Qadir destroying West Indies in 1986 with neutral umpires. You will see me mostly at short leg," he wrote while sharing the video. 

"His hand quicker than the eye, Abdul Qadir rolled over many a giants with a magnificent sleight of hand! Thank you for letting me watch it from short leg. The best legspinner of his era, he pioneered the art of leg spin in one day cricket. Bao ji, you will be forever missed," Raza further tweeted. 

https://t.co/VeTMk9HOuL just a glimpse into the art of the genius-Qadir destroying West Indies in 1986 with neutral umpires. You will see me mostly at short leg. — Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 6, 2019

His hand quicker than the eye, Abdul Qadir rolled over many a giants with a magnificent sleight of hand! Thank you for letting me watch it from short leg. The best legspinner of his era, he pioneered the art of leg spin in one day cricket. Bao ji, you will be forever missed. — Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 6, 2019

Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed shock on the sudden demise of maestro Qadir.  

"Shocked to hear that the maestro Abdul Qadir is no more. Such a personality. Had the opportunity of making friends with him when he was playing in Melbourne in the late 90s. Loved the stories he told. One of the greats," he said. 

Shocked to hear that the maestro Abdul Qadir is no more. Such a personality. Had the opportunity of making friends with him when he was playing in Melbourne in the late 90s. Loved the stories he told. One of the greats. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 6, 2019

Describing Qadir as a "magician", former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also expressed his grief on the former leg spinner's death. 

"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 trailb," Akram wrote on his official Twitter handle. 

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

South African spinner Imran Tahir said that Qadir was not just his mentor but also a father figure for him who had always guided him.

"Extremely saddened to hear the passing of my guru and mentor Abdul Qadir sir.He was someone who was always there for me to guide me not only in cricket but everything in life.He was a father figure for many and will be missed for his kind behaviour.May Allah grant him jannah," Tahir said. 

Extremely saddened to hear the passing of my guru and mentor Abdul Qadir sir.He was someone who was always there for me to guide me not only in cricket but everything in life.He was a father figure for many and will be missed for his kind behaviour.May Allah grant him jannah  — Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) September 6, 2019

Former Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also paid tributes to Qadir and said that the former spinner's bowling statistics do not do justice to his genius.

Qadir's bowling statistics do not do justice to his genius. Had he been playing cricket now with the modern DRS system, where batsmen can be given out on the front foot as well, Qadir would have gotten as many wickets as the great Shane Warne. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 7, 2019

Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed wrote, "Absolutely shocking news to hear the sad passing  Legend Abdul Qadir saab. May Allah SWT grant him the highest rank in jannah and his family the patience to bare the loss." 

Absolutely shocking news to hear the sad passing Legend Abdul Qadir saab. May Allah SWT grant him the highest rank in jannah and his family the patience to bare the loss. #Ameen — Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) September 6, 2019

Qadir is credited for keeping the art of wrist-spin alive in the days when it was losing the charm. He picked up 236 and 132 wickets in 67 Tests and 104 ODIs respectively across a cricketing career that stretched 16 years. 

He made his Test debut for Pakistan against England in December 1977 in Lahore and played in the longest format of the game for 13 years. Ten years later, against the same opposition and at the same venue, he registered his best bowling figures nine for 56.

Qadir, whose decade-long ODI career ran from 1983 till 1993, also served as a chief selector for the national men’s side for six months, after getting appointed to the post in November 2008.