ISLAMABAD (MNN); Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the history of cricket, passed away on Friday at the age of 89, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the global cricketing fraternity.
Announcing the news on X, Cricket West Indies wrote: “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” alongside a photograph bearing the words “Legend. Icon. Hero.”
Sir Garfield Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, amassing 8,032 runs at an outstanding average of 57.78 while claiming 235 wickets at an average of 34.03, cementing his place among cricket’s all-time greats.
In Wisden’s 1999 poll of 100 cricket experts to select the Five Cricketers of the 20th Century, Sobers received 90 votes, second only to Australian great Sir Donald Bradman, who secured all 100 votes.
Despite Bradman’s unanimous selection, the Australian legend once described Sobers as “the greatest cricketer of all time,” paying tribute to his extraordinary all-round abilities.
Sir Garfield Sobers also etched his name into cricket history by becoming the first player to hit six sixes in a single over, achieving the remarkable feat while playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan bowler Malcolm Nash.
Nottinghamshire Cricket Club paid tribute to their former star, describing him as “cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounder and an iconic figure in the club’s history.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also expressed sorrow over his passing, calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game” and saying he would remain “forever in our hearts.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also mourned his death, describing him as a true icon of world cricket whose remarkable achievements and lasting influence on Caribbean and international cricket would continue to inspire future generations.
The BCCI also shared a video of Sir Garfield Sobers meeting Indian stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and other players during India’s tour of the West Indies in 2024.
Sir Garfield Sobers leaves behind an unmatched legacy of excellence, sportsmanship and brilliance that transformed the game and inspired generations of cricketers across the world.
