Abdul Qadir

Abdul Qadir is mainly remembered as he kept wrist spin alive during the late 1970s and 1980s. He was bestowed with the fire and temperament of a fast bowler and he blended his craft with mystique. The captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Imran Khan had a major influence on Qadir’s career and was successful in extracting the best out of him. Prior to the tour of England in 1982, Imran advised him to grow a French beard to enhance the aura of his bowling and this was a successful move. Throughout Qadir’s career, the England batsmen were his favorite victims. In 1987-88, he took 9 wickets for 56 runs against England, which is the best bowling performance in an innings by a Pakistani bowler.

Qadir’s bowling action was very extravagant and he has frequently admitted that he chose such an action to distract the batsman. His forte was variety. It is claimed that he could bowl six varied balls in an over. It is also said that he had two different googlies.

Career Highlights

Abdul Qadir played in 104 ODIs and in these bowled 5100 deliveries, conceded 3454 runs and picked up 132 wickets. His economy rate was 4.06, bowling average was 26.16 and bowling strike rate was 38.6. He scored 641 runs with 41 not out as his highest score. He slammed 17 sixers and 36 fours and took 21 catches.