KARACHI: Former first class player and renowned organiser Iqbal Umar passed away here at a local hopsital on Monday after a brief illness. He was 74.

His funeral prayers were held at Alhamra Masjid and he was buried at the Meva Shah Graveyard.

Iqbal Umar was the founder-director of Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association and played a key role in organizing Inter-School Cricket of PVCA. Iqbal, a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman, also featured in one first class match.

Iqbal used to play regularly for Karachi Gymkhana Veteran. He was also a former president of Karachi Cotton Exchange and Karachi Gymkhana Club.

Besides cricket, he was also instrumental in organising a number of basketball and football tournaments and supported many sports activities in Karachi during the past three decades.

He is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters. Dua for the departed soul will be held on Wednesday morning between 9:30am and 10:30am at Alhamra Masjid at Alhamra Society.

PVCA Chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan, former chief selector Salahuddin Sallu, Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar, NBP Sports Department head Ovais Asad Khan and several other prominent sports personalities have condoled his sad demise and have paid tributes to his long and meritorious services for sports.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2017