KARACHI: Commissioner Karachi Ifitikhar Shallwani on Monday announced that he will himself request the government to honour former Test spinner and respected official Iqbal Qasim with the Pride of Performance award for his remarkable services rendered to the game during the past four decades.

Speaking at a reception held at the Commissioner’s Office to celebrate Iqbal Qasim’s recent appointment as the head of the PCB cricket committee, the Shallwani said the manner in which the former spinner has served the game is known to everyone in the country.

“Iqbal Bhai’s appointment as the head of the PCB committee is recognition of his tremendous services for cricket and a proof of his integrity and his non-controversial career,” the commissioner said.

“As a fine, hard-working match-winning player in his time and later as chief selector and as the NBP Sports Head, Iqbal has discharged his duties with utmost diligence and honesty and have earned the respect of everyone,” he added.

Iqbal Qasim thanked the commissioner for his support and the grand reception held in his honour. “”This is the greatest moment of my life that the Administrative Head of this province has honoured me with full protocol,” he said. “I have always tried my best to accomplish whtever job or assignment is given to me and Inshallah as head of PCB cricket committee, I will ensure that I do justice in my job.

Praising PM Imran Khan, Iqbal said: “He (Imran) was my captain in my playing days and brought the best out of me then. I sincerely hope that as the country’s PM now, he will look after the cricket affairs well.”

In the end Shallwani reiterated that the Sindh govt, under the able and dynamic leadership of CM Murad Ali Shah, is committed to make Karachi and Sindh as peaceful places for its citizens where they can enjoy social harmony, freedom of expression, sports, arts and cultural activities besides a healthy environment.

He further added that the inaugural ceremony and matches of PSL 5 in the city will bring glamour and excitement to the people of this land who also participated wholeheartedly in the two marathons held in the city.

The reception was attended by sports personalities and officials including Deputy Comm­issioner South Irshad Ali Sodhar Khalid Shamsi, wrestler Abid Ali, Ghulam Mohammad, Asif Azeem, Makhdoom Riaz, Asghar Baloch and others.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2020