Abdul Qadir's family spurns Imran's condolence call
Cricket
Qadir’s family spurn Imran’s condolence call
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Spin wizard the late Abdul Qadir’s son Salman Qadir claimed on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had invited the family to extend condolences over the legendary cricketer’s death, which was refused by the family.
To clear the air, Salman Qadir said he learned about the invitation two days back when he was informed that the deposed premier [Imran] wished to meet the family at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore to offer condolences – three years after the death of Qadir. Salman made it clear to Mr Khan that "whoever wants to offer condolences will be welcomed in Qadir House", adding that it had been over three and a-half years since the death of his father.
Clarifying why his family did not visit Zaman Park, Salman said his mother and the rest of the family members were of the view that it was inappropriate to visit Zaman Park or any other place to offer fateha for his father.
Qadir passed away in 2019 at the age of 63 but his influence on the game in Pakistan and the wider world is still felt strongly today. Often labelled the saviour of leg-spin bowling during the 1970s and 80s, Qadir was renowned for outfoxing some of the greatest batters in the game with his dynamic action and majestic variation. His 236 wickets across a 13-year career place him third on the list of Pakistan’s all-time prolific spinners.
In limited overs cricket, he was a pioneer in wrist-spin techniques that can still be felt today, and he proved to be a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s 1983 and 1987 World Cup campaigns. Following his retirement, he turned to coaching, mentoring fellow countrymen Mushtaq Ahmed, Danish Kaneria and Shahid Afridi, as well as Australia’s Shane Warne and South Africa’s Imran Tahir.
Usman Qadir, son of Abdul Qadir, said: "On behalf of the family, I want to say thank you very much to the ICC for nominating my father for induction into the Hall of Fame. It is a very big honour for the family to hear of this news, we see it as a huge achievement, and one that my father would be very proud of if he were still with us today."
