THIS is with reference to the report ‘Ex-Test cricketer Saeed Ahmad passes away’ (March 21). The man, who also had a brief stint as the national captain, belonged to the second generation of Pakistani test cricketers.

Incidentally, not a single one of the 11 cricketers, who had played the first ever test match, against India in Delhi in October 1952, is alive today.

Saeed, who played 41 test matches in a career spanning 15 years, had also remained the captain of Government Islamia College, Lahore’s cricket team. He was selected to represent Pakistan in the test series against West Indies in 1958. He proved his mettle by scoring four 50s and a century in a five-match test series, which, to say the least, was challenging. He was a top quality batsman who was known for his stroke play.

In the late 1950s, he used to represent the Universal Club in Lahore, which was owned by one Q.D. Butt, who was lovingly called Kuptanji by the cricketers. The club had its base at the far end of the scenic ground adjoining the Burt Institute in Railway Colony, Garhi Shahu. Similarly, other test cricketers who represented the Universal Club were Fazal Mahmood, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Aslam Khokhar and S.F. Rehman.

As a schoolboy, I would never miss watching the fixtures on Sundays, especially listening to the conversation of test cricketers. I once overheard Saeed, who had recently returned from the West Indies tour, telling Butt that he had visited Rohan Kanhai and was amazed by the fact such a renowned cricketer was living in a small house.

It was perhaps this fascination that inspired Saeed in the latter stages of his life to become a dedicated preacher.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024