Pakistan's legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir saluted Shane Warne on Friday, hailing the Australian as a "diamond" who left an indelible impression on the game with his exemplary skill. "I found Shane a great human being and a great cricketer. I use the word great for only a few players, like I can use it for Tendulkar and Warne," Qadir told AFP. "For me Warne was a diamond for his exemplary skills."
Qadir, himself revered as a great spinner during the 70s and 80s, said Warne was an inspiration for youngsters in Australia and everywhere the game is played, and wished him a "happy and successful life" in the future. The end of Warne's glittering career, he said: "leaves me sad because in his bowling I used to see myself, the great art of spin and everything a cricketer or a cricket lover can cherish."
Qadir, who took 236 Tests and 132 one-day wickets during his career, remembered meeting Warne at his home in the eastern city of Lahore in 1994. Another Pakistan leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria - who is trying to gain clearance to play for the national side after becoming embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal in Britain - also hailed Warne.
"Warne was a great leg spinner. I respected him as a cricketer and whenever I had some problems in my bowling I asked him for help and he never refused," said Kaneria. The last time the pair met was in England, Kaneria recalled, adding that Warne spent an hour giving him tips in the nets at Edgbaston which "helped me raise my confidence".