By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: The passing of Sir Garry Sobers marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in cricket history. Across generations, players have spoken of his unmatched brilliance, but for former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad, the memories are deeply personal.
Sadiq is among the fortunate few who not only watched Sobers’ genius from close quarters but also shared the crease with the West Indian legend during an exhibition match more than five decades ago.
Reflecting on the loss, Sadiq described Sobers as “the best of all legends ever to have lived.”
“I am lucky and proud to have played and batted with him,” Sadiq recalled. “We shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 50 runs in just four overs during one of the Rothmans Cavaliers matches in the 1969 season against the Cambridge University Past and Present XI at the Cambridge University ground. It remains one of the most treasured memories of my cricketing life.”
For Sadiq, the partnership was far more than a statistical achievement. It was an opportunity to witness firsthand the extraordinary talent of a cricketer widely regarded as the most complete all-rounder the game has ever produced.
According to the former Pakistan opener, Sobers possessed a rare combination of skills that no other player has been able to match.
“He had all three qualities, and he mastered each of them,” Sadiq said. “He was a magnificent batsman, he could bowl genuine fast-medium pace, he was an outstanding left-arm orthodox spinner, and he could also bowl quality left-arm wrist spin—the Chinaman. On top of that, he was an exceptional close-in fielder with incredible flexibility around the bat.”
Sadiq believes that such versatility has never been seen before—or since.
“I don’t think any cricketer has ever possessed so many qualities at such a high standard,” he said. “That is what made Garry Sobers unique.”
Throughout cricket’s long history, many players have excelled in one or two disciplines. Some have been great batters, others exceptional bowlers or brilliant fielders. Sobers, however, redefined the idea of an all-rounder by excelling in every department of the game.
For Sadiq, Sobers’ greatness extended beyond statistics and records. His natural flair, effortless versatility and ability to influence a match in countless ways made him a once-in-a-lifetime cricketer.
As tributes pour in from around the cricketing world, Sadiq’s memories offer a glimpse into the immense respect Sobers commanded among his peers. Sharing the field—and the crease—with such a remarkable player remains one of the proudest moments of his career.
With Sir Garry Sobers’ passing, cricket has lost one of its greatest icons. Yet through the memories of those who played alongside him, his extraordinary legacy will continue to inspire generations.
For Sadiq Mohammad, the memory is simple but unforgettable: the privilege of standing at the non-striker’s end beside the man he considers the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen.
