Former Test cricketer Imtiaz Ahmed, a member of Pakistan's first-ever Test team, died in a Lahore hospital on Saturday due to protracted illness. He was 88 years old. His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered in Lahore which was attended by people hailing from different walks of life including former cricketers and PCB officials. Later he was laid to rest in a graveyard.
Imtiaz was suffering from a chest infection, one of his family members said. Imtiaz played 41 Tests for Pakistan between 1952 and 1962, and captained in four of those matches towards the end of his career. He made 2079 runs at an average of 29, and took 77 catches and effected 16 stumpings. His career-best score of 209 came against New Zealand in Lahore in 1955.
In 1960, Imtiaz received the presidential pride of performance award, and later in life he was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his services to the Pakistan Air Force; he retired as a wing commander after 27 years spent mainly in administrative roles. Imtiaz also served as a Pakistan selector for 13 years and was the head of the selection committee between 1976 and 1978. He then took up a coaching role and spent nearly a decade developing Under-19 cricketers. His last assignment was with the department that handles women's cricket in Pakistan, where he served as an advisor for three years from 2005 to 2008.
Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan, Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi and Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad have offered their heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Imtiaz Ahmed. "This is a sad day for Pakistan cricket. Losing another legend after Hanif Mohammad in the same year is a great loss to Pakistan's cricket. The entire cricketing fraternity, in this country, is in sorrow over the sad demise of Imtiaz Ahmed. He was a great gentleman and will be missed", said the PCB Chairman.
"This is very sad news. Imtiaz was one of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen the country had ever produced and was a true ambassador of the game. He was truly a legend of the game in Pakistan", said Chairman Executive Committee, Najam Sethi. "The Entire PCB family expresses their sorrow on the passing away of Imtiaz Ahmed. May the soul of the departed rest in eternal peace and grant the family and the dear ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss", said PCB COO, Subhan Ahmad.
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