Qamar Ahmed, Who Covered 450+ Test Matches, Dies at 88

Veteran sports journalist, commentator and former first-class cricketer Qamar Ahmed has passed away in Karachi at the age of 88, bringing an end to one of the most remarkable careers in cricket journalism.

His family confirmed his death on Thursday and said he had suffered a heart attack two weeks ago. Ahmed spent more than seven decades chronicling the sport and earned global recognition for his reporting, analysis and commentary.

Widely respected across cricketing circles, Ahmed covered some of the game’s biggest moments and personalities while travelling extensively across major cricket-playing nations. His work made him one of Pakistan’s most recognised sports journalists and a familiar figure in press boxes around the world.

A Life Dedicated to Cricket

Before becoming a journalist, Ahmed played first-class cricket for Hyderabad and Sindh. Records show he featured in 17 first-class matches as a slow left-arm spinner and represented Hyderabad during Pakistan’s domestic cricket circuit in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

After studying English Literature at the University of Sindh, he began his journalism career in Hyderabad and later worked as a freelance cricket writer, broadcaster and commentator. His reporting career took off in the 1960s and eventually led him to the BBC Urdu Service in London.

Ahmed went on to become one of the most travelled cricket journalists in history. In January 2014, he became only the third journalist after John Woodcock and Richie Benaud to cover 400 Test matches. By the later stages of his career, that figure had crossed 450 Tests, a milestone few journalists have approached.

Speaking after reaching the 400-Test milestone, Ahmed said: “It’s a great honour to complete 400 Test matches as a journalist and I am proud at the distinction.”

His reporting career also included more than 730 One Day Internationals and multiple ICC Cricket World Cups, making him one of the most experienced cricket correspondents of his generation.

Author, Historian and Mentor

Ahmed authored the autobiography Far More Than A Game, in which he chronicled his journey from student life in Hyderabad, Sindh, to his years as a journalist in London and his experiences covering cricket across the globe. The book also documented important moments in Pakistan’s cricket history and offered a personal account of the sport’s evolution over several decades.

Colleagues often described him as a custodian of cricket history. He contributed to Pakistani and international publications, including Dawn, BBC Urdu and leading cricket magazines, while also mentoring younger generations of sports reporters.

The Sports Journalists Association Sindh (SJAS) expressed profound grief over his death.

In a joint condolence statement, SJAS President Mahmood Riaz, Secretary Mujahid Solangi and members of the governing body said that Qamar Ahmed’s contributions to sports journalism were invaluable and unforgettable.

They said his remarkable services to cricket journalism would always be remembered and would continue to inspire future generations of journalists.

The association prayed for the elevation of his ranks, forgiveness and strength for his family. It added that with his passing, “a bright and significant chapter in sports journalism has come to an end.”

Ahmed leaves behind a legacy that stretches from the cricket fields of Hyderabad to some of the most iconic venues in world cricket. His reporting preserved countless moments of the game’s history and helped shape cricket journalism in Pakistan for generations.