Ex-Test cricketer Afaq Hussain dies

Published February 26, 2002

KARACHI, Feb 25: Former Test off-spinner Afaq Hussain died here Sunday night after a protracted illness.

Afaq, 62, left behind a widow, a son and two daughters to mourn his death.

One of the best known spinners of his time, Afaq played only two Tests — against England at Lahore, 1961-62 and Australia at Melbourne, 1964-65 — taking a solitary wicket, his victim being England captain Ted Dexter, who was out hit wicket for 20.

Afaq, however, excelled as a right-hand tailend batsman, scoring 66 runs in four Test innings without being dismissed. His highest score was an unbeaten 35 on debut batting at No 10, the top-scorer in Pakistan’s second innings.

A fine fieldsman in his own right, Afaq held 52 catches (including two in Tests) in a 67-match first-class career that spanned from 1957-58 until 1973-74.

The late Afaq represented Karachi, Karachi University, Pakistan Universities, PIA and PWD in first-class games, in which he claimed 214 wickets at 19.14 each with a best of eight for 108. As a batsman, Afaq scored 1448 runs at an average of 24.54 with a highest score of 122 not out — his only century.

Afaq was buried after Zohar prayers Monday at Defence graveyard. His funeral was also attended by a host of former Test and first-class cricketers, including former Pakistan skipper Mushtaq Mohammad, Nasim-ul-Ghani and Salahuddin Ahmed besides KCCA officials and sports journalists.

Soyem of the departed soul will be held Tuesday between Zuhar and Asr prayers at Masjid Noorul Islam, behind Zamzama DHA, for gents and for ladies at his residence Mall Square Apartment (behind Copper Kettle Restaurant), Zamzama.

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