David Lloyd chooses Abdul Qadir over Anil Kumble in all-time top three spinners

Cricket legend David Lloyd has placed Pakistan’s Abdul Qadir above India’s Anil Kumble in his list of the all-time greatest spinners. 

Lloyd, a former England cricketer and coach, ranked Qadir as the third-best spinner in cricket history, behind Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Lloyd praised Qadir for his unique and artistic leg-spin, which he believes played a key role in reviving the art of leg-spin bowling during the 1970s when it was on the decline. He highlighted Qadir’s ability to deliver six different types of balls in a single over, including the flipper, top-spinner, and various googlies, making him a standout bowler of his time.

Speaking to a sports website, Lloyd said, “As an absolute artist, Pakistan's Abdul Qadir was a beautiful bowler. All rhythm, all rhythmical action. And he was bowling when his wrist spin was pretty much dead. So, he is third on my list after Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.”

When asked why he ranked Qadir ahead of Kumble, Lloyd explained that while Kumble’s stats are more impressive, with 619 Test wickets compared to Qadir’s 236, the Pakistani spinner’s mysterious and aesthetic style set him apart. He acknowledged Kumble’s powerful and straightforward approach, characterized by pace and bounce, but noted that it lacked the loop and deception that are hallmarks of classic leg-spin.

“Anil Kumble, quick, tall. A lot of arms, didn't he? And big levers and checking it into the right hander mainly at pace. So, it wasn't a bowler that you'd think that Battis, I can get down the pitch because he's got a loop on it. No, he didn't have a loop, which is coming so high. He's driving it into the pitch," he further added.

Lloyd also cautioned against comparing India’s R Ashwin with Kumble, emphasizing that Ashwin is already one of the all-time greats in spin bowling, with over 500 Test wickets to his name.