Omar Kureishi dies

Omar Kureishi, the noted Pakistani sports columnist and broadcaster, has died, aged 77. He had been afflicted by a heart disease for some time, but the condition took a downturn on March 3 and he was admitted to a hospital in Karachi, where he died yesterday.

Kureishi was renowned for his observations and fiery opinions which appeared in the Dawn for 25 years. His quick wit won him a global fan-following and he wrote for publications in England and the Middle East as well. The cricketing fraternity in Pakistan - a large part of who counted themselves among his many friends - expressed deep sorrow at his death. Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the PCB, was quoted as having said to APP: "I can think of no better tribute than to liken Omar Kureishi to a Neville Cardus and John Arlott rolled into one. Omar's ascent to the pinnacle of his profession was due to his impeccable integrity, fairness and meticulous attention to detail."

Chishty Mujahid, the commentator, said, "He was my mentor and I learnt a lot from him. With his death an era has come to end. He was a kind-hearted man and I knew him while travelling with him at home and abroad." Wasim Bari added that his passing away was a national loss.

Kureishi became a noted cricket commentator in the 1950s and 1960s after acquiring a degree in international relations from the University of Southern California. After joining the Pakistani Standard, he became the resident editor of the Times of Karachi. He was later asked by Air Marshal Nur Khan, who led the country in the 1965 war against India, to join the national airline, PIA. Kureishi accepted and, together, the two put into place a system that allowed sportsmen to earn and play.