Aesaa Naheeñ Chalay Ga?

It was the end of 2016 …

… and it took another one away.

Imtiaz Ahmad

Batsman, Wicket Keeper, Bowler

5th January 1928 — 31st December 2016

He brought colour into our lives.

Played in his first test for Pakistan in 1952

against neighbouring India.

Played for Nehru's Indian Team (at Nehru's request)

against the Rest of the World, scoring

300 Runs - Not Out

at the Brabourne Stadium, Bombay.

With his partner, Maqsood Ahmed,

Imtiaz was the fastest batsman in our team.

"Caught Imtiaz, Bowled Fazal"

(Fazal Mahmood 'Fazalled' England — Remember?)

That was our favourite phrase at the time.

He retired from Test Cricket in 1962.

Remained at the Cricket Academy until his death.

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Imtiaz was not just a brilliant cricketer,

he was also a lovely poet.

Read about him in my earlier posts

Kaesay Kaesay Loag - Revelations (1)

Kaesay Kaesay Loag - Revelations (2)

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Thank you for those wonderful days, Imtiaz Sahab.