Abu Fuard’s off-breaks made him a top spinner

Former Sri Lanka cricket player and administrator, Abu Fuard passed away yesterday. Regarded as was one of Asia's best offspinners, Fuard was 75-years-old when he passed away. He was known to be a brilliant all-rounder, opening the batting for Wesley College, Moors SC, Colts and CCC.

He represented Ceylon during a first-class career that spanned from 1956 to 1970. His off-breaks made him one of the top spinners produced during the early era. He played 19 first-class matches and claimed 51 wickets with career best figure of 6 for 31. As a batsman Fuard had scored 406 first-class runs in 32 innings. Fuard was well known as an efficient cricket administrator of Sri Lanka but during the recent years he was confined to his residence in Colombo due to his ailing health condition.

He played for Wesley from 1951-54 and for Ceylon from 1956 to 1971 before turning out as a cricket administration in 1973. Fuard then continued his love with cricket as coach, manager, national selector and curator. He headed the national selection committee at thrice occasions. He was manager cum coach of the Sri Lanka team that debuted the international stage in the 1975 World Cup. He also was the assistant manager of the 1979 team which finished fourth, beating India. Fuard was instrumental in convincing former BCCSL chairman Gamini Dissanayake, a UNP MP and a lawyer, to become its head. Dissanayake later helped Sri Lanka gain Test status in 1981 which gave Fuard an immense task of turning the Asgiriya cricket ground into an international cricket stadium. During the period of construction Fuard fell sick and later it was diagnosed as a kidney failure. He underwent two surgeries.

Just before he passed away he had difficulty in breathing. His janaza will take place at the Kuppiyawatte Muslin Burial Grounds at 9 am today.