Twirl me a tale Abdul Qadir

In life I think most of us have a sincere admiration for people who have overcame huge odds to excel in their chosen pursuit in life. For call me a cynic or a realist depending on your point of view,but often in life, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters.Or its also very much a case of what part of society you are born into. In regards to if you are born affluent you have a greater chance of success for of the opportunity that this affords you.In many countries you are also stricken by your ‘class’ as to how a society is set up.In some Countries this is very much overwhelming in others it exists but is more subtle.Though few would disagree that the perception of you and the opportunities afforded to you emanates from this.This was definitely the case in the late 70′s in Pakistan.A country that is so stricken by bickering factions and class divisions.As is the case in most of Asia.So when the poor as poor boy in Abdul Qadir was inserted in the Pakistan in 1977 more than a few eyebrows were raised.In truth this was only made possible by his cause being championed by a once in a lifetime figure in the almost Demi God in Pakistan that is Imran Khan.Who when he said jump people in authority asked how high, whereas for others they’d think sure and that will happen when Martians have a siticom.This move was even more miraculous by the fact at the time on the back of the dominance of the Windies due to their pace battery and earlier the Aussie duo of Lillee and Thomson.No one was looking for spinners.They all wanted speed….speed….. and more speed……..

So in a way it was breaking away from the current norm for the last traditional leg spinner that enjoyed any meaningful sucess in the Qadir sense was probably Australia’s Richie Benaud.Chandra’ was a great success for India but he was very much an unorthodox leggie.Though Imran stuck to his choice and what a revelation Qadir was from his very first ball.I say this for everything about him had an appeal.He’d be at his bowling mark flicking the ball in the air then he’d start on his run up.This was the epitome of charisma,so bouncy and mystical and such effort.In a way before even the ball was pitched he had everyone under his spell.Sadly included in this was the batsman too!He didn’t have the typical demeanour of a spinner either and seemed to have gone to the Bishen Bedi school of attitude.For he had such a fast bowlers angst which again was so part of his appeal.When on the beckoning of Imran he grew his goatee beard he was almost fearsome.Though don’t let all this mistake you in regards to his ability,for boy could this lad bowl!There are many instances of this, but in truth its hard to go past his role in dismembering a great West Indian batting line up in 1986 at Faisalabad.In the second inning with a line up containing names such as Haynes,Greenidge,Richardson,Richards,Dujon.he just went through them like a hot knife goes through butter getting 6/16 to dismiss them for 53.Yes you read it right 53!In the time of Qadir the Windies though they dominated everyone else struggled against Pakistan.Then a year later in Lahore, he was one of the rare bowlers to get 9 wickets in an innings.When he ran through England getting 9/56.

Earlier in 87 in the lead up to the World Cup to underline his standing in the game.He was touted as Pakistans biggest star in a side that contained names such as Imran and Javed Miandad.In this tournament ended for Pakistan by Australia in the Semi Final stage symbolically with Qadir going wicketless. He indeed didn’t disappoint getting 12 wickets from his 7 matches at an average just over 20.Indeed very impressive isn’t it?Though aside from his on field excellence and mystique and the charm of the story of the poor boy made good against great odds.He was more in regards to he revolutionised the game.For at the time everyone wanted 4 quicks to mimick the great West Indies,but after the success of Qadir.Teams were scouring near and far to find leg spinners for of there affect in all types of games.For in truth all bowlers have there own effectiveness,but the rareness of a great leg spinner like Qadir truly is so hard to play.This because the art form,which in truth it is is so hard to find.You might be able to find an adequate one,but a great one is very rare.Like in the 80′s you could make a case that Qadir’s lethal googly was the most effective ball in the game, such as Warne’s flipper in the 90′s was the same.In a way that says it all doesn’t it?

Thankfully in Abdul’s retirement there is talk of one of his sons following in his footsteps in Usman.We can only pray that he replicates the beauty that his father embodied on the cricket field!