Draft:Haji Muhammad Bashir

Haji Muhammad Bashir (16 December 1940 – 18 November 2020) was a Pakistani cricket groundman.

Early life
Born in December 1940 in Tehaiet, Punjab, in what was then British India (now part of Green Town, Lahore), Bashir was the child of Mian Siraj Din, an employee of the Railways. He commenced his career at Lahore Stadium as a gardener on 1 November 1959, and advanced to the role of assistant groundman. His career initiation coincided with the venue's first Test match.

Career
Bashir was involved in the development of multiple cricket venues throughout Pakistan including Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. His tenure was continued until his retirement in 2016.

After Pakistan's loss in a Test series to England, there was contemplation within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about introducing a foreign curator to prepare pitches in Pakistan, reflecting the scrutiny and expectations placed on groundskeeping staff, including Bashir.

Bashir also worked at international venues, notably in the development of cricket grounds in the UAE, Bangladesh, and Morocco.

Criticism
Bashir encountered criticism regarding pitch preparation, notably during matches against India and a one-day series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The critiques often focused on the pitches being flat and not favoring the home team's playing style. This led to the dissatisfaction of the PCB. Commentators and former players highlighted these pitches' unsuitability for certain matches.

Post-retirement
Following his retirement in 1991, Bashir occasionally continued his involvement in groundskeeping on a contractual basis with Pakistan Cricket Board and Lahore Qalandars, indicating his continued relevance to Pakistani cricket.

Personal life and death
In his later years, Bashir was working on the reconstruction of a local mosque. He was married and had two sons, three daughters, and nineteen grandchildren. His elder son, Mohammad Ashraf, has also worked in the field of cricket groundskeeping.

Bashir died on 18 November 2020, and was mourned by the cricket community. Notable figures, including Ali Anwar Jafri, Majid Khan, and Agha Zahid, acknowledged his dedication to and impact on cricket in Pakistan.

Prominent cricket figures such as Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Akhtar, and Kamran Akmal expressed their condolences.