KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian cricket community is in mourning today following the passing of a beloved cricketing icon, Datuk Dr Alex Delilkan, who died at midnight aged 90.
The news of his passing was confirmed to Scoop by Malaysian Cricket Association president Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali, who expressed profound sorrow over the loss.
“Sad news indeed, a cricketer, an academic and a true gentleman,” Iqbal said when contacted.
“He achieved the pinnacle in cricket as he captained the national team for many years and long after his playing days he retired as an emeritus professor with Universiti Malaya.
“Malaysian cricket has lost a rare legend. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. May his soul find eternal peace.”
Born in Singapore in 1934, Dr Delilkan was a prominent figure in Malaysian cricket from 1955 to 1972, captaining the national team from 1959 to 1972.
Renowned for his fearless batting and captivating bowling style, he left an indelible mark on the sport.
His affinity for the sport was inherited from his father, an avid cricket enthusiast from Sri Lanka, fostering a lifelong passion that saw him achieve numerous milestones.
Notably, he was the sole Malaysian invited to join the International Cavaliers, an ad hoc team of prominent cricketers, in the United Kingdom in 1967.
Beyond his cricketing prowess, Dr Delilkan was a distinguished consultant anaesthesiologist specialising in critical care, with a notable scholarly contribution encompassing 17 published books on healthcare and cricket.
Throughout his illustrious career, he championed discussions on medical ethics, anaesthesiology, critical care, trauma, medico-legal ethics and issues surrounding brain death.
Among his notable achievements, Dr Delilkan led the anaesthetic teams for Malaysia’s groundbreaking medical procedures, including the successful separation of conjoined twins in 1981 and the delivery of quintuplets in 1996.
His legacy extends far beyond the cricket field, leaving an enduring impact on both the sporting and medical communities alike.
He leaves behind his wife, Prabha, and four children. – February 20, 2024