Karachi, June 18, 2026: Veteran cricket journalist, broadcaster, and former first-class cricketer Qamar Ahmed has passed away in Karachi at the age of 88, marking the end of an era for cricket journalism in Pakistan and around the world.
Widely known and affectionately called “Q” within cricketing and journalistic circles, Qamar Ahmed was regarded as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished and internationally recognized cricket correspondents. His career in journalism began in London after an early stint as a first-class cricketer in Pakistan during the 1950s.
Over the decades, he reported on international cricket across continents, working for leading global news organizations including Reuters and AFP, and contributing to the BBC. He also provided broadcast coverage for television and radio networks, including TVNZ during the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, an edition ultimately won by Pakistan.
Qamar Ahmed covered every Cricket World Cup from its early editions through to 2007 in the Caribbean. He later shifted his focus from one-day internationals—famously calling them “pyjama cricket”—to Test cricket, a format he deeply cherished. His distinguished milestone came in 2014, when the third Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah marked his 400th Test match covered as a journalist, placing him among the most experienced cricket reporters in history.
Throughout his career, he witnessed and chronicled some of the most defining moments in cricket history. These included Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph led by Imran Khan, as well as landmark performances by global greats such as Sunil Gavaskar, Richard Hadlee, and Anil Kumble.
His reporting also extended beyond the field, covering major cricket-related events and controversies, including Pakistan’s internal player disputes in the 1970s that contributed to the professionalisation of the sport, the 1992–93 West Indies tour incident involving Pakistani players, and the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. He also documented global milestones such as cricket’s 1,000th and 2,000th Test matches.
Qamar Ahmed authored several books, including biographies of Hanif Mohammad and Waqar Hasan, and his memoir Far More than a Game published in 2020. Known for his vivid storytelling, he was a familiar and charismatic presence in press boxes around the world.
Beyond journalism, he maintained close friendships with many leading cricketers, including Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, and other prominent figures of Pakistan cricket. He also shared a long association with film icon Mohammad Ali, reflecting his wide social circle beyond sport.
Even in later years, he remained active in cricketing circles and continued attending media gatherings, including events in the United Kingdom, where colleagues celebrated his contributions to the profession.
Born as a left-arm spinner, Qamar Ahmed played 17 first-class matches in Pakistan’s early domestic structure and once dismissed several members of the famous Mohammad cricketing family on their debuts, a rare distinction that remained part of his personal lore.
His passing marks a profound loss for the global cricket fraternity. Colleagues and admirers remember him not only as a journalist of exceptional depth and reach but also as a storyteller, mentor, and enduring ambassador of the game whose life remained inseparable from cricket until the very end.
