LAHORE, Oct 4: Cricket greats heaped praise on former Pakistani captain and wicket-keeper Wasim Bari on his testimonial match here on Friday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced that the first One-day International between Pakistan and South Africa on Friday was a testimonial match for Bari in acknowledgement of his services to the game.

Bari, 55, played for Pakistan in 81 Tests and claimed 228 victims behind the stumps during his illustrious career between 1967 to 1984. He also captained the Pakistani side briefly.

“Bari was the best wicket-keeper in the world. I have never had any reason to change my mind about that,” former West Indian great Viv Richards said in a message.

“From the pace of Imran Khan to the mysterious spin of Mushtaq Mohammad, Intikhab Alam and Abdul Qadir he was equally good,” Richards added.

Bari was the first wicket-keeper in Test cricket to claim a world record of seven catches in an innings against New Zealand at Auckland in 1978-79.

Former England wicket-keeper Bob Taylor, one of two keepers who later equalled Bari’s world record, said in his message that Bari proved himself a world class player.

“There is only one way a keeper can prove himself and that is when he is standing up to the stumps against spin bowlers and Bari proved himself,” said Taylor.—AFP