KARACHI: Prof Sirajul Islam Bukhari, Secretary of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), has condoled the passing away of former Pakistan Test cricketer Zulfiqar Ahmed, on behalf of the KCCA.

In a press statement issued here, Bukhari said that the late Zulfiqar Ahmed was an integral part of the Pakistan cricket team under Abdul Hafeez Kardar during the 1950s, in its period of infancy.

Though the late off-spinner, who died at the age of 81, could play in only nine Test matches during 1952-57 as Test matches were few and far between, he was a member of the Pakistan team on the inaugural tour of India in 1952-53.

The team registered its first ever Test victory on foreign soil, when it won by an innings and 43 runs at Lucknow. Zulfiqar was also a member of the team which recorded its first win on home soil, when it beat New Zealand at National Stadium Karachi by an innings margin in 1955-56.

Zulfiqar played a major role in this Test triumph capturing five wickets for 37 runs and six for 42 (11-79 in the match).

Zulfiqar also served as Secretary of the then Board of Control for Cricket in pakistan (BCCP) for a short period during 1986-87, but he left a lasting impression on the cricketing fraternity of Pakistan.

Bukhari said he recalls that the late Zulfiqar was a very loveable and pious personality. He was also a first-class umpire.

Zulfiqar died in Lahore’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on October 3. He would have turned 82 years old on November 22.