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

'I don't want to be a back-up bowler'

Yasir Arafat has had a good season with Kent, an impressive Test debut against India, and is now looking forward to doing well in Pakistan's domestic season
Tell us about your stint with Kent earlier in the year
It was my second year in county cricket and this time I was paired with Andrew Hall for Kent. Playing with, and against, international stars taught me a lot. I had earlier played at Sussex as well, with Mushtaq Ahmed. I played 10 first-class matches with Kent and managed 369 runs, with two centuries, as well as 27 wickets.

What is your role in the current Pakistan team? You had been labelled an ODI specialist, but your county stint suggests you are a fairly capable allrounder in the longer form
That is true. I have 527 first-class wickets and close to 4500 runs. Because I am now considered an allrounder, I have to work hard on my batting and bowling both. I have been playing first-class cricket for 10 years now, but I have only played seven ODIs since making my debut seven years ago. I'm called up for a game here and there due to injuries to senior players and that is the reason why I haven't been able to perform to the level that I can.

What was your Test debut like?
It was always my dream to play for Pakistan, and to make my Test debut against a team like India, and that too in India, was just overwhelming. Since it was a Test match, it allowed me to bowl long spells and prove to doubters that I can bowl in Test matches too. Seven wickets on debut and 44 in the first innings [in Bangalore in December 2007] - I can't really complain.

Why do you think Pakistan lost against both South Africa and India despite good individual performances?
Individual performances merely played a rescue act in both series. We failed to click as a team and when you have your strike bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul unfit, it is a blow to the team. We did not have enough resources to counter the experienced line-ups.

What next for you?
I played four matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and performed reasonably well, hopefully enough to get the nod for the tour matches and the ODI series against Zimbabwe. There is a domestic Twenty20 and limited-overs tournament after that series, and I'm hoping to perform there as well, so I'm in the reckoning for the Australia series. I don't want to be a back-up bowler called up whenever someone is injured. I want to be a worthy allrounder in all forms of cricket.

© Faras Ghani 2008
Published on Cricinfo 5th Jan 2008

Young, inexperienced and ready for Pakistan

Sohail Khan, the right-arm Karachi-based fast bowler, has shot to fame in his debut first-class season by grabbing 65 wickets in his first nine matches. The haul includes 16 for 189, a Pakistani record previously held by Fazal Mahmood. Aged 23, Sohail's journey to first-class stardom has seen plenty of travel, hard work, pebble-throwing and prayers, as he reveals to Cricinfo

Since it is your debut season, not many people know much about you. What was your early cricketing life like and how did you end up in Karachi?
I am from up north. I was born in Malakand agency (in NWFP) and, like a majority of other youngsters, played tennis-ball cricket from an early age. I was told that I bowled at a lively pace, something I realised quite soon myself. We lived in the mountain regions and, as kids, we threw a lot of stones around. Tedious as it sounds, it helped build muscle-strength in my shoulders, which was increased by the amount of swimming I did in the innumerable streams and rivers. Perhaps realising the potential I had, together with my height and build, a relative of mine advised me to go to Karachi to play professional cricket. And such has been the bond between myself and Karachi, together with the success I have had, that ever since I set foot here four years ago, I have not gone back even once.

So how did the transition from tennis-ball cricket and pebble-throwing to professional cricket take place?
When I arrived in Karachi, I did not know many people. So I started playing cricket here and there. Nothing professional. Then, Sikander Bakht held a speed hunt talent contest which I entered, and attained top position. At 85 mph, I also came in third fastest in Pakistan. It was after that recognition that I started playing for Millat Club in Malir (Karachi) and followed that up with a place in the Sind Police team. A few months after that, Dr Shah (a renowned individual in the cricket fraternity in Karachi) spotted me and insisted I play for his club (A.O. Club). During a successful stint with him, I was spotted by Rashid Latif who then offered me a place at his academy. That I could not refuse since Rashid bhai has groomed so many individuals - including Younis Khan and Danish Kaneria - at his academy. While a member of his academy, I also played for Deewan group and finally, I got spotted by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) who offered me a place on their team last year. I got 21 wickets in a handful of matches and, following its promotion to first-class cricket, here I am.

What sort of coaching have you been able to receive?
When I started at Rashid bhai's academy, he confined me to nets for a year! I thought I would never see an actual match situation because it was nets day in and day out. I would bowl all day, work on my fitness and remain in the nets and do nothing else. It seemed endless. However, it all paid off when, playing for the first time under Rashid, I bowled three overs, got three wickets and even hit one batsmen who was taken to hospital. I have also sought help and guidance from [former first-class cricketer] Mohinder Kumar who has also helped Kaneria and Mohammad Sami. I would spend four to five hours a day with Kumar and he's the one who helped me develop my outswing because previously, I would bowl fast and swing the ball in only. He guided me on the wrist position on how to obtain movement away which has helped me considerably. The 65 wickets has a lot to do with the month I spent with Kumar.

Our fast bowlers are prone to injuries at a relatively early age. Any that you have been affected by?
Yes, in fact, I missed an entire season due to a groin injury about two years ago. I was actually called up to a Pakistan camp following my performance at the speed contests and club cricket I had been playing and it was in the middle of the camp that I felt the niggle. I decided, with the help of Dr Shah, that it was best to take a break and get it sorted otherwise it could have severe repercussions in the future. Therefore, I had to abandon my stay at the camp and return to the training ground. However, that time off gave me ample opportunity to work on my body and fitness and I came back eager and stronger, both physically and mentally.

You are currently involved in a grueling domestic season, your first, as well as playing club cricket. What sort of training routine do you follow to keep your body in shape?
Training hard is essential for any cricketer and since I'm a fast bowler, I tend to work harder on my shoulders. I have this tractor wheel that I tie with a rope and run the diameter of this ground [Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, home to A.O.Club] pulling it with my shoulders. There is also sprinting and gym sessions involved and together with a good, balanced diet I also find time for plenty of rest.

Not everyone enters first-class cricket and breaks a national record from the depths of obscurity. How has the season worked out for you?
Well, I'd like to sum it up in three words; training, desire and prayers. As mentioned before, there is, and was, a lot of training and hard work involved. In order to achieve something, I knew I had to put in a lot of effort and I did. Because I had the desire to succeed and I knew, and was told, that I had the potential to make it. I am also a devout Muslim and I back up my willingness with prayers. By the grace of God, I have managed to break the great Fazal Mahmood's record.

Do you think you are ready for international cricket or would you like to spend some more time playing domestic?
I am at my peak. I'm fit physically and mentally and everyone I speak to tells me I'm quite capable of handling international pressure. I have not had any communication with the national selectors but I know there is a series against Zimbabwe coming up and I would love to represent Pakistan. I know I am young and inexperienced, but playing with experienced cricketers, coaches and being among people who know much about cricket, I can only improve. Given the chance, I will surely replicate my domestic performance on the international arena.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 19th Dec 2007

Pakistan hunt for future Wasims and Waqars

Imagine this: Pakistan take the field at the World Cup 2011 and the opening bowlers are not from Rawalpindi and Karachi but two lanky rookies from the snow-ridden valley of Chitral and the flats of Bannu: the same pair who shone in the previous year's junior World Cup and have progressed steadily through various age-groups.

It may seem a far-fetched prospect presently - Chitral and Bannu being represented as much as a seamless transition through different age levels - but it may well become a credible vision soon. Or so a new talent hunt scheme launched earlier this year hopes.

Mobilink Hunt for Heroes, a joint effort between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Mobilink, Pakistan's premier mobile-network provider, was launched after the debacle at the 2007 World Cup. The embarrassing exit not only left the country weeping for a second successive World Cup, but also forced the entire cricket fraternity wondering into introspection: where was Pakistan cricket going wrong?

At grassroots level, it was discovered. And so amid the broad belief that there lies hidden treasure in the most obscure corners of the country, this massive program was unveiled. Covering 52 districts throughout the country and all four provinces, the hunt reached out not only to residents of urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, but also to locations off the beaten track, such as Hub, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Nawabshah and Chitral.

The plan was not to spot talent ready to be drafted into the first-class system and, after a couple of seasons, in to the national side. No, for that would, in effect, not be different from other talent hunt schemes in the past. This joint venture aimed solely at 13-16 year-olds who believed they had what it takes to play for Pakistan.

Continue reading this article on Cricinfo

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 18th Dec 2007

Of paths just opened

Before the imposition of emergency, it seemed the growing media enterprise had no holds barred. But these restrictions cannot last too long. They will have to go and let the media take its own course, writes Faras GhaniIt is hardly news that Pakistan’s media industry is rapidly expanding and is in a powerful state (rather, was until the curbs, impositions and blackouts, of which it has been a victim lately). But ever since the government decided to dish out licenses to individuals and private companies to bid for a representation on the broadcasting horizon of Pakistan, there had been a rush to make one’s presence felt.

Thus news, entertainment, music, sports, children, shopping, religion and even culture arrived on our television screens, often in a boisterous manner.

No doubt, it had been a long road: from the time of nine o’clock PTV Khabarnama to news around the clock, from watching cartoons at quarter-past seven in the morning to an unstoppable, often addictive, dosage of an entire variety of animated characters at our service 24/7, from the cherished and eagerly awaited night when our national television station would bless our curved screens with an English movie, albeit from the Mughal days, to Pay-per-View and movies-on-demand, and from Radio Pakistan and the crackling ‘AM’ stations that our grandparents tuned into and over to the various request shows inundating our frequency-world today.

And notwithstanding the emergency, we can safely say that a revolutionary variety in media, especially television has come a long way in the last decade.

However, quantity does not necessarily signify quality. Similarly, with the sheer speed that these private channels grabbed a spot on our screens and in our minds, it gave the audience, the people who decide what should be on the screens and airwaves, not much time to reserve judgment.

There had been a far few rotten apples along the way as well. These victims of our sincerest of abominations are the ones who have inflicted our wrath upon themselves on the basis of a purely unprofessional presentation and sheer lack of standards.

Working in the media industry comes with added perks. The apparent ‘charm’ for the masses serve as rocking reasons enough, but at the same time, it requires toil that is not easy to handle, and with the kind of work that was being churned out, it is no surpeise that experts were not very impressed by the results, be it visuals on televions, or audio on radios, or even what we would come across on billboards, magazines and websites.

Asma Fazil, a student counselor for a media training institute, reckons that there was only one way our media industry was going, and that was up (obviously, this was before the curbs of TV channels). She, however, fully agrees that no media can survice without proper training and facilities and that should be made top priority.

“Although the media and multimedia industry is an expanding field in any country, and one where charm perhaps outshines the rest of the incentives, it is not for everyone. Take designing and advertising for example. You need people with artistic minds, people who are looking to contribute to a field with lots of creativity involved and who can sketch or draw, and people who have attention to detail and not someone who wants a quick result.

“However, even with all the creativity and sketching qualities they bring, we still need to train them. We still need to craft their minds in such a way that they pick up on the concepts, oozing out of them in their everyday task.

“And it is not only the concepts we need to straighten up. While the minds are young, we also need to ensure there is proper awareness. We need to ensure we bring in new ideas instead of copying other people’s work.”

A major point raised in the recent past is the downhill progression of our locally-produced dramas. There was a point in time when our own dramas made headlines with copies of those old-time classics still sitting on a lot of shelves even today. Even the younger generation recalls the story, the twists, the plot and the characters. Where has the trend disappeared now, they ask. Why have we suddenly gone from utilising our brains, our creativity and our ideas to copying what our neighbours are doing and that too of inferior quality.

“Even when these channels were on air, we were not moving ahead with time. We lack the technology, the hardware and and the commitment to match our neighbours. There are plenty of institutions who will train on how to improve the quality of photo, colours, and even the looks of the models, but we are not availing these opportunities.

“Foreign industries are using animations as well as various software in their films. Pakistan, on the other hand, is lacking all that,” she adds.

This is where the need of a proper training and guidance procedure lies. Media houses, private production companies and television channels emphasise the need for properly trained individuals in the industry. Obviously those with the ‘concepts and awareness’ drilled in can mix the creative juices within and come up with appealing presentations, for example, an animated commander on own screens or even the billboards that line our roads, and the websites that Pakistani youngsters have produced.

Nadym Khan, a private producer, is all for the injection of young, talented and trained blood into the industry. “It’s a fast growing field. You come up with something and your message will be delivered throughout the world in no time.

“When it comes to students, it is precisely for this reason that it becomes essential to give them ample work experience as well as on-hand training while they are studying. Theory will only get you to a certain level, but practicing what is learnt in classrooms will ensure the refined material. ‘Student’ who comes out after graduating has the confidence to tackle real world problems as well.

“It takes a lot of hard work. Media is no easy job. It comes with long, often stressful, hours and not a huge pay to start off with, but as long as one’s concepts are clear, there should not be a problem.”

All said and done, why was there a sudden surge in media-related jobs (until recently) and, as a result, an aspiration towards working in the field? One major reason, as mentioned before, is the charm of working in the so-called glamour world, be it television, radio or even a magazine. It forms an influencing factor among peers and a source of respect. But according to a few, it also gave them something different to choose from as not everyone in the world wants to be a doctor, lawyer or engineer.

However, experts are quick to warn newcomers against expecting reaping benefits from day one.

“It is a gradual process, and progression takes time. It should be given the time it deserves,” says Asma. “Speaking about our dramas again, we tend to shoot them and edit them in haste. Eagerness to put them in front of the audience often makes the editors and producers miss out on important tasks that could have improved the final quality of the product and maybe attracted the viewer for longer than it has.”

While advising a hearty dosage of patience and conscientiousness, Nadym reminds students that the world of media does not necessarily stop at a television channel or a radio station.

“There are a number of decent magazines that are being edited and produced locally. With students and professionals picking up new ideas courtesy the internet and exposure to the international world of media, we have seen great improvement in our print media as well. Magazines about twenty years ago tend to stick to the same design and format for eons. In recent years, electronic and print media switched to vibrant colours and new designs, and it is really refreshing to see all the emerging change,” Nadym said.

Speaking on the same topic, Asma pointed out that in the world of multimedia designing, there exist three fields: architecture, character animation, and product modeling. This meant that television, radio and magazines were not the only horizons creativity-aspiring individuals can venture towards. There is a lot of interior design, fashion designing and even engineering aspect of it to cater a lot of students.

However, for all that, there has to be formal training, commitment and a desire to succeed even with all the problems facing the world of media in Pakistan. Experts believe that the tools and hardware required for a delivery is a notable presentation that exists. But above all that we need to use the mind in a required manner.

Media boom all over the world can thank technology for its existence. Having tasted this boom, and hoping for more, it becomes all the more important for media institutes to work on the techie factor, if they want their students to assimilate easily in the work environment. As for the improvement in equipment and formats and an improved cash-flow and advent of technology, it is a task that the individual and the community has to undertake as a whole.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published in Sci-Tech World (DAWN newspaper) 17th Nov 2007