Burlin Saheed

Burlin Saheed
Full name: Burlin Saheed
Born: 03 Jan 1942, Port Mourant, Berbice, Guyana
Died: 15 Apr 2009
Batting: Right-hand batsman
Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox
Teams: Guyana (FC: 1966); Berbice (FC: 1971-1972); All teams
Club: Port Mourant (Berbice)
Lists of matches and more detailed statistics

Burlin Saheed made his first class debut in 1966, for Guyana against the Combined Islands in St Kitts. He performed creditably, but was unable to displace his main competitor, Rex Collymore, for a place in the team as an orthodox left-arm spinner. He later played two more first class matches, in 1971 and 1972, for Berbice, but with very little success.

Nicknamed "little magician" while playing for Port Mourant, Saheed emigrated to the USA, where he continued playing cricket in the Commonwealth League, almost to his last days. He was said to be quiet, unassuming and always ready to share his knowledge and experience.

CRICKET lovers everywhere celebrated the life and rued the passing of Berlin Saheed, as he was laid to rest on Friday, April 17th, at Osceola Memorial Gardens, Kissimmee, Florida. Uncle Berlin, as we called him, played the game for many years, representing Albion, Port Mourant, Berbice County and Guyana. Family and friends were overwhelming in his praise. I noted his grandsons were so grief-striken that they struggled with the words to wish him good journey.

It is with some irony that his final “stint” in cricket was as an umpire for the Florida Softball Cricket Association (FSCA), where he earned the respect and admiration of all the members. This is somewhat ironic because he was a “hardball” player.

Hackim (Tom) Bacchus (President) and Rafik Khan (Head of umpires) sent him off in style with a bat arch.

I knew him myself in 1969-70 when he first took on caretaker responsibilities at Port Mourant Community Centre. Only nine years old, I observed first hand his good nature and even temperament.

Berlin Saheed, a good son of whom Guyana can be proud.
DANIEL DHANRAJ
Orlando.