Maqsood Ahmed

Maqsood Ahmed is a former Pakistani cricketer who represented his country in 16 Test matches between 1952 and 1955. He served as an all-rounder and later transitioned into significant administrative and coaching roles within Pakistan cricket.

Early life and education

Maqsood Ahmed was born on 26 March 1925 in Amritsar. He attended Islamia College, Lahore, for his education. Before the creation of Pakistan, he competed for Southern Punjab in India. In his very first match, he scored 144 runs.

Career

Ahmed was a right-handed middle-order batsman who hit the ball with great aggression. He played a vital role when he scored 137 against the visiting MCC in 1951–52. This performance helped establish Pakistan as a Test playing nation. In 1952, he traveled to England and became the first Pakistani to play as a professional cricketer. The English press gave him the nickname "Merry Max.

His Test career included 16 matches where he scored 507 runs. He also functioned as a right-arm medium fast bowler and took 3 wickets in Test cricket. While he was a brilliant batsman, his Test performances were irregular because of a carefree attitude. His highest Test score was 99, which he achieved during the Third Test against India in 1954–55.

His first-class statistics show a more consistent record than his Test appearances. Between 1945 and 1964, he played 85 matches and scored 3815 runs. This tally included 6 centuries. He also claimed 124 wickets during this period. His best bowling figures were 7 for 39 and 6 for 44 against Sargodha in 1962–63. During that same season, he was the leading bowler in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy with 34 wickets at an average of 9.29. He held captaincy roles for Karachi Blues and Rawalpindi in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.

After his playing days ended, Ahmed worked as a sports journalist and commentator for Radio Pakistan, BBC, and PTV. He served as the Chief National Cricket Coach for Pakistan. In this capacity, he coached several Test stars such as Intikhab Alam, Asif Iqbal, Mushtaq Mohammad, Sadiq Mohammad, and Majid Khan. He also held the position of Chairman of the National Selection Committee for the Pakistan Cricket Board. This committee selected the team that won the World Cup in 1991–92.

Personal life

Ahmed dedicated his entire life to the promotion of cricket in Pakistan from independence until his death. He died on 4 January 1999 in Rawalpindi.

Awards and recognition

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium honors his legacy through the "Maqsood Ahmed Enclosure," which is one of its gates. A bench at the Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground inside the Lahore Gymkhana also carries his name. These tributes recognize his lifelong service to the sport.