Sports community mourns ‘cricketer’ Sabri’s death

KARACHI: Amjad Farid Sabri was acknowledged all over the world as one of Pakistan’s best known Qawwals. But very few knew that he was also an avid cricketer and also keenly followed other sports like hockey and squash.

Shot dead in Karachi on Wednesday, Amjad was mourned by the city’s sports community as it joined the rest of the country in grief.

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, squash legend Jahangir Khan and many other sports persons and officials expressed their sorrow over Amjad’s shocking murder.

“He was a great qawwal, a greater human being and a very passionate cricketer as well as cricket fan,” said Salahuddin Sallu, the former Pakistan Test cricketer.

Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, remembered Amjad as a regular on the cricket field.

“He (Amjad) was a much-loved person in the cricket circles. He played regularly with us and we all knew that he had great love for the sport,” said Fawad.

Among the mourners was Test cricketer Faisal Iqbal, who recalled many cherished memories with Amjad. “Amjad bhai was very dear to all of us,” he said.

Just three days back, Amjad played in a match of a Ramzan cricket tournament at the Moin Khan Cricket Academy Ground in DHA. He was a skillful bowler who could bat and showed his talents by picking up three wickets in the recently played match.