KARACHI, May 31: Pakistan pace bowling great Fazal Mahmood, who died in Lahore on Monday at the age of 78, was a great fan of young cricketers, according to former spinner Hasib Ahsan. “Fazal always encouraged youngsters and willingly helped them whenever he had the time,” Hasib recalled on Tuesday while paying tribute to the late Test cricketer. “His death has suddenly created a void that will never be filled.”

Hasib was all praise for the man under whom he played several Tests. “I cannot forget his words of encouragement when I played under his leadership, especially during the tour of India in 1960-61. He supported me throughout the series.”

Hasib described Fazal as a true and patriotic Pakistani who gave his all to the nation. “To him, Pakistan stood above everything else. He never performed below his best while playing for the country.

“It was his individual contribution that paved the way for Pakistan to gain Test status within a short period soon after the independence in 1947. His performance against the MCC in 1951 is something we should not forget whenever we talk about the history of Pakistan cricket.”