960421

Hafeez Kardar,

former captain

of cricket team,

passes away

LAHORE: Abdul Hafeez Kardar, the first Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team which toured India in 1952 in the first official Test series played by Pakistan against any country and former Ambassador to Switzerland, passed away on Sunday in Lahore. He was 74.

He was a heart patient and had a pace maker. He had gone to London recently for check up. He leaves behind a son and a daughter. During the government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, he resigned as ambassador due to ill health.

Kardar had the unique distinction of representing Pakistan and India cricket teams before 1947 and after indepdence. He was a slow left arm bowler and batted left hand. He played 23 tests for Pakistan as Captain.

He retired from Test cricket on conclusion of Pakistan team's tour to the West Indies in 1958. Later he was appointed as chairman of the selection committee during 1959-60.

During the government of late Prime Minister Z A Bhutto in the early 1970s he was made a Minister of Punjab Government and also appointed President of the Cricket Board, which office he held for a few years. He however had to resign after revolt by the players on their professional fee. Thereafter he did not participate in cricket affairs.

He was appointed as ambassador to Switzerland by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He was married to the sister of former Test cricketer Zulfiqar Ahmed. Kardar was educated in Oxford University and also played for Oxford University and English cricket county Warwickshire.

PM CONDOLES

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto expressed her grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former Pakistan Test captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who died in Lahore on Sunday.

In her condolence message she said Hafeez Kardar would be long remembered for his valuable contribution to Pakistan's cricket team. The late cricketer, she said, served the team to the best of his abilities and also worked for promotion of the game in the country. With his death the country has lost a good sportsman, she said.

The Prime Minister prayed that may Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage and fortitude to the bereaved family.

HANIF, HASEEB

GRIEVED

KARACHI: Little master and another former Pakistan Captain Hanif Mohammad in a condolence message here on Sunday, said: "I owe a great deal to my skipper whom I addressed only as skipper. My cricket carrier was built by him and he helped me and my family a great deal in cricket. My brothers and my family owe a great deal also and we are all shocked on his sad demise" he added.

Haseeb, a former test cricketer and ex-chairman of BCCP selection committee said, Kardar was a great sports lover, a great leader of cricket has gone from this world but not from our heart.

Former skipper of Pakistan cricket team Javed Burki, who is also advisor to PCB Patron on Cricket, expressing deep grief and sorrow over the demise of former Pakistan captain and President of Cricket Board Abdul Hafeez Kardar, said, that he was the man who put Pakistan on international cricket map by winning test each against West Indies, India and England.- PPI/APP