Ex-Pakistan fast bowler and captain Waqar Younis, who played with Thorpe for Surrey between 1990 and 1993, said his former team-mate’s death has “left a big hole in my life”.
“Graham Thorpe was everything to me – he was a very close buddy and kind of a family member,” he told the BBC Radio 5 Live Cricket show.
“He was one of the greatest England have produced as a player and, as a friend, he was amazing, an outstanding individual.
“I’ll remember him as my brother.”
Waqar, who took 373 wickets in 87 Tests, said he and Thorpe “really clicked” when they met at Surrey and remained close when facing each other in international matches and during Waqar’s subsequent stints at Glamorgan and Warwickshire.
The 52-year-old was playing for Pakistan during England’s famous victory in the third Test in Karachi in 2000, when Thorpe hit the winning runs in the gloom to secure his side’s first series win in the country since 1962.
“He played like a champion,” said Waqar.
“He was a complete player. In that era he played against quality bowling all around the world and he managed to get runs in all parts of the world.”
Hear more from Waqar Younis on the latest 5 Live Cricket show on BBC Sounds.
