For elevating hockey from being a mere sport to an artistic endeavor
For making every defence look like Swiss cheese
For being our very own Hassan Sardar
For those deft dribbling skills that were always magical like an Eric Clapton solo
For those feeder passes that zipped out of your stick with geometric precision
For evoking awe amongst players, coaches and fans alike
For not forgetting your humble Varanasi beginnings even after you became a giant in the field
For every unforgettable run on the inside flank with Zafar Iqbal, dodging multiple defenders
For telling Zafar Iqbal last week that you will dodge through your disease as well
For looking at death on its face and yelling that John Donne line – Death be not proud!
For standing aloft as the greatest player, genius and human nonpareil to have played this sport in my lifetime
For being the one and only Mohammed Shahid – Rest in Peace, sir
