When it comes to India – Pakistan matches, nothing can be more ecstatic and perhaps even more patriotic than to see Tendulkar & Sehwag clobber the Pakistani bowlers. But as diehard cricket lover, I must confess my liking for other teams including Pakistan. In the current team, I enjoy watching Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohd Ameer and Imran Nazir.
Come to think of, there is a certain amount of artistry and romance associated with people from across the border. The haunting ghazals of Faraz Ahmed brought to life by the mellifluous singing of Mehdi Hassan, the soulful music of Ghulam Ali, the incisive plays authored by Hasan Manto and even the electrifying Sufi music of Strings are an experience in itself. When it comes to individual triumph, Pakistan has always been a favourite at Squash.
India’s strength lies in batting while Pakistan relies on their fast bowlers. However both these neighbours have many things in common. When it comes to cricket and hockey, both India & Pakistan continue to remain unpredictable. Pakistan is troubled by feudalism and we are bogged down with casetism. Both have produced great sportsmen including cricketers and yet their teams continue to display inconsistency. And despite being world champions, both these countries are desperately struggling to resurrect their national game - Hockey!
Run Machine
My admiration for Pakistan team began way back in 1978, when as a 7 year old child, I saw a long haired bespectacled man with a coloured head band and white handkerchief around his neck, mercilessly clobbering our bowlers around the park. That day he remained not out and scored a magnificent 235. In the earlier test, this same man had scored 176 in the first innings and was on his way to score another blistering century in the second innings, but fell prey to a rather innocuous delivery. The score board read Batsman No 4 - Zaheer Abbas, 96 runs, caught Chetan Chauhan bowled Sunil Gavaskar and the match ended in a dull draw!
Zaheer may have missed scoring a century in each innings of a test, but he has an enviable record of scoring a double century and century in a match on four occasions. In those days, Pakistani umpires were known for their notorious decision making. The decisions were often biased and LBW did not exist in their lexicon but that shouldn’t belittle the accomplishments of some of their players including Zaheer.
In 1978, the stylist Majid Khan didn’t play and Mustaq Mohammad was called to captain the side. Along with Zaheer, the team had talented Asif Iqbal, Imran Khan, Wasim Bari, Javed Miandad, Iqbal Qasim, and Sarfaraz Nawaz. The allrounder Mudassar Nazar and his opening partner Moshin Khan were able to see off the new ball and establish good partnership.
While, the 1989 series saw the emergence of Tendulkar and Waqar, the 1978- 79 series brought to fore the amazing talent of Javed, and also introduced the world to Haryana Hurricane- Kapil Dev. India had Ghavri and Kapil but Pakistan’s bowling line up of Imran Khan and Sikhander Bakht was equally ferocious. This series also ended the golden era of our great spinners.
Crafty Accumulator
Javed Miandad with ruffled hair, big eyes, strong forearms, thick moustache and a devilish smile reminded you of those goons from Punjabi flicks. You will rarely associate elegance and style with Javed. But Javed compensates it, with his thinking and astute knowledge of the game. Moreover he has been abundantly blessed with courage, confidence, temperament, skills, talent and innovation. Javed was a fantastic fielder and a master of batting improvisations.
Often bowlers provoke and sledged at batsmen and Javed would wait for such an opportunity. As soon as any bowler provoked Javed, the next moment his bat would retaliate and the ball would be seen behind the ropes. He wouldn’t stop there. Javed was incorrigible and with his presence of mind and tenacity would aptly respond with verbal volleys. Perhaps this is how he motivated himself and till his last test, he continued to provoke and unsettle the bowlers around the world. Standing at short leg or silly point, he would incessantly chatter and play mind games with the opposition. In 1978 Javed scored two brilliant centuries and with Asif Iqbal scampered for singles and clinched the test match and series for Pakistan.
Swiftest Gentleman
Asif Iqbal was stylish and a finest diplomat and advocate of the game. Perhaps Asif was the real finisher at No 6, and excelled in all departments. His bowling was accurate, and his athleticism and fielding very sharp. However it was his batting that saved several tests and won him many accolades. While Asif played a stellar role in 78 series against India in Pakistan, the next year on tour to India, his batting faltered. Under his captaincy Pakistan lost the 1979 series in India.
Cricket is a metaphor of life. Ironically in his final test, the fastest and swiftest runner between the wickets was run out at Eden Gardens. The entire stadium of 80,000 spectators gave Asif a deserving standing ovation. Since 1996 the crowd at Eden Gardens has changed, however it was befitting to see Pakistan team receiving a standing ovation at Chepauk, where barely 18 minutes ago, the colossal Tendulkar stood like Rock of Gibraltar, playing a valiant knock despite excruciating back strain. To my mind, that knock deserves a place along with G.R. Viswanath’s 97 at Chepauk and Laxman’s 281 at Eden Gardens.
The Debonair
The long haired, Oxford educated, debonair Imran had a wonderful physique that any fast bowler would aspire. His Pathan inheritance had blessed him with good height, muscular shoulders, strong wrist, and till date he continues to be an eye candy of every woman. Behind Jeff Thomson and Holding, Imran became the third best fast bowler in the world and had a beautiful run up and a unique bowling style. The final leap and the release of ball, barely before his feet had firmly landed in the crease, were worth watching and many of us still find it difficult to emulate.
In years to come Imran went on to win the world cup in 92, create many records; became a successful captain and was among the top all rounders in the world. Pakistan had several fast bowlers, but it was Imran who inspired everybody in the country to take up the art of fast bowling. Soon you had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed who in turn carried the legacy left by Imran and encouraged Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammed Sami, Mohammed Asif and now Mohammed Ameer to bowl pace. Imran’s contribution to Pakistan cricket is phenomenal. He has an eye for talent and gave opportunities to several young talents like Abdul Qadir, Salim Malik, Moin Khan, Rameez Raja, Amir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Inzammam, Saqlain Mustaq, and Afridi in the team.
Left Arm of God
Perhaps no other left hand pace bowler has received such adulation and respect. Akram was thin, lanky, a good hitter and a master of disguise. Wasim Akram with an unorthodox run up and short leap was quick and unplayable on any wicket. Akram ran carrying the ball in his right hand making it difficult for the batsmen and even to the non striker to determine the shiny surface. In no time Akram would reached the bowling crease and before he got into his final delivery stride, the ball had changed hands and sat nonchalantly between his magic fingers.
In a jiffy the ball would have a life of its own. The ball would fly with great speed, seam and often swing and obey his master’s commands. Who can forget his phenomenal spell against England in 92 world cup, getting Alan Lamb and Chris Lewis in quick succession? Wasim had that innate ability to vary his pace and move the ball either ways. Many prolific batsmen including Robin Smith have lost their balance to his toe crushing yorkers.
Peter Roebuck rightly states that “Cricketers like Wasim are not to be judged merely in terms of figures. He has a remarkable record, but that is not the point. No one doubts that Wasim was a great cricketer. Rather, he is to be judged by his contribution to the game, as a match winner and a man who proved that bowling could be as entertaining as batting.” Little wonder then, why the cricketing world considers Wasim as ‘The Left Arm of God!’
Master of Reverse Swing
Waqar and Tendulkar made their debut in the same Test match. Waqar took 4 wickets in the drawn match including wickets of Kapil Dev and Sachin. Waqar was athletic, muscular, and stylish and bowled amazing in-swingers and out-swinger. He also had a good in swinging yorkers but it was his leg cutter that would unfailingly find the gap between the bat and pad. The ability to reverse swing and his explosive speed made him as one of the feared bowlers in modern cricket.
Come to think of, there is a certain amount of artistry and romance associated with people from across the border. The haunting ghazals of Faraz Ahmed brought to life by the mellifluous singing of Mehdi Hassan, the soulful music of Ghulam Ali, the incisive plays authored by Hasan Manto and even the electrifying Sufi music of Strings are an experience in itself. When it comes to individual triumph, Pakistan has always been a favourite at Squash.
India’s strength lies in batting while Pakistan relies on their fast bowlers. However both these neighbours have many things in common. When it comes to cricket and hockey, both India & Pakistan continue to remain unpredictable. Pakistan is troubled by feudalism and we are bogged down with casetism. Both have produced great sportsmen including cricketers and yet their teams continue to display inconsistency. And despite being world champions, both these countries are desperately struggling to resurrect their national game - Hockey!
Run Machine
My admiration for Pakistan team began way back in 1978, when as a 7 year old child, I saw a long haired bespectacled man with a coloured head band and white handkerchief around his neck, mercilessly clobbering our bowlers around the park. That day he remained not out and scored a magnificent 235. In the earlier test, this same man had scored 176 in the first innings and was on his way to score another blistering century in the second innings, but fell prey to a rather innocuous delivery. The score board read Batsman No 4 - Zaheer Abbas, 96 runs, caught Chetan Chauhan bowled Sunil Gavaskar and the match ended in a dull draw!
Zaheer may have missed scoring a century in each innings of a test, but he has an enviable record of scoring a double century and century in a match on four occasions. In those days, Pakistani umpires were known for their notorious decision making. The decisions were often biased and LBW did not exist in their lexicon but that shouldn’t belittle the accomplishments of some of their players including Zaheer.
In 1978, the stylist Majid Khan didn’t play and Mustaq Mohammad was called to captain the side. Along with Zaheer, the team had talented Asif Iqbal, Imran Khan, Wasim Bari, Javed Miandad, Iqbal Qasim, and Sarfaraz Nawaz. The allrounder Mudassar Nazar and his opening partner Moshin Khan were able to see off the new ball and establish good partnership.
While, the 1989 series saw the emergence of Tendulkar and Waqar, the 1978- 79 series brought to fore the amazing talent of Javed, and also introduced the world to Haryana Hurricane- Kapil Dev. India had Ghavri and Kapil but Pakistan’s bowling line up of Imran Khan and Sikhander Bakht was equally ferocious. This series also ended the golden era of our great spinners.
Crafty Accumulator
Javed Miandad with ruffled hair, big eyes, strong forearms, thick moustache and a devilish smile reminded you of those goons from Punjabi flicks. You will rarely associate elegance and style with Javed. But Javed compensates it, with his thinking and astute knowledge of the game. Moreover he has been abundantly blessed with courage, confidence, temperament, skills, talent and innovation. Javed was a fantastic fielder and a master of batting improvisations.
Often bowlers provoke and sledged at batsmen and Javed would wait for such an opportunity. As soon as any bowler provoked Javed, the next moment his bat would retaliate and the ball would be seen behind the ropes. He wouldn’t stop there. Javed was incorrigible and with his presence of mind and tenacity would aptly respond with verbal volleys. Perhaps this is how he motivated himself and till his last test, he continued to provoke and unsettle the bowlers around the world. Standing at short leg or silly point, he would incessantly chatter and play mind games with the opposition. In 1978 Javed scored two brilliant centuries and with Asif Iqbal scampered for singles and clinched the test match and series for Pakistan.
Swiftest Gentleman
Asif Iqbal was stylish and a finest diplomat and advocate of the game. Perhaps Asif was the real finisher at No 6, and excelled in all departments. His bowling was accurate, and his athleticism and fielding very sharp. However it was his batting that saved several tests and won him many accolades. While Asif played a stellar role in 78 series against India in Pakistan, the next year on tour to India, his batting faltered. Under his captaincy Pakistan lost the 1979 series in India.
Cricket is a metaphor of life. Ironically in his final test, the fastest and swiftest runner between the wickets was run out at Eden Gardens. The entire stadium of 80,000 spectators gave Asif a deserving standing ovation. Since 1996 the crowd at Eden Gardens has changed, however it was befitting to see Pakistan team receiving a standing ovation at Chepauk, where barely 18 minutes ago, the colossal Tendulkar stood like Rock of Gibraltar, playing a valiant knock despite excruciating back strain. To my mind, that knock deserves a place along with G.R. Viswanath’s 97 at Chepauk and Laxman’s 281 at Eden Gardens.
The Debonair
The long haired, Oxford educated, debonair Imran had a wonderful physique that any fast bowler would aspire. His Pathan inheritance had blessed him with good height, muscular shoulders, strong wrist, and till date he continues to be an eye candy of every woman. Behind Jeff Thomson and Holding, Imran became the third best fast bowler in the world and had a beautiful run up and a unique bowling style. The final leap and the release of ball, barely before his feet had firmly landed in the crease, were worth watching and many of us still find it difficult to emulate.
In years to come Imran went on to win the world cup in 92, create many records; became a successful captain and was among the top all rounders in the world. Pakistan had several fast bowlers, but it was Imran who inspired everybody in the country to take up the art of fast bowling. Soon you had Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed who in turn carried the legacy left by Imran and encouraged Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammed Sami, Mohammed Asif and now Mohammed Ameer to bowl pace. Imran’s contribution to Pakistan cricket is phenomenal. He has an eye for talent and gave opportunities to several young talents like Abdul Qadir, Salim Malik, Moin Khan, Rameez Raja, Amir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Inzammam, Saqlain Mustaq, and Afridi in the team.
Left Arm of God
Perhaps no other left hand pace bowler has received such adulation and respect. Akram was thin, lanky, a good hitter and a master of disguise. Wasim Akram with an unorthodox run up and short leap was quick and unplayable on any wicket. Akram ran carrying the ball in his right hand making it difficult for the batsmen and even to the non striker to determine the shiny surface. In no time Akram would reached the bowling crease and before he got into his final delivery stride, the ball had changed hands and sat nonchalantly between his magic fingers.
In a jiffy the ball would have a life of its own. The ball would fly with great speed, seam and often swing and obey his master’s commands. Who can forget his phenomenal spell against England in 92 world cup, getting Alan Lamb and Chris Lewis in quick succession? Wasim had that innate ability to vary his pace and move the ball either ways. Many prolific batsmen including Robin Smith have lost their balance to his toe crushing yorkers.
Peter Roebuck rightly states that “Cricketers like Wasim are not to be judged merely in terms of figures. He has a remarkable record, but that is not the point. No one doubts that Wasim was a great cricketer. Rather, he is to be judged by his contribution to the game, as a match winner and a man who proved that bowling could be as entertaining as batting.” Little wonder then, why the cricketing world considers Wasim as ‘The Left Arm of God!’
Master of Reverse Swing
Waqar and Tendulkar made their debut in the same Test match. Waqar took 4 wickets in the drawn match including wickets of Kapil Dev and Sachin. Waqar was athletic, muscular, and stylish and bowled amazing in-swingers and out-swinger. He also had a good in swinging yorkers but it was his leg cutter that would unfailingly find the gap between the bat and pad. The ability to reverse swing and his explosive speed made him as one of the feared bowlers in modern cricket.
must say ! wat a keen observer ur and how intense is ur knowledge in terms of cricket stars....got 2 know alot from the blog which earlier i dint knew.....fantabulous job!cheers
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting you pointed out crowds getting regressive at Eden Gardens. In fact, it was embarrassing to find a stunned silence among 85000 people when Salim Malik was playing a match winning ODI knock against all odds(so much for Bengali superiority complex)
ReplyDeleteIn fact, Mumbai crowds have been getting inexplicably vulgar & abusive. Crowds turning out for Test matches is uneducated (what an irony for India's cricket capital). In the 2006 Test against England, "Flintoff is a b$#@&!d" was the anthem. Against lanka last week, "Harper is a b$%^&#@d", "Aussie Sucks" were in vogue.
Perhaps, Kolkata & Mumbai crowds getting regressive is an extension of increasing social & political backwardness in the two cities
Chirag Pathak