Former Pakistan cricket team batsmen Akhtar Sarfraz just lost his fight against cancer. He passed away on Monday, 10th June 2019 at the age of 43. Akhtar was suffering from colon cancer and was being treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial cancer hospital in Peshawar. He is laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Tormang village, Khal, Dir Upper.

Akhtar scored 5,720 in 118 first-class innings and 2,636 runs in 98 List A matches. He made his ODI debut on December 12, 1997, under the captaincy of Wasim Akram against the West Indies in the Akai-Singer Champions Trophy at Sharjah and represented Pakistan in 4 ODIs where he scored 66 runs. He last played a cricket match in January 2007. Moreover, Akhtar served as regional coach and selector of Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team.

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mr Ehsan Mani was really upset to hear the tragic news. He said, “The PCB is shocked to hear the sad news of Akhtar's passing. It is very difficult to accept and comprehend if you lose someone from the cricket fraternity, particularly as young and lively as Akhtar who was admired, respected and loved by everyone. It's tragic that death cut short his life at such a young age, but he will live in our memories for a very long period. On behalf of the PCB, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Akhtar's family and assure them that in these difficult times, we stand firmly with them.”

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Kamran Akmal took to Twitter and prayed for the forgiveness of the departed soul.

So did Haroon Shahid.

We at the HIP are deeply saddened to hear this news and we pray that Allah Almighty bless Akhtar with Jannah!