Kafiluddin Ahmad
| Kafiluddin Ahmad | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 November 1913 Mymensingh, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| 28 November 1985 (aged 72)28 November 1985 (aged 72) | |
| 💼 Occupation | Civil engineer, cricket administrator, cricket patron |
| Known for | Designing and overseeing the construction of the National Stadium, Karachi |
Kafiluddin Ahmad (13 November 1913 – 28 November 1985) was a Pakistani civil engineer, cricket administrator and patron of sport. He was known for designing and overseeing the construction of the National Stadium, Karachi, which was completed in just over three months in time for the fifth and final Test between Pakistan and India in 1955. He also served as honorary treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan and played a role in supporting and employing cricketers through the Pakistan Public Works Department.[1][2]
Born in Mymensingh in East Bengal in British India, Ahmad graduated as a civil engineer from Calcutta University in 1937 and subsequently qualified for the Indian Engineering Service. During the Second World War, he was posted in Bushehr, Bahrain and Dubai. After the partition of India, he served for three years in Dhaka as an executive engineer in the Pakistan Public Works Department, where he was instrumental in founding the Institution of Engineers Pakistan and served as its first secretary.[1][2]
In 1950, Ahmad was transferred to Karachi as Superintending Engineer, Administration Circle, Pakistan Public Works Department, with responsibility for the development of the federal capital. In Karachi he became a major patron of cricket. At his government residence on Bunder Road, he set up covered practice nets that were used by Karachi-based cricketers of the day, including Hanif Mohammad, Wazir Mohammad, Waqar Hasan, Alimuddin and Ikram Elahi. Through the Pakistan Public Works Department, he also arranged employment for cricketers.[1][2]
In late 1954, with Karachi due to host the final Test of India's inaugural tour of Pakistan, Ahmad proposed that a new purpose-built cricket stadium be constructed because the Karachi Gymkhana ground was too small for the expected crowd. After receiving approval from the city's chief commissioner, A. T. Naqvi, he supervised the development of the new ground on Dalmia Cement Road. The first phase of the stadium was completed in just over three months, allowing the National Stadium, Karachi to host the fifth Test of the series in February 1955.[1][2][3]
Ahmad also served as a vice-president of the Karachi Cricket Association and was honorary treasurer and a member of the executive committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan between 1954 and 1957.[1] He was closely associated with the Pakistan Public Works Department cricket team and with the summer coaching camps held at the National Stadium from 1957 onward.[1][2]
In 1963, Ahmad was posted to East Pakistan, where he sought to promote cricket by bringing Karachi-based cricketers, Nasim-ul-Ghani, Rehman Ali, Mufassir-ul-Haq, to help strengthen the local Pakistan Public Works Department side and support the development of local cricketers.[1][2]
He died on 28 November 1985 after suffering a heart attack on a tennis court shortly after playing two sets with friends.[1] In February 2021, the Pakistan Cricket Board unveiled a plaque at the National Stadium to honour his role in designing and constructing the venue.[3][4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Salim Parvez (28 February 2021). "Kafiluddin Ahmad - The Miracle Man". Cricket World. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Salman Faridi (9 July 2023). "The Icon Builders: The men behind Pakistan's two most famous cricket grounds". The News on Sunday. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "PCB honours engineer who designed NSK". The News International. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ "چیئرمین پی سی بی کا نیشنل اسٹیڈیم کے مرحوم انجینئر کو خراج عقیدت". ARY News Urdu (in اردو). 26 February 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
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