haseeb ahsan, pakistan cricket, pakistan cricket board, pcb, haseeb ahsan wasim akram
Haseeb Ahsan. -Photo courtesy PCB

KARACHI: Former Pakistan off-spinner and selector Haseeb Ahsan, credited with picking legend Wasim Akram in 1984, died Friday after prolonged illness, a family friend said. He was 73.

Ahsan was regarded as one of the most straight-forward cricket administrators, and headed Pakistan's World Cup 1987 organising committee and served as a national team manager.

Karachi City Cricket Association president Sirajul Islam Bukhari confirmed Ahsan died early Friday in the city.

“Ahsan fought illness with courage,” said Bukhari of Ahsan who was on dialysis for the last two years.

“He served the game well and was particularly supportive of cricket in Karachi.”

Ahsan played 12 Tests between 1958-62 and was a member of the Pakistan team on its first tour to the West Indies in 1958. He made his debut at Bridgetown where his old friend Hanif Mohammad scored 337 -- still Pakistan's highest Test score.

Former Pakistan captain and legendary paceman Wasim Akram said it was Ahsan who selected him for the first time in 1984.

“As the chief selector, Ahsan convinced everyone of my talent and selected me against New Zealand,” Wasim told AFP.

“He was very close to me and as a powerful selector he spotted young talent and threw them in the bigger battles.

“I have lost a very close supporter and it's a great loss for Pakistan cricket,” said Wasim.

Pakistan Cricekt Board chairman Zaka Ashraf paid tribute to Ahsan:

“Haseeb was not only a superb Test cricketer but also was a good administrator who intimately knew the game. His death is a loss to the cricketing fraternity.”

Ahsan scored 61 runs and picked 27 wickets in his brief career, hit by bowling action controversy.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...
Anti-women state
Updated 25 Nov, 2024

Anti-women state

GLOBALLY, women are tormented by the worst tools of exploitation: rape, sexual abuse, GBV, IPV, and more are among...
IT sector concerns
25 Nov, 2024

IT sector concerns

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ambitious plan to increase Pakistan’s IT exports from $3.2bn to $25bn in the ...
Israel’s war crimes
25 Nov, 2024

Israel’s war crimes

WHILE some powerful states are shielding Israel from censure, the court of global opinion is quite clear: there is...