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Ashiq Hussain Qureshi

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Nawab
Ashiq Hussain Qureshi
عاشق حسین قریشی
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association
In office
22 September 2006 – 31 October 2019
Personal details
Born(1949-11-28)28 November 1949
Multan, Pakistan
Died31 October 2019(2019-10-31) (aged 69)
Lahore, Pakistan
Resting placePremises of Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya
Children4
Parent
RelativesLiaqat Hayat Khan (maternal grand father)
Sajjad Hussain Qureshi (paternal uncle)
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (maternal cousin)
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi (maternal uncle)
Shah Mahmood Qureshi (cousin)
Zain Qureshi (nephew)
Zahoor Hussain Qureshi (nephew)
EducationLa Salle Higher Secondary School, Multan
Aitchison College
Pakistan Military Academy
Known forFirst to support Imran Khan in building SKMCH
Founder of Sports for Life
Co-Founder/Board Member of SKMCH
Co-Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Co-Founder of Namal Institute
AwardsChevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite (2018)
Military service
Branch/service Pakistan Army
Years of service1971–72
RankCaptain
Unit5th Horse (Probyn's Horse)
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971
Cricket information
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1984Pakistan Railways
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 5
Batting average –
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 5*
Balls bowled 84
Wickets 1
Bowling average 40.00
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 1/27
Catches/stumpings 0/–
Source: CricketArchive, 26 January 2024

Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi (Urdu: عاشق حسین قریشی; 28 November 1949 — 31 October 2019) was a popular Pakistani cricket administrator, former Captain in the Pakistan Army, first-class cricketer, former First Secretary in the Foreign Service of Pakistan, philanthropist, and Pir. He left the foreign service to set out on his journey of philanthropy returning to Pakistan. He set up a factory of Pepsi Cola and formed The Pepsi Cola Lahore Club cricket team, which emerged victorious in 14 out of 18 national club cricket tournaments spanning the 1980s to the 1990s. In 1983, he joined the Lahore based P&T Gymkhana later becoming its chairman. Under him, the club produced four international umpires including Aleem Dar and first-class cricketer Abdul Razzaq. Ashiq encouraged the youth and veterans to play sports and was known for being a close friend of Imran Khan. Additionally for his contributions and efforts to help Imran Khan with forming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan Foundation, Namal Institute, and being the first to support Imran Khan on building Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, serving as a member of the hospitals Board of Governors since its inception until his death, and establishing Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association across Pakistan becoming its Vice President and later Chief Executive Officer. Ashiq is further known for being the first to hug Imran Khan after Pakistan won the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Ashiqs nephew writes that Ashiqs home was littered with trophies from across the country to the extent that his aunt Farzana used some as flower pots.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

His name is commemorated in a cricket championship known as the Bahawalpur Division Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi Inter District CCA Challenge Trophy 2021-22. On 21 September 2022, the Pakistan Cricket Board in collaboration with the Southern Punjab cricket team (Pakistan) unveiled the Nawab Ashiq Hussain Trophy 2021-22.[9][10]

Early life and education

[edit]

Qureshi was born on 28 November 1949 to his father Sadiq Hussain Qureshi and mother Begum Haseen Bano Qureshi, a landed gentry family. His mother's side belongs to the Pataudi family.[11] His maternal grand mother Begum Abida Sultana was the sister of Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi. His mother was the daughter of Nawab Liaqat Hayat Khan of Wah. His father Sadiq Hussain Qureshi named him after his father Unionist Party (Punjab) President Nawab Major Ashiq Hussain Qureshi.[12] His cousin Shah Mahmood Qureshi is the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Ashiq was one of the three sons of Sadiq Hussain Qureshi.[13] He was educated at La Salle Higher Secondary School, Multan and Aitchison College where he was a classmate of Imran Khan.[14][15] He was interested in cricket from an early age and was a member of Pakistan Under-19 cricket team.[16][17][11][18]

Personal life

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Ashiq and his wife Farzana have four daughters Mahnaz, Mehreen, Sadaf, and Nida.[11]

Military career

[edit]
Ashiq (middle) with his colleagues undergoing training at PMA Kakul (1970)

Ashiq was commissioned into the 5th Horse (Probyn's Horse) of the Pakistan Army after graduating from the 45th course of the Pakistan Military Academy in August 1971.[19][20]

Diplomatic career

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Ashiq retired as a Captain in the Pakistan Army, opting for a career in the Foreign Service of Pakistan as a diplomat. Ashiq relinquished charge of the role of second secretary junior grade at the Pakistani embassy in London on 3 February 1978. Following his resignation, he took 26 days of earned leave, beginning on 6 February 1978. Permission was granted for him to include weekends in his leave, specifically on February 4-5 and March 4-5, 1978.[5]

Following his return to Pakistan in 1978, he focused on utilizing cricket for societal transformation, establishing the P&T Gymkhana cricket club in Lahore.[17] Under him, the club produced four international umpires including Aleem Dar and first-class cricketer Abdul Razzaq.

For a decade, Ashiq held the position of France's Honorary consul general in Lahore for which he received the French honor Ordre national du Mérite in 2018.[21][22][23][24]

Cricket career

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Ashiq was a national U-19 cricketer and met Imran Khan when they were both studying at Aitchison College. They were then selected for the Combined Lahore and Multan Schools team at Sahiwal against the touring team of Middlesex and Surrey schools.[17][11][25]

Ashiq made his first-class cricket debut with Pakistan Railways against United Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match held from 11-14 May 1984. He batted 5 not out in the second innings of Pakistan Railways and dismissed Mansoor Akhtar with an lbw in the second innings of UBL.[26]

Ashiq played in the National T20 Veterans cricket cup for the Lahore Lions against Islamabad Panthers in 2009 where he won the toss as skipper.[27]

Beyond cricket, Qureshi was an athlete, holding multiple records at various levels. He was also an active philanthropist, contributing significantly to the establishment and functioning of Imran Khan's Shaukat Khanum Hospital, and heading Imran Khan Foundation which set up a college working with the University of Bradford to sponsor underprivileged students and providing relief to thousands affected by disasters across the country since 2000.[17]

In his later years, Qureshi played a pivotal role in the establishment of veterans cricket in Pakistan, leading the over 50's side to the World Cup final. He is also remembered for his iconic photograph being the first to greet captain Imran Khan after Pakistan's 1992 Cricket World Cup victory in Melbourne.[17]

Cricket executive

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Ashiq briefly worked in the Pakistan Cricket Board as the Director Grass Root Cricket Development in 1999.[17]

Ashiq was Vice President of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association in 2001 becoming its Chief Executive Officer on 22 September 2006 until his death.[28][29][30][31]

Ashiq was the manager of the Pakistan Super Veterans (Over 60) cricket team touring England in June 2019.[32][33]

Five days before his death, he attended the inauguration of the FBR-Railways Veterans Cricket Championship at Railway Stadium.[34]

Death, reactions and funeral

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At ten o'clock in the evening on 31 October 2019, Ashiq was rushed to the hospital after he felt pain in his chest and passed away on the way there. Ashiq's funeral was held at the race course park of Lahore which was attended by his family including his cousin Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, government officials, and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ehsan Mani.[35]

Ashiqs body was flown to Multan where he was buried at the premises of the Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya.[36][37]

Prime Minister Imran Khan offered condolences to the family of Ashiq, "devastated by the death of one of my oldest friends Ashiq Qureshi last night. He was always there during my many setbacks in life. Was the first to stand by me when I decided to build SKMT & was a PTI founder member. Above all, he will be missed as a gentleman & great human being".[38]

Aitchison College Principal Michael Thomson released a letter to the media, "Our dear Ashiq, You have left us far too early. Your enthusiasm and positive approach to life was our encouragement. Dear friend, when we opened the new Jafar Memorial Ground, it was as you envisaged, but minus the joy of seeing your face and listening to your prophetic words. It was you who led the way and you who filled us with the resolve to take on all challenges regardless of obstacles. Now, we pray for your everlasting peace and question not the Almighty who needs you more than us, but that we miss you desperately. Dear Ashiq, rest in peace until we meet again. Great servant of youth and Aitchison College, and your nation."[39]

Awards and decorations

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Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

1971 War Clasp

Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War

(War Star 1971)

Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War

(War Medal 1971)

Ordre national du Mérite

(National Order of Merit)

Knight (Chevalier)

Foreign Honours

[edit]
Foreign honours
 France National Order of Merit
(Knight)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Great Britain. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1973). The London Diplomatic List. H.M. Stationery. p. 55.
  2. ^ "Founding member of the PTI, Ashiq Qureshi passes away". The Current. 1 November 2019.
  3. ^ Lawrence Booth (2020). The Shorter Wisden 2020. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4729-7638-3.
  4. ^ "BOARD OF GOVERNORS". www.shaukatkhanum.org.pk. Archived from the original on 2012-01-03.
  5. ^ a b Pakistan (1978). The Gazette of Pakistan (1978). p. 243.
  6. ^ Pakistan National Assembly (7 July 1976). Parliamentary Debates. Official Report.
  7. ^ "Veterans Cricket on the rise in Pakistan". ESPNcricinfo. 15 January 2001.
  8. ^ "Sports make Jack a bright boy". The News. 7 February 2010.
  9. ^ "Bahawalpur Division Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi Inter District CCA challenge Trophy 2021-22". crichq.
  10. ^ "Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi Inter District CCA challenge Trophy 2021-22 Southern Punjab Winter Club Divisional Semi Finals". www.crichq.com.
  11. ^ a b c d "Ashiq Qureshi An Aristocrat With a Heart of Gold". Cricket world. 2019.
  12. ^ The Punjab Parliamenterians 1897-2013
  13. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (November 2, 2019). "PVCA's Ashiq Qureshi is no more". Dawn.
  14. ^ "Adios my friend Naeem Ul Haque". Daily Times. 2019.
  15. ^ "Last Of The Giants: Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi". The Friday Times. 31 October 2022.
  16. ^ "PVCA's CEO Ashiq Qureshi dies". The News International.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Nawab Ashiq Hussain Qureshi". The Cricketer.
  18. ^ Biographical Encyclopedia of Pakistan. 1972. p. 612.
  19. ^ "Adulthood And Soldiering: Mess Life and Clouds Of War". 4 January 2024.
  20. ^ Pakistan National Assembly (1976). Parliamentary Debates Official Report. Manager of Publications.
  21. ^ "French envoy calls on chief minister Punjab". brecorder. 23 March 2010.
  22. ^ France in Pakistan [@FranceinPak] (2019-10-31). "We are saddened by the news that Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, former Honorary Consul of France in Lahore, has passed away. He was a very respected gentleman and was awarded the Ordre National du Mérite last year. Sincere condolences to his family" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Fete Nationale & French National Day celebrated". The Free Library. 12 July 2008.
  24. ^ "PU meeting to promote sports on campus". University of the Punjab. 17 May 2013.
  25. ^ "Ashiq Hussain playercard". Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 2015-11-05.
  26. ^ "Railways v United Bank Limited". Cricket Archive. Archived from the original on 2016-04-03.
  27. ^ "Lahore Lions in final". Dawn. 22 November 2009.
  28. ^ "Veterans Cricket on the rise in Pakistan". cricinfopakistan. 15 January 2001.
  29. ^ "PSCB polls". Dawn. 23 September 2006.
  30. ^ "Lahore Whites rout Pindi to retain regional title". The Nation. 16 April 2010.
  31. ^ "Lahore Whites retain Seniors Cricket title". brecorder. 16 April 2010.
  32. ^ "Fawad to lead Pakistan Super Veterans team in England". Dawn. 15 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Fawad Ijaz Khan to lead Pakistan Super Veterans in England". 14 June 2019.
  34. ^ "FBR-Railways Veterans Cricket begins". The News. 27 October 2019.
  35. ^ "A Beffiting Funeral for Ashiq Hussain Qureshi". Pak Observer.
  36. ^ "Foreign minister's cousin passes away". The Nation. 3 November 2019.
  37. ^ "Namaza-e-Janaza of Nawab Ashiq Qureshi held in Lahore". Associated Press of Pakistan. 2 November 2019.
  38. ^ "Tribute to a sports ashiq". The News. 10 November 2019.
  39. ^ "Mr. Ashiq Hussain Qureshi passes away". Aitchison College.
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