PESHAWAR: Former first class cricketer and famous as Baba-e-Cricket Nazir Muhammad died of cardiac arrest here at Lady Ready Hospital in eve hours on Friday and was later on buried in his native grave yard Shahbaz Garri, District Charsadda. He was 71.

The deceased left behind a widow, a son and three daughters.

His Namaz-e-Janaza was largely attended people from different walk of life including prominent Test cricketers, his relatives and well wishers including former Test cricketer Maazullah Khan, Pakistan World Cup opener Wajahat Ullah Wasti, Test cricketer Fazal-e-Akbar, former International Test umpire and his close friend Mian Said Shah, international cricketer Akhtar Sarfaraz, Waseem Yousafi, ex-fast bowler Muhammad Shafique, former member of the Pakistan Cricket Board Governing Board and ex-President Regional Cricket Association Peshawar Muhammad Wisal Durrani, former President Peshawar Division Cricket Association Abdul Aziz Khan, Secretary PDCA Asghar Khan, Ex-Secretary PDCA Hanif Shah, PML-N provincial leader Zaka Ullah Khan and office-bearers of District Cricket Associations.

In his condolence messages Adviser to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sports Amjad Khan Afridi, Secretary Sports, Tourism, and Youth Affairs Aftab Akbar Durrani, former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah have expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and offered fateh for the departed soul.

They also prayed to Almighty Allah to rest him in peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

Late Nazir Muhammad started his cricketing carrier in early late 50s and was become captain of the Peshawar Division team.

He also formed one of the oldest Club in 1960 with the name of Hashnagar Cricket Club District. With his more cricketing activities, late Nazir Muhammad, a fast bowler in his time was famous for his swing bowling.

After Hashnagir Club of Charsadda District, late Nazir Muhammad got fame with his excellent seam bowling and was remained as captain for three years of the Peshawar Division team. He also formed two more clubs with the name of Northern Sports Cricket Club and Northern Colts Cricket Club.

He was also manager of the Peshawar Division team who twice won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophies in way back 90s.

Late Nazir Muhammad also served as caretaker of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium and Gymkhana ground. When asked to comment former International Test umpire Mian Said Shah said that Nazir Muhammad was a thorough gentleman.

He also paid rich tribute to late Nazir Muhammad.

He served the cricket without any reward because of his patience toward the game.

He was soft spoken and as soft by heart too, Shah added.

"The old and young cricketers lost a good human being and good friend," former skipper of Peshawar Division Cricket Association Abdul Aziz Khan said in a condolence message.

"We called Nazir as lala (elder brother), he was manager of the team that won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Grade-I in 1996, former Pakistan World Cup opener Wajahat Ullah Wasti said.

Nazir Lala rendered great services for the promotion of cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Wasti added.

He served the cricket without any reward and even ready all the time for the hospitality of visiting teams at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium, former Test cricketer Maazullah Khan said.

Nazir Muhammad left behind a son, who is mentally ill and three daughters.

The cricketers also appealed to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board to announce financial help to Nazir Lala?s widows as Nazir served the cricket over four decades.

Late Nazir Muhammad remained as liaison officers with all the visiting Test teams to Peshawar including India, South Africa, Australia, Zimbabwe, England, Sri Lank and Bangladesh.

APP