Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi

Hassan Qureshi reflects on the life and times of his uncle, a Pakistan grassroots cricket stalwart, who died on October 31

If you play, organise or watch grassroots cricket in Lahore or indeed across Pakistan then you would have met or known the late Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi who passed away suddenly on October 31.

A gentleman off the pitch who was well known for his fierce will to win on it that saw him play organized cricket at a high level locally and internationally well into his sixties. Across Pakistan and indeed in many other countries you will find countless people who will credit him for helping them to become better versions of themselves; fitter, more focused and most importantly more compassionate.

Born into a well respected family of landed gentry with strong spiritual ties he was educated at Pakistan's most famous preparatory school Aitchison College, established during the British rule of the subcontinent to train the children of local dignitaries along the lines found in institutions such as Eton and Harrow. Alumni include current Prime Minister and former World Cup winning captain Imran Khan, a close personal friend of the deceased, as well as former Presidents, Prime Ministers, test cricketers and industrialists. Ashiq's father served as the Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous and important province, in the 70's and a close aide of then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. 

After his schooling Ashiq joined the Pakistan Military Academy and graduated to become an officer in the armoured corps regiment; throughout his life he maintained the discipline of military life and credited it with giving him great focus and a strong work ethic seldom found amongst those of a similar background. He left the military to work in Pakistan's Foreign Service and was deputed firstly to Paris and then to London, where he famously set up the Embassy's cricket team.

After returning to Pakistan in 1978 he dedicated his life not just to the sport he loved but also to using it as a tool for social change. His club in Lahore, the famous P & T Gymkhana (Panthers and Tigers), has produced as many as four International umpires including the highly respected Aleem Dar and also groomed test cricketers such as Abdul Razzaq. He served as France's consul general in Lahore for many years and was awarded the nation's highest civil honour the Legion d'Honneur for his services. 

My father's eldest brother, Ashiq was a strong influence in the life of my brothers and I from a very young age. Weekends were dedicated to cricket and many a Saturday we would be woken up at an ungodly hour, told to change into our whites and driven off for hours to play games.

The return journey would be spent analyzing the game as well as our own contributions in a calm manner,unlike during the game where world class fielding efforts or huge sixes would barely merit a mention. I vividly remember as a 15 year old going to spend a day at his house with my cousins dressed in my Sunday best of white shirt, khaki trousers and Timberland boat shoes that were all the rage in mid 90's Lahore.

I had barely sat inside for five minutes before I ran into him and was told that a game was taking place in his tennis court before being taken away to bowl to and bat against ex first class players boasting thousands of runs and hundreds of wickets between them. By the end of this "friendly" series my shoes were shredded, my shirt torn and my khakis were three shades darker. But I did survive an over of probing left arm spin from a man with hundreds of first class wickets! Years later I played another friendly game and was taken to the cleaners by a bespectacled and portly gentleman who I later found out was a former Paksitani test wicketkeeper with a test double ton to his name! 

Winning was second nature to the man and his home was littered with trophies from across the country, my aunt even using some as flower pots! He captained with complete authority and his demanding of excellence would reduce grown men to tears; his Pepsi Cola Lahore Club team would win the country's largest club cricket tournament 14 times in 18 years through the 80's and 90's. We learned early that one sure shot way of avoiding the verbals was by either performing well or giving 100 per cent, for he never berated anyone for a lack of ability but a lack of desire was simply unacceptable.

An all rounder with a homespun batting technique that saw his top hand hold the bat at an angle he was also a swing bowler who had bowled with serious pace in his youth and played for Pakistan's under 19 side against their English counterparts in 1969 as well as a single first class match for Pakistan Railways. A complete athlete in his youth he held school, university or national records in as many as eight athletics disciplines at a time and was consistently awarded best athlete at intermediate, junior and senior levels.

After his family, he was the proud father of four fantastic daughters who have all excelled in their chosen fields, and cricket Ashiq's biggest love was philanthropy. A founder member of Imran Khan's Shaukat Khanum Hospital he served on it's board of directors and raised millions for the cause across the world. He also headed the current prime minister's eponymous foundation that has set up a college with a close working relationship with the University of Bradford to sponsor disadvantaged students as well as providing relief to thousands affected by disasters across Pakistan since 2000.

He also established veterans cricket in Pakistan, serving as CEO and later manager of the over 50's side that made the World Cup final at the first ever over 50's tournament in Australia and lost narrowly to the hosts. Australia is also the setting of one of his most iconic photos as he was seen by millions as one of the first people to greet captain Imran Khan after Pakistan won the final at Melbourne.

A pious and kind man who worked tirelessly for others Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was a throwback to a time when those in positions of privilege would use their influence to better the lives of those with less. As well being my uncle he was also my inspiration and mentor, as he was to hundreds if not thousands of others. His funeral was attended by throngs of people from different walks of life, all of whom had nothing but praise for the man who treated them all equally regardless of their background.

At a concert in Toronto just recently Pakistan's iconic rock band Junoon dedicated a song to him whose video he had helped make possible by taking them to Multan and arranging it's shoot at the very shrine were he now rests. It was a fitting tribute to a man who will forever be remembered as the Sufi Ashiq (his name literally means "one who loves") of Multan.

Rest in peace my beloved Chacha, you are dearly missed everyday.