Lahore:  Former Pakistan spinner Abdul Qadir, credited for reviving the art of leg-spin in 1970s and 80s, died of a heart attack in his hometown Lahore, yesterday. Qadir, who would have turned 64 on Sept.15, was one of favourites of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, now Pakistan’s Prime Minister.

Qadir made his Test debut against England in 1977 and went on to play 67 Tests, taking 236 wickets with a best of 9-65 against England at the same venue in 1987.

Those figures are still the best by a Pakistan bowler in a Test innings. He also took 132 wickets in 104 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), with Imran using him as an attacking weapon in the 1983 World Cup held in England. He played last of his international matches in 1993.