Saeed Ahmed, a former captain of Pakistan, dies away

<p>Following his retirement from cricket, Saeed Ahmed, a dashing batsman of his day and former Pakistan Test captain, lived a mainly solitary existence. He died away here. He was eighty-six.</p>
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<p>Ahmed participated in 41 Test matches, amassing 2,991 runs that included 16 half-centuries and five centuries. He also bowled off-spin and claimed 22 wickets.</p>
<p>Ahmed played his last Test match for Pakistan in Melbourne against Australia during the 1972–73 tour. Ahmed made his Test debut against the West Indies during the historic drawn Bridgetown Test in 1958, when he was 20 years old.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, during that trip, his career in Pakistan came to an unjustifiable end.</p>
<p>After his argument with the bowler in the Melbourne Test, the Pakistan board thought that Ahmed had staged a back ailment to avoid facing Dennis Lillee on a green surface in Sydney.</p>
<p>Ahmed was never again chosen for Pakistan after being returned from the trip due to disciplinary issues.</p>
<p>But even before then, Ahmed was renowned for his grace, especially on those ground drives, and his love of large scores.</p>
<p>In his first Test match against the Windies, Saeed had a partnership of more than 150 runs with Hanif Muhammad, who scored a remarkable 337 runs in the second innings to enable Pakistan secure a draw.</p>
<p>During the knock, Muhammad batted for 970 minutes and Ahmed scored a determined 65.</p>
<p>During England’s 1969 tour to Pakistan, he took over as captain of the team, becoming Pakistan’s sixth Test captain.</p>
<p>Only three Tests, all of which ended in draws, did he lead Pakistan.</p>
<p>“The entire cricketing fraternity is saddened over the demise of one of our former Test captains,” said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqv. We are sending Saeed Ahmed’s family our sincere sympathies.</p>
<p>“The PCB honours his record and services for the Test team. He served Pakistan with all his heart.”</p>
<p>Younus Ahmed, Saeed’s half-brother, represented Pakistan in four Test matches as well. Imran Khan selected him for the 1987 India trip, and he participated in a Test match.</p>