An opening batsman for Transvaal, Ahmed Gabru played 19 first-class matches under the old South African Cricket Board (SACB), where players of colour were allowed to play, in the 1970s. He is best remembered for his record second-wicket partnership of 273 with Ismail Garda for Transvaal against Natal in the 1971-72 series. Gabru's only hundred came in the match. In 1976 he moved to Botswana, where he - with team-mate Ebrahim Bhamjee - persuaded local authorities to build a cricket ground that is still in use today. He returned to South Africa in 1996 and helped with ICC Africa's coaching programme. Gabru died after a long illness in Johannesburg on July 22, 2011. ESPNcricinfo staff