He quickly made a name for his grace and easy power, particularly when driving the ball, and demonstrated instantly that he belonged at the highest level, finishing his career with a batting average of 40.01, almost identical to that of his first class average of 40.02. He later scored his first of five Test hundreds - 150 - in Georgetown against an attack that included Roy Gilchrist, Lance Gibbs and Garry Sobers, though West Indies won that Test by eight wickets. A quirk of his career was Pakistan never won a Test he scored a hundred in, though playing in the least prolific period of Pakistan's Test history might also explain that.

"The PCB is saddened over the demise of one of our former Test captain and expresses deep condolences to the family of Saeed Ahmed," PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said. "He served Pakistan with all his heart and the PCB honours his record and services for the Test team."

After retirement, Saeed stepped away from cricket, never working in the sport again. He lived by himself in Lahore for several years, living a reclusive life with few friends or family for company, while his deteriorating health required repeated hospital visits. He was taken to hospital at noon on Wednesday, and died there shortly after.

He is survived by two sons, a daughter, and half-brother Younis Ahmed, who played four Tests for Pakistan.