Aamer Bashir

Aamer Bashir was a prolific middle-order batsman through the 1990s and 2000s, making a name for himself initially with Multan, United Bank Limited and Pakistan Customs. He was, according to domestic team-mates, a man for a crisis, regularly bailing out sides with faltering top orders. He was as adept at stemming a collapse as launching a counter and his limited overs record - he averaged just under 40 in 50-over games - is testament to his attacking instincts.

He was good enough to be on the fringes of Pakistan selection for a sustained period in the earlier part of the decade; Pakistan's middle-order strength was such, however, that the closest he got was being selected in Pakistan's squad for the one-off ODI against India in Kolkata in November 2005.

But deteriorating health steadily brought him down. He played his last first-class game in February 2009 although he continued playing league cricket in England. His best days were, however, gone and he was clearly ill. He was a popular team-man and over the years friends such as Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif and Basit Ali - all current or former Pakistan internationals - worked hard to ensure he received proper medical treatment.
Cricinfo staff