Biography Of Abdul Qadir- The Spin Wizard Of Pakistan
Widely regarded as one of the best leg-spinners of all time, Abdul Qadir rekindled the dying art of leg-spin bowling in an era dominated by pace attack. With a distinct run-up and bowling style, Abdul Qadir was an integral part of Pakistan team of 80's. He was a match winner and an attacking bowler with an enormous variety of deliveries up his armour - googly, flipper, leg-breaks, topspin and so on. Qadir represented country in 67 test and 102 ODI matches.
Born in Lahore on 15th September 1955, Qadir played first-class cricket for Lahore, Punjab and Habib Bank Limited cricket teams during 1975–95. Qadir made his Test debut in a home series against England in December 1977 at Gaddafi Stadium. His debut was very average and he was able to pick just one wicket and made 11 runs in the only innings he played. However, the second test of the series played at the Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad showcased the true skills of this dynamic spinner where he took his first five-wicket haul 6/ 44 and remained the highest wicket taker in the series with 12 wickets in his kitty.
Qadir's first significant performance came in the 1982–83 series against Australia which Pakistan won by 3-0. Qadir played an instrumental role in the team victory by picking 22 wickets in the series at an average of 25.54. His performance earned him his first player of the series award. Qadir continued his success in the next home series against England where he took 19 wickets and again helped the team series win. However, it was the home series against England in 1987/88 that saw Qadir at his most fiendish. Qadir took 30 wickets in 3 test match series. This includes his career best of 9/56 at the Gaddafi Stadium. Qadir himself said that the first 15 overs he bowled during this innings constituted his best bowling in tests. Qadir once again awarded the man of the series award for his remarkable performance.
He was equally effective in the shorter version of the game as well and produced some memorable spells. He made his debut against New Zealand at Edgbaston during 1983 Cricket World Cup and won the man of the match award for his brilliant figures of 4/21 from 12 overs. He took 12 wickets in the tournament with an average of 22 including a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at the Headingley Stadium, Leeds. He continued his good form by picking 15 wickets in 8 matches of 1983–84 World Series Cup. Qadir played his last ODI against Sri Lanka at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in 1993. In total, Qadir played 104 ODIs during 1977–93, taking 132 wickets and averaged 26.16.
Qadir's was also a useful lower order bastman and played a few combative Test innings and some vital ODI ones, once taking 16 off Courtney Walsh's last over to win a World Cup tie. Qadir was also given the responsibilty for captaining the side in five Test matches during 1987–88 and 1988–89 out of which he lost four.
Abdul Qadir also served as the chief selector of PCB in November 2008 - June 2009.
Australian cricketer Richie Benaud included him in the "Greatest XI" shortlist of imaginary cricket team from the best players available from all countries and eras. Former English captain Graham Gooch said that "Qadir was even finer than Shane Warne". Ian botham called him the best leg-spinner he ever faced.
Abdul Qadir Statistics
Competition Test ODI FC
Match 67 104 209
Runs 1029 641 3740
Avg. 15.59 15.26 18.33
H.S 61 41* 112
100s/50s 0/3 0 2/8
Wickets 236 132 960
Avg. 32.80 26.16 23.24
BB 9/56 5/44 9/49
5w 15 2 75
10w 5 21
Catches 15 21 83
Abdul Qadir Achievement
- Yahoo! Cricket described Qadir as "a master of the leg-spin" who "mastered the googlies, the flippers, the leg-breaks and the topspins."
- He was included in Richie Benaud's Greatest XI shortlist of imaginary cricket team from the best players available from all countries and eras.
- Former English captain Graham Gooch said that "Qadir was even finer than Shane Warne"
- Served as the Chief Selecter of PCB (nov 2008 - June 2009)