Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Saeed Ahmed passed away at the age of 86 on March 20 (Wednesday) due to prolonged illness. The Pakistan Cricket Board along with its chairman Mohsin Naqvi mourned the loss of Saeed, who died in Lahore. Saeed Ahmed played 15 years at the highest level for Pakistan after making his international debut in 1958. From 1958 to 1973, Saeed featured in 41 Tests for Pakistan, contributing both with the bat and the ball. Saeed captained Pakistan in three Tests and all three matches ended in a draw.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board is saddened over the passing away of the former Test Captain and holder of Pakistan’s Test cap number 27, Saeed Ahmed, at the age of 86 years,” the PCB said in a press release.
"Saeed made his Test debut against West Indies during the Bridgetown Test in 1958 and played his last Test for Pakistan in Melbourne during the 1972/73 tour. He was Pakistan’s sixth Test captain and replaced Hanif Mohammad as skipper of the side during England’s tour of Pakistan in 1969. He only led Pakistan for three Tests," the release added.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Saeed served Pakistan cricket with all his heart and that PCB honours his record and services for the Test team.
"The PCB is saddened over the demise of one of our former Test captains and expresses deep condolences to the family of Saeed Ahmed. He served Pakistan with all his heart and the PCB honours his record and services for the Test team," Naqvi was quoted as saying.
Saeed Ahmed's career
In 41 Tests for Pakistan, the right-handed batter amassed 2,991 runs with the help of five centuries and 16 fifties. He averaged 40.41 with the bat while his highest score was 172. With the ball, the right-arm off-spinner picked up 22 wickets with the help of one four-wicket-haul in an innings.
Talking about Saeed's First-Class career, the all-rounder scored 12,847 runs and bagged 332 wickets during his glittering career. He registered 34 centuries and 51 fifties with the bat while he bagged 15 five-wicket hauls with the ball.
Saeed's last match for Pakistan came against Australia in Melbourne in 1973 in which he scored a half-century in the first innings of the Test.
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