The café with a difference

The construction-ridden and ever-narrowing streets of Zamzama now have another hotspot to boast of -– Olé, the latest entry in the world of cafes and restaurant.

Located in Lane 6, right opposite an empty plot, much to the delight of the customers looking for a convenient parking spot, the café offers a simple and elegant, all-wooden –– bar the windows –– entrance, that sets it apart from the existing all-glass facades that many eateries have adopted.

The lighting is neither dark enough for it to be mistaken for a posh restaurant, nor bright enough to be taken as a teen hangout –– and the seating arrangement limits the crowd to easily manageable groups, both in terms of numbers and sound levels. Since the clientele comprises of all age groups, the seating includes regular tables and chairs as well as cushioned benches.

The eatery caters to diners and coffee-lovers combined, and business hours are from lunchtime to just past midnight. Its fancy, colourful menu proved to be an extensive one; offering everything from nachos to steaks, burgers, Italian offerings, sandwiches and desserts. In the beverages section the menu included both lattes and cappuccinos –– including flavoured versions of both –– as well as iced substitutes, milk-based and soft drinks.

While the complementary offering of garlic bread was not the best start to the afternoon, as it lacked the garlic spirit and zest, the nachos, complemented by the pepper dip, made up for them, as did the fries.

The main course, in the form of the chimichanga –– pastry filled with chicken, cheese and a healthy, and generous, serving of vegetables –– and steak Olé, accompanied by a variety of steak sauces, arrived on-stage; the appetising aroma made us dive in straight away.

The chimichanga tasted more of cheese than anything else, but the serving was generous enough to fill one’s stomach, even if a day’s fast preceded the meal, and the salsa-type sauce definitely enhanced the taste. Do make a note that, in a similar manner to steaks, the chimichanga must be eaten hot or will become decidedly unappetising. Steak Olé lacked the a uniform level of cooking essential for steaks, however, with its serving of vegetables and potatoes on the side, it made for a satisfactory meal; not sparkling but filling.

Coming to the desserts selection, we were faced with quite a variety to choose from and decided to go with the vanilla mint blast, since it carried a “must try” tag, and a blueberry cheesecake. As we waited to be served we took in the ambiance and the music, which was on the loud side, considering the café’s target age-range. However, we did not get too much time to savour the surroundings as the service was quick and our dessert was soon on the table.

While the mint in the mint blast was on the lighter side, the scrumptious cheesecake, with a healthy amount of blueberries, was an apt end to a good meal.

On a separate visit, we decided to sample the coffee and a walnut brownie with vanilla ice cream. While it took 35 minutes for the coffee to arrive –– owing to machinery breakdown –– the walnut brownie, laden with chocolate syrup, made the long wait worthwhile. The latte, (made from Indian beans as we were told) although on the lighter side, was a welcome sight, especially as it boasted just the right amount of froth (unlike most outlets in Karachi) and tasted divine with the brownie.

Overall, the eatery could very well prove to be a major hit on Zamzama, not only due to its friendly and (mostly) quick service, but also the range offered on the menu, and their coffee. Although pricewise it is at par with the majority of the restaurants in the area, the entire experience makes it worthwhile.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in The Review (Dawn newspaper) Jun 5, 2008

Where's the passion?

‘The Return of the Aunty Disco Project’ failed to live up to its hype

Aunty Disco Project (ADP) have this annoying habit of leaving the attendees of their concerts in fits, at times undergoing non-stop head-banging routines while they deliver pure rock satisfaction on-stage.

It had always been the case of wanting more as the performance reaches closure time. But perhaps it was the rather solemn, culpable crowd at Indus Valley School (IVS) or maybe a new — albeit temporary — lineup that the ADP had brought on their last weekend’s performance that left many craving for a spark of brilliance to light up the night.

Organised by the school’s alumni, the concert witnessed the forced absence of Imran Lodhi (abroad due to academic commitments) but saw Ali Alam deputise for him yet again as well as Miqdad featuring as a guest saxophone player. Sound checks and dummy runs were undertaken as the Karachi crowd, notorious for delaying every single concert, trickled in and settled down on the lawns (note to ADP: Never have your audience sit down for your concerts, it makes for a dull environment). And with not much happening, the band got involved in some promotion of their own — interviews, selling t-shirts and their recently-launched album — while undertaking social commitments.

World-weary of the waiting act, ADP set about the virtuous act of running onstage and as Yasir Qureshi, the master darbukian, settled down nicely under a silver-strapped black hat, Omar Bilal Akhtar (OBA) announced that the night had officially begun. Muted response and applause was audible at best as the ADP started with a cover to get the crowd moving, and moved into Girta Nahin Mein.

Sensing that all was not well with the excitement levels in the crowd, and that the fervour levels had to be notched up several times, OBA threatened not to carry on with the act unless the crowd set up camp right in front of the stage, standing up instead of half-lying on the grass. The obedient obliged and while the majority remained on their backs for Shehr Kay Aansoo and what followed, the fervent followers ensured the settings of a rock concert were in effect.

And as Sultanat (arguably ADP’s catchiest and widely-appreciated tune) arrived, albeit with a reworked intro, the mercurial crowd suddenly breathed a new life and belied their inert presence till then. It was a good time for Ali Alam and OBA to swap places as the latter rested his effectively overworked vocal chords. Ali proved to be an effective change on the mic, not because OBA failed to work his magic but because a mild rest was required from a heaving performance, and the fact ADP had a second stint waiting.

The event also allowed ADP to show off a collection of their new songs from the second album that they had already started work on. According to Qureshi, the great response on the launch of their first album had them working on a sequel straight away. “We have come up with six to seven songs already and we are aiming towards good rock songs that have a punk rock element to them. Even the covers we play at events, we try and change them according to our music and our preference and include a bit of ADP into them,” he said.

“We played a couple of new songs at the event to see how they fare in performances and to get the audience’s response. We don’t want to deviate much from the type of music we make but, in short, you will see more Sultanat type of music in the future.”

While the darbuka received the beating of its lifetime, and the applause in return, the event as a whole failed to impress much, perhaps due to the high standards of performance ADP has set in the past or maybe the crowd involvement.

Omar Khalid (OK), as always, was at his best with the sticks, although he kept up the trend of losing drumsticks while playing (he has done that in every single concert I have attended). Miqdad was a welcome addition to the night’s lineup. Although he remained a bystander for the majority of the performance, the instances where he did show his art remained a treat, and rather impressive at the way the saxophone blend in with the rockness that was the duo of OBA and OK.

Unlike previous ADP concerts, there was not to be a solo stint in the middle of a song, although Qureshi and OK did manage to squeeze in a tiny bit. Surprisingly, it was the darbuka that won my award for the night.

The apt delivery of Sultanat and Ali’ Hum Na Rahe breathed life into an otherwise soggy crowd interaction. While Ali only delivered a couple of his songs, his delivery on bass remained impeccable and considering he is not a permanent member, an immaculate conflate was witnessed.

As the event drew close, OBA may have perhaps been the most disappointed man on the planet; his ever-increasing energy levels, numerous efforts to get the crowd going and faultless delivery failed to turn a decent performance into a spectacular one.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in Images (Dawn newspaper) Jun 1, 2008

TELECOM SECTOR: Where do we go from here?

From the limited use of mobile and internet connection around 15 years ago, Pakistan has come a long way. Faras Ghani strolls down the telecom lane…

It is difficult to imagine that not so long ago in Pakistan, it used to cost a fortune to make an international call — that had to be pre-booked via the operator and would otherwise cost a lot more. And that even the elite had to think long and hard before purchasing and using a mobile phone. The ‘internet’ seed had not been planted yet publicly. But the fortunate ones accustomed to the term had to do with a gloomy and unattractive text-only version. The pager was the in-thing as a majority of household witnessed the green analogue dialing phones courtesy of our beloved telecom authority.

However, the introduction of global system for mobile communication (GSM) technology in Pakistan by Mobilink paved way for greater inroads. Although Instaphone and Paktel had offered the advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) in 1991, its usage was merely restricted to business executives and government professionals. Mobilink, due to the intense popularity of GSM services across and outside of Pakistan, remained the sole service provider for the next seven years and saw its customer base expand from thousands to millions by the year 2000.

The introduction in the market of government-backed Ufone in 2001, Paktel launching their GSM services in 2004, and the launch of Telenor and Warid the following year effectively shaped Pakistan’s booming mobile phone industry. Up until the latter part of 1999 when a customer was charged for incoming calls to now, when calling the US costs as low as two rupees a minute, people from all walks of life have taken a preference to mobile phones instead of the ever-tenuous landline structure and failing reliability.

Even with failing reliability and ungratified customer-base, there have been monumental improvements — in call rates as well as facilities offered — in what a Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) customer has experienced ever since its formation in 1996. International call rates as high as sixty rupees per minute and the phone lines that could not handle data signals have transformed into the cheapest-ever call rates, value-added services like call-waiting, conference-calling, caller line-id as well as broadband services on the very phone lines. Add wireless phones from various companies and the telecom industry produces a scenario impossible to have been envisaged a decade ago.

As far as the internet accessibility is concerned, Pakistan has witnessed a storm of a growth in the last fifteen years. From a handful of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the mid-90s — namely Compunet, Paknet and Cybernet among the more popular ones — and high access rates, the country not only saw an uncontrollable, and freak emergence of ISPs, but also a sharp rise in the number of cyber cafes witnessed in many cities.

As computers became a household commodity with the fall in prices, residential connections for these ISPs increased considerably, especially less costly dial-up connections. From connections as slow — or fast, depending on the era one is in — 9.6 kbps gradually leading up to 33.6kbps and finally 54kbps, home users were finally introduced to the wonder that was the internet. With technological advancement, and the reduction in bandwidth charges by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), there came the cable (shared networks) and finally, DSL.

“Pakistan is going through an interesting phase and the two licenses auctioned couple of years ago have revolutionised our entire industry,” says Mohsin Jafri, founder and CEO of Zumbeel. “The global telecom players are in the middle of a fierce fight for subscribers and even though price war is at peak, unless each network provider creates its own unique selling point, there will not be any emotional attachment to their customers,” he adds.

Although Pakistan lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to the advent, and public use of technology, the acclivity of not only the advancement, but also the implementation and adaptation of telecom-related technology has been steep. Pakistan came out top in the list of countries with the highest mobile phone growth rate last year and judging by the fervour associated with the device even at present, the craze that has become a necessity is certain to stay. With residential broadband speed as fast as 2mbps (fast by this country’s standards) being currently offered, coupled with Wi-Fi and EDGE usage on one’s hand-held, there is pure optimism, among great expectations, as one ponders on the future of telecom in Pakistan.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in SciTech World (Dawn newspaper) May 17, 2008

Gloved confidence

‘I want to become Pakistan’s number one wicket-keeper,’ says Sarfraz Ahmed. Is Kamran Akmal listening?

Maturity beyond years is apparent from Sarfraz Ahmed’s confident body language, his constant chatting on the field, and from how he talks -- as if he’s destined to represent the Pakistan national cricket team.

Born in Karachi, the word “street-cricket” did not come as a surprise when Sarfaraz shared with this scribe his early years in the sport that have already made him a World Cup winner. From the days of (taped) tennis ball cricket involving local area teams, through various age-group clubs, academies, district teams… to his international debut against India last year, Sarfraz knew no better pastime than wicket-keeping.

Perhaps too young to witness Moin Khan’s heroics in Pakistan’s World Cup 1992 winning campaign, Sarfraz worships him nevertheless. Like a majority of young, aspiring wicket-keepers in the country, “Moin bhai” is the instant reply when asked to name their idol. Although Rashid Latif comes a close second, it was Moin’s unorthodox yet effective tactics with the bat that helped Sarfraz assign his players positions.

Following a successful start to his domestic career in the Inter District U-19 tournament, Sarfraz made his international debut in the 2005 Afro-Asia Under-19 Cup where he captained Pakistan. An attacking 52 in only his second innings, a 53-ball 54 against Bangladesh, and a series-win against the West Indies at home followed as Pakistan became a strong contender for the U-19 World Cup. Fate duly rewarded the hard-working youngster as a spectacular comeback sealed Pakistan’s second successive sweep of the tournament. Perhaps the manner of victory or maybe the gravity of the triumph, lifting the U-19 World Cup with the captain’s arm-band remains an unforgettable memory for Sarfraz.

“I still can’t believe it at times (the win),” he said. “Achieving so much at a young age (in cricketing world), I only had bigger things to look forward to. There have been so many great players that have come and gone without ever lifting such a coveted prize and by leading my country to such heights, I’ve only developed greater ambitions.”

In between that and making his international mark, Sarfraz made his first-class debut when he represented Karachi and National Bank of Pakistan towards the tail end of the 2005-06 season but could only manage a single outing. Short stint at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore followed where a trip to Nepal was also undertaken and as he swapped departments, a much-improved full season with the bat and gloves beckoned.

Not only did he manage over 500 runs (at an average of over 37 and with five half-centuries) in what effectively was his maiden first-class season, Sarfraz juggled his commitments well. He represented the Pakistan International Airlines in the Patron’s Trophy, Karachi Urban in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, Karachi Dolphins in the Twenty20 Cup, and Pakistan during the Hong Kong Sixes. The reward? A ticket to India as cover for the injured Kamran Akmal (although Akmal’s indifferent form behind the stumps was a more credible reason).

“I was elated, it was a dream come true (the call for national duty),” Sarfraz said. “Even though it came as a surprise, I wasn’t shocked at all because I knew that one day I would turn up for national duty, given my commitment and success level. The hard work had finally paid off.”

However, Sarfraz was quick to add that the real job had just begun. Knowing fully well that even a star performance will not be enough to cement his place in the side ahead of the wobbly Akmal, he knew he had to make best use of the opportunity. And as the opportunity came in Kanpur, he duly obliged.

Though not required to bat, he quickly took his catches’ tally to two. An impeccable show with the gloves, it was in fact Sarfraz’s chatter that won him many admirers. With high-profile names filling the team sheets from either side, the 20-year-old showed no nerves.

“An international debut against India in India, what more could I have asked for,” he said with a smile. “There was a lot of pressure on me not only to perform as the selectors had shown faith in me, but also because of the importance of the match. I adopted a simple approach: taking it as a normal game and blocking the fact that it was an international match out of my mind.”

It wasn’t as such that Sarfraz hadn’t taken on quality opposition before. He was part of the Patron’s XI squad that took on the touring South Africans and, following the series against India, he was included in yet another Patron’s XI for the four-day match against the Zimbabweans. Useful experience against Australia A at home bloated his run tally to 475 in only seven matches in the current season and with it came the confidence boost.

Aged only 20, Sarfraz has already passed 1,000 first-class runs and has over 50 dismissals behind the stumps to go with the U-19 trophy. With age and confidence on his side and with selectors slotting him in against for the international test when possible, Akmal may well have been biting his finger nails when Sarfraz took the field for the final two ODIs against Zimbabwe.

They say first impressions last. Going by that, and if the energetic Sarfraz managed to impress the selectors during the series against Zimbabwe, a mightier test against the Australians may very well be waiting for him come March-April.

“I want to be Pakistan’s number one,” Sarfraz said with an assured look that completely wiped whatever doubts the listener had during the informal session. He may very well.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in Dawn Magazine Mar 09, 2008

BREAKING THE ICE: Ski is the limit

Skiing is an expensive sport, which is why the Pakistan Sports Board and the Pakistan Olympic Association should lend their support to those who are interested in it
Recently the Naltar-slope-conquering trio of Anmar Habib, Adeeba Junaidi and Sidra Kamran helped Sindh retain the Saadia Khan Ski Cup — women’s National Skiing Championship crown.

Overpowering teams like the Army and the Air Force, among others, Sindh won the title with confidence and aplomb.

The success, according to the Sindh Ski Association (SSA), will not only attract more women to the sport but also increase interest and awareness of the sport among the male population as well. “We have hundreds of skiers in Sindh presently and we’re hoping that the performance of our women’s team at the national level will only help us increase those numbers,” Javed Habib, president of the SSA, said.

With the recent capturing of Maalam Jabba by the Taliban, Naltar, although not of world-class standards, was deemed worthy enough to hold the championship. An 18-hour drive from Islamabad (via Gilgit) is required to reach the slope, thus yanking up the accessibility problem that also affects training schedule immensely. However, given accessibility issues of the winning trio — Anmaar is a high-school student in the US, Adeeba is in between jobs, while Sidra studies at LUMS — it was heartwarming to witness the tercet finish at the top.

Disappointed with the lack of media coverage of the championship — the event went by almost unnoticed — Habib urged interested individuals to come forward, expressing their desire to try out the sport. “Seldom is anyone born perfect at a sport,” he said. “We have recruited curious individuals from all walks of life, including gymnasts from Lyari, and have provided training facility to them and we invite others to come forward. It is an exciting sport, one that needs to be tried before reserving judgment. We, at the SSA, encourage whoever wants to have a go at skiing to come to us and we will provide them with the equipment and basic training facilities.”

Citing the need for a broader representation at the national level — and a decent one internationally — Habib confirmed that Pakistan lay towards the bottom of the Asian pool in the skiing world. He also mentioned that there was an acute shortage of equipment, skiing suits and world-class training facilities all year round thus depriving upcoming individuals and potential stars.

“The Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP), with the help of the Pakistan Air Force, provides coaching, training and equipment for beginners as well as assisting with the preparation of the slope. The Vice-Chief of Air Force takes very keen interest in the promotion of this sport. However, the lack of funding limits their expenditure.

“The SSA receives no support from the government, no form of sponsorship and financial assistance from any other organisation. To increase awareness and improve performance, you must fulfill the basic needs of the athletes.”

The interest and involvement of Pakistani women in the sport is on the rise as last year the country was represented on the international circuit for the first time. Anmaar and Nadia Faisal represented Pakistan at the 2007 Asian Winter Games and, although the duo failed to win any medals, their presence – “Pakistani women skiing?” — created a buzz. Being part of history, Anmaar has set her hopes on representing Pakistan at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Training at a skiing academy while pursuing her academics, the 18-year-old is quite a motivated individual.

However, Habib was quick to point out the role that financial institutions and the government need to play. “Skiing is an expensive sport, something you can’t do in the street,” he said. “You need special equipment and a dedicated location and that’s where we need the Pakistan Sports Board and the Pakistan Olympic Association to step forward. We also need organisations that are willing to provide us with the much-required financial backing.”

Athletes with the potential of qualifying for the Olympics need to be sponsored today by private organisations who can then benefit from their international exposure.

Money or no money, a commendable feat by Sindh — and the rest of the participants considering not only accessibility but also security issues — lacked the presence of local media and the space it deserved on the sports pages considering its status as a national championship. “The local media was very poor in covering the event and relied on press releases and results issued.” Even after winning the championship for the second consecutive year there was no recognition by the Sindh government or the Sindh Olympic Association.

© Faras Ghani 2008

Published in Dawn Magazine Feb 24, 2008

Zimbabwe fail the fitness test

Although ostensibly Zimbabwe talked of winning the ODI series against Pakistan at the outset, their best hopes lay in a one-off upset. Recent victories against Australia in the World Twenty20, West Indies and against some South African representative sides notwithstanding, the consistency required to win a series is still absent.

Still, even with lowered expectations, they would have left unhappy: injuries, ailing opening partnerships, an ineffective and shallow bowling line-up and the failure, and reluctance, to learn from mistakes making for a glum show.

The problems began at the top, with their openers unable to lay a decent foundation. With starts of 47, 16, 10, 7 and 23, the middle order was left to rescue rather than carry forward momentum. Brendan Taylor (139 runs), Tatenda Taibu (161 runs) and Sean Williams (192 runs) were left with too much to do, though they obliged responsibly. This was Zimbabwe's biggest positive, as formidable partnerships were regularly formed against more than adequate bowling.

However, their unfamiliarity against spin was exposed repeatedly and that too against part-time spinners and an unknown. Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi shared 16 wickets in the ODIs, after the little-known Yasir Shah, a right-arm leg-spinner, had initiated the trend in the tour match. He only managed three wickets, but troubled Zimbabwe consistently. In the ODIs, it wasn't just the fall of wickets but the lack of ideas to exploit Pakistan's lack of bowling depth (the home side played only three specialist bowlers throughout the series) that was worrying.

The real problems were with the ball, however. Christopher Mpofu was ineffective and though Gary Brent slaved away without reward and Tawanda Mupariwa sparkled in his only outing, they were desperately short of a quick, quality bowler; too many were similarly medium-paced. Ray Price only managing 5 for 220 off his 50 overs didn't help either. The fielding remained enthusiastic, often effective though they continued to drop vital chances.

Above all, however, it was Zimbabwe's failure to capitalise on good positions that stood out. Robin Brown, Zimbabwe's coach, spoke of his side lacking a killer instinct through the series. It showed; Pakistan were reeling at 78 for 5 in Multan but went on to score 272 and from 155 for 3 in reply, Zimbabwe could only manage 80 in the last 14 overs. In Hyderabad, Zimbabwe were on for a big total, but from a healthy 156 for 2 in 32 overs, they reached only a disappointing 238. They then dropped four vital catches. Their resistance faltered as the series progressed and by Sheikhupura, when they were all out for 181, heads had dropped.

For Pakistan, the series was an opportunity to test its bench strength in various areas. They tried nine new players but only enjoyed mixed results. Nasir Jamshed shone as an opener with entertaining half-centuries to start his career (following a majestic 182 in the tour match) but faded as his timing, placement and perhaps confidence deserted him. Samiullah Khan, from whom much was expected after this domestic season's performances, was swiftly dumped after failing to impress.

Khalid Latif, Sohail Khan, Kamran Hussain, Khurram Manzoor, Abdur Rauf and Wahab Riaz were also given opportunities as Pakistan looked for fast bowlers and openers. Latif and Sohail fluffed their initial chances, but the others fared better. However, as commendable a good debut is, one match and that too against Zimbabwe is hardly a reliable gauge of talent and potential, especially when Australia are next in line.

For the established lot, however, the series rendered a munificent feast. Malik made a terrific all-round return from injury, scoring two fifties and topping the bowling charts with 11 wickets. Mohammad Yousuf scored the only century of the series and Younis Khan and the ever-realiable Misbah-ul-Haq did no harm to their batting averages. Afridi, too, availed whatever opportunity he got, finishing with five wickets and 130 runs (including a 27-ball 43 and a 52-ball 85).

A good start to the year was what Malik was after - "We will ensure that we don't repeat mistakes made last year and will try our best to start 2008 off with a series win" - and he got the win, but the absence of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul was felt enormously.

Hamilton Masakadza's reminder that his side wasn't "outplayed" and was "in a position to win at least three matches" was half true. And the credible purpose of the series was to get experience of conditions outside Zimbabwe, to play against quality opposition and grab a glimpse of what to expect when they re-enter Test cricket. But much re-grouping and re-assessing is still required before their series against India, for based on this performance, Zimbabwe lack the strength to re-enter that world. Much the same can be said of Pakistan's impending challenge against Australia.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published on Cricinfo Feb 6, 2008

The importance of being earnest

Smiling, just as he was after overcoming the might of Australia at the World Twenty20 group phase, Robin Brown sits down to talk about a group of internationals who don't play Test cricket. Zimbabwe had just lost a four-day tour match in Karachi by an innings - albeit against a bunch of strong Pakistan hopefuls - a detour possibly to their road back to Test cricket.

Brown, appointed Zimbabwe's coach in September last year, chose, however, to concentrate on the positives. "Yes, we lost by a big margin but we managed to get a lot out of it," he told Cricinfo. "I think a result was the only thing we failed to achieve because our bowlers got a chance to spend time bowling to good opposition under new conditions. Our batsmen, even though only a couple went past fifty, spent time in the middle and adjusted to the low bounce and slowness that is the subcontinent pitch. It's a learning process, whether it's accompanied by a win or a loss."

He agreed that there were spurts of impatience from the batsmen - mostly due to a lack of match experience. Tatenda Taibu, for example, had just escaped with a rash stroke away from his body when, to the following delivery, he slashed again - to one close to being called a wide. Taibu departed, having faced 131 deliveries.

"Players need to own up, they need to take responsibility," Brown said. "They all know how vital they are to the team's cause. We have done away with the 'senior' tag so be it a debutant, or someone whose played over fifty matches, they are all equally responsible."

Zimbabwe cricket has been in turmoil for some time now. They voluntarily gave up Test status in 2006, having lost almost their entire first team during the player revolt of 2004. Brown admits that it greatly affected the side, but quickly adds that no player goes on forever in any case, so backups should have been in place. It gave, he reasons, younger players a chance to step up though the very basics, which, when he took over, had to be revisited.

"Rebuilding is a gradual process, especially when you have a young side with limited international experience. When we set about the process, we took players to nets to work on basics. Batsmen need to put their feet in the right places, play balls on merit and learn how to spend time at the crease.

"Bowlers were given a channel to bowl in. We worked at those basics for six-seven hours a day for six weeks. Players had a set routine. They knew what they would be doing two weeks ahead. There is a set plan now in place for every member and that has helped immensely."

Hard work is paying off, as is cooperation from Zimbabwe Cricket. Before, according to Brown, facilities were not provided simply because players never asked for it. Now there are professional trainers, sports psychologists and world-class training facilities. "The board is working with the players now. We have a lot of talent and the board has realised that and invested time, effort and money into it."

The return of some experience has also helped. Without delving into the reasons behind their exits, Brown welcomed back Taibu, Ray Price and Gary Brent, highlighting their value to the team from the tour match alone. Taibu scored 46 and 30, Price managed a four-for and Brent was involved in a defiant 96-run seventh-wicket partnership to delay the inevitable.

"Experience improves the side. While they perform, they can share the magic with younger players and pass on advice. Their return also fires a warning to players whose spot they have occupied, as they now need to work extra hard elsewhere and warrant selection in the playing eleven. It's healthy competition."

Vital to maintaining that competition will be the ability of the domestic structure to churn out talent. Brown says matters are rapidly improving, pointing out that provincial sides managed to beat the Kenyans easily last season. "It was beneficial for Zimbabwe to have invited Kenya to play but it was pleasing for our players to be winning against them. It just shows how much depth we have in our talent pool. We also have A and B teams, with international coaches coming in. It is definitely on the rise."

There are still kinks, for example the fielding, which saw a number of grassed chances in Karachi. Brown recalled that it was Zimbabwe's fielding that played a key role in the upset win over Australia, so giving away "60 crucial runs due to sloppiness" against the Patron's XI wasn't good.

"Sometimes they switch off on the field," Brown admits. "It is difficult to keep them motivated as we, before this hectic schedule recently, barely played any cricket. I would love to see them play more, ideally in international cricket but even if its club cricket. Playing under various conditions different to back home would help the players develop a great deal."

So what does Zimbabwe need to get back into the Test arena? "Nothing," Brown says without hesitation. "I think we're right up there with most of the teams on the Test circuit. Obviously, competing against the top two will be difficult, but against the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies and New Zealand I'm sure the team will perform well."

So a humble enquiry is put forward: on the performance of the tour match, would a Zimbabwe Test against Bangladesh last five days? "Obviously it won't. We will beat them in four."

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published on Cricinfo Jan 20, 2008

Third-most famous beard, and a dummy's guide to 'bastard'

Beard face
The year has started on a disappointing note for Monty Panesar. Winner of the Beard of the Year award last year, he has slipped down to having the third best beard in the country. He was beaten to the top two spots by Robert Plant, the Led Zeppelin front man, and Rafael Benitez, Liverpool FC's manager, in a competition held by the Beard Liberation Front, an informal network of beard wearers. The winners, according to Keith Flett, Beard Liberation Front organiser, have "stylish beards and are promoting a new 21st-century image of the hirsute." Where is WG Grace when we need him?

It's not cricket
Such was the scale of the umpiring saga during the Sydney Test that it the concern over the use of technology echoed in tennis courts too. Lleyton Hewitt, former world No. 1, a victim of "poor calls" in his loss to Chris Guccione, labelled the umpiring as "pretty ordinary" while stating, "I feel like the cricketers, I think. What's going on with all the refs these days? They're useless."

Hewitt also criticised the umpires for relying on Hawk-Eye too much. "I think central umpires have probably gone into their shell more so since Hawk-Eye has come in, which is fine in major tournaments. But at the smaller tournaments where you don't have Hawk-Eye you have to stand up and make decisions." Major thinking required.

Victory for all
While the furore over the Indian cricket tour raged on, Brett Lee and Mike Hussey were busy on the sets of "Victory", a Bollywood blockbuster featuring international stars including the Australian duo. There have been calls in India for the public to boycott the film when it comes out. Amid the recent tussle between the two sides, the film producers were far from worried. The US$ 7million production is the story of a young, impoverished cricketer who realises his dream of playing cricket for India. Anu Sharma, the producer of the film, eased off notions that the Australians might be led into playing the bad guys by saying that Australians were the most popular guys in India. With the burning effigies and the likes, Sharma's comments might be a tad off the pace.

Move on, Steve
Dickie Bird has called on Steve Bucknor to retire from the game in the wake of his poor umpiring in the Sydney Test that led to massive protest and his removal from the following Test. Bird, who retired from international cricket in 1996, said: "When you get to that age... I have said to Steve, 'Don't go on too long, get out while you are still respected.' I think he has gone on too long." Darrell Hair, who was ranked as the second best umpire in the world when removed from the elite panel following the Oval saga, also believes time has caught up with Bucknor. "I feel for Steve. In a way, it's probably the best for him to stand down and relieve the pressure a little bit," Hair said.

Justice for all
Hartley Alleyne , a former West Indian cricketer, has been given permission to reside in the UK for three more years after facing deportation despite being a resident for 29 years. Alleyne, who played for Barbados, Worcestershire, Kent and Natal before coaching youngsters in Canterbury, described the decision as "winning the Lotto". He had applied for a permit in 2005 when he began working as a sports coach and resident boarding assistant at a school in Canterbury. But his application was turned down because he did not hold an NVQ Level 3 certificate. "It has been a very long, hard slog, which has been dragging on for some eight months," Alleyne said. "But I'm glad common sense has at last prevailed."

Quote of the week
"This [bastard] is a serious term. It has a lot of bad meanings back in India and we are very sensitive about these issues. In India, we do not have children without getting married. It is a taboo and it is not accepted in the society. A child born out of wedlock is considered to be very low and an outcast. We don't use this word at all, only when you really want to abuse somebody in a derogatory manner."

Chetan Chauhan, India's manager, tells Sydney Morning Herald why calling someone a bastard is far worse than calling someone a monkey, which, according to him, is not an insult in India.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published on Cricinfo Jan 14, 2008

Pakistanis brave violence to vote

Low voter-turnout and sporadic incidents of violence greeted election-day across Pakistan.

Delayed by over a month due to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and preceded by attacks on politicians and party workers, the day was met with lukewarm response from the general public.

According to officials, nine people, including a woman, were killed in different areas of the countries in election-related violence.

Empty streets and deserted polling stations were witnessed in Karachi, Pakistan's largest and most-populous city, as well.

Even though polling commenced at 9am, it was not until late afternoon that the majority of voters cast their votes. A number of stations visited in various localities of the city resulted in polling staff and security officials confirming a slow start and minimal interest.

However, with people staying away, an avid enactment of poll-rigging was witnessed and reported from all over the city.

There were numerous complaints that people arriving late in the afternoon had their votes cast already. Some, upon arrival at the stations, learnt that their names were missing from the electoral vote. While a few chose to head towards another nearby station to try their luck, majority of them were left fuming.

At one station in central Karachi, polling ceased well before the 5pm closing time due to 100 percent voter turnout. However, further investigation revealed that over 20 locals in that area had their vote "cast by someone else".

At one particular venue in Clifton, a southern Karachi area, officers allowed a woman to cast her vote despite her name not being present on the list. Staff at a polling station in Defence (Karachi) reported massive rigging due to the lack of security staff and the involvement of the election officers on-site.

In some northern areas of Pakistan, women voters were forced not to participate in the polls. An independent candidate tried to mark the ballot papers after snatching them from the voters in NA-74 constituency.

According to Geo News, a PPP candidate was arrested in Nazimabad (Karachi) after allegedly kidnapping a presiding officer at a polling station.

Despite the lack of interest by the public, workers of several parties provided pick and drop service to residents of their area in order to encourage voting.

Several MQM activists were seen in the city transporting women and the elderly to and from the polling stations. With PPP and MQM deemed as leading parties in Karachi, an active presence of party workers was witnessed on the streets and outside the polling stations for last-gasp luring of votes.

While MQM looks all set to sweep the city, PPP is well-placed for a healthy result across the province of Sind. PML-N has emerged as the leading party in Punjab over the years and the trend looks set to continue. In NWFP, the ANP looks set to benefit from JUI's decision to boycott the elections and may very well secure healthy numbers in Baluchistan as well.

For the National Assembly, however, the death of Benazir may well have placed PPP in a majority-securing position courtesy of sympathy votes.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in Asian News Feb 19, 2008

Imran Khan barred from Karachi

IMRAN Khan, leader of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf - Movement for Justice - was prevented from entering Karachi - for the second time in five months - as he arrived in the city to address the Karachi Bar Association (KBA).

Imran, a cricketer-turned-politician, was served an expulsion notice upon arrival in Karachi from Quetta and was flown to Islamabad instead, leaving dozens of PTI followers shouting anti-government slogans outside Karachi airport.

Citing his planned address to the KBA as the reason behind his expulsion, government officials stated that anyone attempting to join the lawyers' movement with the general elections looming would be treated as a threat to the law and order situation.

"He was also due to address public meetings of the All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM) in Hyderabad and Karachi," Arif Ali Khan, the Sindh home secretary, said. "Since the APDM had announced an election boycott, they have not been given permission to hold such processions or meetings so participation in such gatherings would not be a legal or a wise move.

"We respect the political parties and their leaders but sometimes you need to prioritise your actions in the name of the national interest," the home secretary added. "The order against Imran Khan was part of that strategy."

Imran, who refused to fight the government orders in court, said: "Musharraf and his men - regardless of whether they were from the earlier government or from this caretaker set-up - have a history of violating the constitution.

"They did it again by preventing me from addressing the people and they [the newly-appointed judges] are all Musharraf's personal judges and I don't pin any hope on getting any justice from such people. So I am not going to challenge the Sindh government's move before any court."

Speaking at the seminar in Quetta prior to his departure for Karachi, Imran had blamed the lack of provincial autonomy and the absence of an independent judiciary as the reasons behind the country's instability.

Last September, the elected Sindh government barred Imran's entry into Karachi citing his political engagements as a possible cause for traffic problems.


The PTI chief had been scheduled to address a group of lawyers in support of the deposed chief justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published in Asian News Feb 11, 2008