LAHORE, June 1: Former Test cricketer Saeed Ahmed, paid rich tributes to the legendary medium-pacer Fazal Mahmood, who died on Monday. Saeed said that the country had lost a valuable asset as Fazal was not only a renowned cricketer but also a great human being.

However, Saeed pointed out that he (Fazal) could not get the kind of respect which he deserved for the meritorious services he rendered for the country.

He demanded the government to announce for Fazal the country’s highest award and do whatever it could to prove to the world that this nation had great respect for those who have served it.

Saeed remarked that Fazal’s performance in cricket earned the country a lot of respect throughout the world and helped Pakistan beat giants of the game, England, soon after getting Test status.

He also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to honour the great cricketer because the facilities they were enjoying now were due to the performance of such great cricketers.

Meanwhile, former secretary PCB Arif Ali Khan Abbasi also praised Fazal’s performance for Pakistan in the field of cricket.

He said that Fazal’s name was etched in the minds of every citizen who had any link with the game.

The PCB always found Fazal ready whenever he was called to guide the youngsters, he added.