Karachi: Pakistan’s cricket fraternity offered their condolences over the sad demise of legendary comedian Umer Sharif He passed away in Germany on Saturday after battling serious health problems at the age of 66.

Umer was termed as ‘the King of Comedy’ in Pakistan and also across the border in India. He passed away after his health deteriorated further during treatment at a hospital in Germany.

He had been admitted to a hospital in Germany’s Nuremberg on Wednesday after his health condition deteriorated during his flight to the United States. He was shifted to the hospital after the air ambulance carrying Umer Sharif made a scheduled landing in Germany.

Former captain and current Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Wasim Akram, and many others mourned over Umer’s death and recalled his memories which made everyone laugh.

Talking about Umer’s career, he started from Karachi in 1974 as a stage performer at the age of 14 He joined theatre, using the stage name Umer Zarif but later renamed that to Umer Sharif. Some of his extremely popular comedy stage plays were 1989’s Bakra Qistoon Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Ha.

Sharif became a very popular star during this period. Much of the success came from the fact that he started to record his stage shows and his videotapes were rented out in a similar manner to movies.

Sharif received National awards for Best Director and Best Actor in 1992 for Mr. 420. He received ten Nigar Awards. Sharif was the only actor to receive four Nigar Awards in a single year. He received three Graduate Awards. Sharif is also a recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.