Veteran Pakistani cricket journalist Qamar Ahmed became only the third
man in history to cover 400 Test matches on Thursday, at the third match
between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
The 76-year-old, fondly known as Q to friends and cricketers around the world, follows British journalist John Woodcock of The Times and former Australian captain-turned-writer and commentator Richie Benaud to the milestone. Ahmed covered cricket’s 1,000th Test, between Pakistan and New Zealand at Hyderabad, Pakistan, in 1984 and the 2,000th, between England and India at Lord’s in 2011. He has also clocked up 732 one-day internationals and eight World Cup tournaments.
“It’s a great honor to complete 400 Test matches as a journalist and I am proud at the distinction,” said Ahmed, a former left-arm spinner who has the distinction of dismissing all five of Pakistan’s legendary Mohammad brothers in first class cricket in 1950s and 60s. Ahmed was a promising player as a young man and almost made the Pakistan side for the country’s first ever tour of the West Indies in 1958, but missed out and decided to fulfill his ambitions off the field instead.
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has congratulated renowned sports journalist Qamar Ahmed on achieving the unique distinction of covering his 400th Test match at the ongoing Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
The PCB acknowledged Qamar’s distinction by presenting him with a memento to mark the occasion. Pakistan team manager Moin Khan presented the memento on behalf of the board during the lunch break on the first day of the third Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah.
“With the entire Pakistan squad present on the occasion, captain Misbah-ul-Haq also presented a shirt to Mr Qamar Ahmed signed by the entire Pakistan team,” a PCB press release stated.ious occasion in his career showered so much love and affection besides paying rich tributes which he will continue to cherish all his life.
