The countdown that was

The Last Days of The Raj depicts the struggle faced by not only the once-knotted community of India that comprises Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, but also the British forces in getting the Congress and Muslim League to reach a compromise when it came to dividing India.

This Channel4 documentary is sure to be centre of a few controversies. With insights from people within touching distance of the likes of Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah, The Last Days of The Raj depicts the rush of blood that forced hasty decisions, including the appointment of Sir Cyril Radcliffe to draw out the borders. Radcliffe, it must be mentioned, had never been to India before and had only read about the wonders, the conflicts and the amount at stake.

Featuring Gandhi’s grandson, Nehru’s niece, an All India Radio presenter and a presence from the Mountbatten abode, we not only get personal opinions of what should and should not have happened, but also what was supposed to happen and did not; from the days when the Muslims and Hindus were fighting to rid India of the British monarch, to the presenting of the Two-Nation theory. And from how Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim voice, termed a westerner due to his attire and lifestyle, to how he suddenly changed to a more accepted set of clothing (and a Jinnah cap), we see the tragedy that befell the suffering public as Partition was brought forward by over 10 months.

Much of the first-half is about Lord Mountbatten convincing Jinnah to drop the idea of a separate nation. With Gandhi offering Jinnah the position of prime minister, an order reluctantly accepted by the Nehru-led Congress after warning Gandhi of severe consequences by the masses, a truce was in sight. However, with Jinnah’s repeated refusals led by “the cow I wish to eat is worshipped by the Hindus and every time I shake a Hindu’s hand, he needs to wash it” left Mountbatten with no choice but to allow Radcliffe to draw the lines behind closed doors.

Not knowing what side of the border their homes may end up, a chaos was given birth to. Swords were drawn to slay the opposition; Sikhs were killed by Muslims, a severe retaliation saw the tide turn the other way as well. Trains full of emigrants attacked and no one spared. Wives, sisters and daughters were attacked and raped as the men were cut open. With over a million people killed and over 14 million displaced, the Partition days brought more misery and bloodshed than during the entire British rule over India.

The Last Days of The Raj depicts a balanced view of what happened during Partition and how the British found India in a disastrous state and left it worse off. It is a story of many individuals with conflicting desires, a story of sacrifices, and a story strange decision-making.

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published in Images (Dawn) 19th Aug 2007

Loose cannon

There’s never a dull moment in Shoaib Akhtar’s life. He is always in the news for one reason or the other. Sometimes it is his shaky fitness that forces him not to play international cricket and on other occasions he is facing some kind of charge that keeps him under the spotlight.

The latest being that Shoaib has been fined $3,000 for leaving the fitness and training camp early at the National Stadium, Karachi, and without seeking the manager’s approval as well as not being present at the disciplinary hearing. The camp comprised fitness drills as well as practice Twenty20 matches between the two probable teams in order to prepare for the forthcoming inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.

As he returned to international cricket after a long lay-off due to injury and a ban related to charges of using performance-enhancing drugs, Shoaib was, as expected, eager to prove a point. The point, however, was dismissed ruthlessly by the surprisingly assertive batsmen on the opposing team who, for a change, looked in command while out in the middle. The show of power owed much, though, to the flat track and the scorching Karachi afternoons that had deprived the speed-merchant of the vigour and zeal that’s associated with his bowling.

Add to all of that, the question mark over his fitness. Shoaib faced a severe case of dehydration and was ushered back to the caring hands of the trainer in the dressing room. What followed was a broken mirror, a complaint of a stiff neck and Shoaib was never again witnessed at the camp.

The team of selectors then announced the 15-man squad to board the plane to South Africa for the championship and Shoaib’s name, along with many others’ whose wasn’t, made the headlines. Shoaib has played only a solitary day of Test cricket and a handful of ODIs in the last 14 months. He was pulled out from the Champions Trophy after a urine sample proved he had taken nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug. Different versions were presented to the jury as to why and how that substance made its way into his, and Mohammad Asif’s, body. And as we all saw, Shoaib and Asif were cleared.

What followed was a day in the field against South Africa where we all thought Shoaib was back. A satisfying performance and a televised argument later (with the coach Bob Woolmer at the time), Shoaib was back on the stretcher again. Omitted from the West Indies-bound team for the World Cup due to injury concerns (although the nandrolone-factor won more votes from the doubters) Shoaib’s career was sliding back into oblivion, as far as his cricket was concerned, at least.

As with injuries with him before, Shoaib emerged confident and ‘fitter’, although he wasn’t selected for the Abu Dhabi tour and was later dropped from the Asian XI squad for fitness reasons and was said to be carrying extra baggage after the training camp in Abbottabad. The determination and the will to prove them wrong took Shoaib on a rectification path and the lighter international load allowed him to ‘invest time in himself’.

Shoaib’s attitude has always been mystifying. Even his peers have taken to that. Inzamam’s public outburst against him during the home series against England, when he ‘chose’ not to bowl and was duly able to smack a few around the ground, being the prime example. Shoaib has been tagged his own man, an individual, a spotlight-hogger. He, in my opinion, with over 370 international wickets and a horde of bruises that he inflicted on batsmen (physically and psychologically) does deserve some.

Shoaib’s aggression off the field, however, remains mysterious and bewildering. However, it’s the attitude of those who don’t know him and still choose to comment is more shocking. The mirror incident at the training camp was a frustration-venting act. The alleged violence and usage of obscene language at the PCB headquarters that landed him the latest of his fines was apparently brewed by an official’s tone while speaking to his family. However, what the world saw was a broken mirror and heard an array of foul words.

Going by the one-off meeting, I would say Shoaib is just about as human as any of us. He had aspired to become the world’s fastest bowler. He has had problems within his playing circle and even during his short stint with county cricket. Some say he chases fame and doesn’t concentrate on cricket. They probably haven’t seen Shoaib standing in the Edinburgh rain signing autographs for youngsters as well as imparting cricket knowledge to them.

Shoaib once told someone, “Everyone says 11 men make a winning team. They don’t. It’s the fast bowlers that win you matches.”

He has certainly proved that in the past. The public awaits another glimpse of that, maybe not in the dramatic form of shelling Brian Lara on all fours or the infamous Kolkata (Calcutta) inswingers to Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, but in the form of speed, aggression and most importantly, the sight of Shoaib donning the green and whites, on a regular basis.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published in Magazine (Dawn) 19th Aug 2007

In tune with future

While attendance at this year’s ITCN Asia International Conference and Exhibition remained low, the intermittent monsoon showers to be blamed for that, the quality of visitors and the legitimacy of interest was as deplorable as previous years.

The exhibition, in its seventh year of running, comprised over 320 stalls occupied by 130 exhibitors that, which were attended by over 10,000 visitors including international and local corporate guests and delegates, IT professionals, investors as well as students. There also existed, in large majority, the fervent fun-loving individuals who had braved the threatening and testing weather conditions to attend the exhibition in anticipation of yet another freebie galore as it rained bags, pens, badges and T-shirts. All this, while some families enjoyed a day out.

Contradicting this, Ashar Noman, speaking on behalf of Ecommerce Gateway, the event organisers, said: “We do get a fair few uninterested people whose sole purpose in life is to enter empty-handed and leave with whatever free stuff, including leaflets, they can get their hands on. However, majority of visitors witnessed in these halls are genuinely interested personnel who visit ITCN, the exhibition and conference, to get enlightened on new happenings in the technology world.”

ITCN, according to him, allows the smaller companies and individuals to witness technology, and its advent and spread under one roof that would otherwise be impossible for them to see or even hear about otherwise.

“Since we invite foreign companies and delegates to this exhibition, our visitors get to see how people in foreign countries think and how they use the tools and knowledge available to them. You can’t expect these people to visit events such as these abroad for reasons that are obvious.”

But does it really help the smaller companies located in Pakistan? According to a few present at the exhibition, yes.

“ITCN gives us a chance to present our products and solutions to customers and well as the general public in a collective manner,” a spokesperson for Amyn Associates confirmed. “Neither do we need to go out and advertise hoping that a customer pays heed and visits us, nor do we have to wait till someone actually requires those services or products. Being present at this exhibition, it enables a company like ours to approach them and make them aware of our existence and services and by offering special discount, we not only increase our sales instantly, but also build a stable customer-base for the future.”

Amyn Associates seemed to have greatly benefited from their presence at ITCN last year as well with a reported 40 per cent increase in sales resulting directly from the exhibition. However, the consensus on the level of interest in technology within the crowd is agreed as previously.

“Although we tend to benefit due to the presence of genuinely interested people in the crowd, I would say that only 30 per cent of what you see here can be counted as part of that.”

So why have such a huge event if only 30 per cent are interested?

“Because the scope of information technology in Pakistan is now huge,” Ashar said. “You have a neighbouring country like India as a technology giant and you have China breathing down as well. There is no way Pakistan can afford to stay too far back anymore.”

It is perhaps due to that vision that the city government decided to establish the IT Complex in Karachi. Due to be completed in 2008, as hoped by CDGK officials present at ITCN, it will not just be the exterior structure that will dazzle one and all.

“Even though the project is entirely funded by foreign investment, the companies operating in the premises will all be local. There will be call centres, IT departments and small companies who will get the guidance as well as exposure to take their business, and Pakistan’s economy forward, and in turn, increase the level of interest and awareness in the public,” a CDGK spokesman said.

With so much effort being put into how things are shaping up for the future in terms of infrastructure and technology, students, the future workforce, were being treated indifferently at the event.

“The event is closed for general public and students are not allowed to visit in uniforms,” the organisers told us. “This is due to reluctance on international delegates’ part as they deem it unprofessional.”

A bizarre statement and strategy given that up till now, it was all about how these companies and the events can help draw a better future for Pakistan’s IT industry. However, the fair few students who did manage to make it past security had mostly positive response for an event they were not the centre of attention.

“It is an excellent opportunity for us to come across the technology that is shaping the world today, something that we would never have been able to fall upon otherwise,” said a 2nd-year engineering student.

According to a computer science student, such events not only create awareness in the public, especially students who are aspiring towards creating their own software and hardware, but also come face-to-face with it. This is far better than reading about it on the internet or watching them on a television programme.”

Sir Syed Institute of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) seemed to have benefited well from ITCN. Final-year students who have had their projects displayed in the exhibition have, in the past, been approached by professionals present at the event and handed internship opportunities, guidance and even permanent employment offered to them.

“Here, we don’t have to go running around searching for the right contacts and the right channels. We have people head-hunting and by presenting our projects to them, we get the chance to interact with the right person without wasting time,” a SSUET student said.

Emphasis on students had formed a general trend even with the entry restrictions that had been placed. Arena Multimedia, for example, had set up a stall to offer guidance and information on how multimedia (three-dimensional and video) had now taken off and how imperative it was for technology students to be aware and in command of that.

“Media is the fastest growing sector in Pakistan. With new television channels, production houses and magazines cropping up, requirement for design has increased considerably,” Asma Fazil, a multimedia instructor, said.

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) had also thought of it as a worthy venture to set up a stall with 18 of its partner companies. However, theirs seemed to be a lackadaisical affair, with minimal interest due to the lack of giveaways.

The Marketing Officer for PSEB, Ayesha Ahmed, was quite aware of the situation, both in terms of how Pakistan is faring in the technology world and how freebies play an essential part of drawing crowds.

“Out of the 40 per cent people that are actually interested in what the companies really have to offer apart from freebies, students have made up a big number. Freebies do, however, play an integral role in bringing people to your stalls. From then on, it is the quality of information that you disseminate that keeps or breaks their attention.”

On initial thoughts, ITCN Asia provided an entertainment mode for the otherwise starved Karachiites. However, the amount of information gained from the experts solely depended on the individuals seeking it. And even though the telecom companies gathered the largest crowds, an ardent hoard of cronies, thanks mainly to the ample supply of T-shirts and caps, there was vital information being etched onto the visitors’ brains. Increasing the level of awareness is a gradual process and has to be undertaken in a sly manner. The methods chosen appeared crummy, but were effective as now a commoner knew that a mobile phone can be used for functions other than calls and text messaging.

And even though this writer left the event without any freebies (perhaps the only one), there prevailed a serene level of satisfaction that the future of information technology in Pakistan is on the road to recovery at a decent pace.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published in Sci-tech World (Dawn) 18th Aug 2007

Yousuf and Razzaq omitted from Twenty20

Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq have been omitted from the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.

Misbah-ul-Haq, back in the side after three years in the wilderness, and Fawad Alam, the talented young allrounder, have been chosen as replacements while left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who took a hat-trick in the last of the practice matches in Karachi, also makes a comeback.

"Mohammad Yousuf is a world-class player. However, we have decided to give him a break because we want him fit and fresh for the following series and include some new faces for the South Africa tour," Salahuddin Ahmed, chief selector, said.

Yousuf was not disappointed at being left out of the team and was confident that it would not affect his long-term future. "Selection was in God's hands and I can't force myself into the team." When asked if he felt he could perform in this format of the game, Yousuf said: "You will have to ask the selectors".

While Misbah has not represented Pakistan for over three years, his record in the shortest version of the game, including an unbeaten century, impressed the selectors. Alam also had a phenomenal domestic Twenty20 tournament last year that included a half- century and a five-wicket haul in the final.

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 7th Aug 2007

Ocean's 13 review

Ocean’s Thirteen is a sequel; that should pretty much send a waft your way as to how the movie fared in front of reviewers. And as with the majority of sequels aired recently, Shrek The Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and the like, the hype and the level of expectations have comfortably taken top spot, even if the cast includes Brad Pitt, George Clooney and, for the first time in the series, Al Pacino.

The idea behind Ocean’s Thirteen is slightly different this time round; the gang re-assembles for the second time but not to rob anybody. Instead, they plan on scamming hotel magnate Willie Banks (Al Pacino) who has just double-crossed their very own Reuben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould). While Reuben takes to the bed in his mansion for the bulk of the duration, his cronies take up the task of not only enjoying the glamorous life that is Vegas (its panache and zeal rendered marvelously by director Steven Soderbergh), but also flim-flamming their ardent foe Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) into lending them a helping hand - and more.

Ocean’s Thirteen lacks heavily on female cast. There is no Julia Roberts or Catherine Zeta-Jones this time round. Not physically at least. Though Danny Ocean (Clooney) does throw in a reference to the latter during the initial phase of the film with a “it’s not her fight”, the void is filled substantially by the well-presented Abigail Sponder (Ellen Barkin) who plays assistant to the despot Banks and plays an involuntary aid to the men at a later stage.

While Danny and Rusty (Brad Pitt) play ringleaders once again, there is hardly a detailed role for any of the crew members due to the deployment of a massive cast. As with its predecessors, the film offers short cameos for its lead cast including Danny and Rusty. Frank Catton (Bernie Mac) gets confided to the tables, Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) plays a slightly non-serious role this time round and even has time for a padded-nosed seduction persona as Yen (Shaobo Qin) finds himself jumping around amongst the elevators.

With such a star-studded crew, however, Soderbergh’s work is pretty much done for him as far as the action is concerned. It is only because of that, he can indulge in the lavishness of portraying the mighty Vegas as mentioned above as well as a bit of Mexico, due to the dice requirements at the Banks casino. Ocean’sThirteen is an action-packed film: there's imagination, intellect, tenderness, awe as well as ample serving of wittiness to be admired. However, low on the challenge offered by the opposition, be it physical or the noetic constraints levied onto the thirteen in order to complete the mission, the film glides mostly one-way.

The moral of the story, as worded plainly by Kit Bowen, is: Mess with an Ocean, you get pummeled by the waves. The waves might be the strongest out in the market, but with the creativity and deftness on display, a spare weekend can only benefit from this offering. As does a charity with Benedict’s generosity.

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published in Images (Dawn) 22nd Jul 2007

Swapping countries, a monkey attack, and Monty's flavour

Pitching for a place in the team

Everybody's doing it - in rugby, in football, the Kolpak players, Ed Joyce. Next, suitably inspired, Saqlain Mushtaq? The master offspinner and termed by many as the inventor of the doosra recently took to the field in Sussex whites after qualifying as a British citizen. England's search for a world-class performer in the spin department and Saqlain's craving for international action could see him don the three lions shirt as early as next year. "It now depends how desperate I am for the big comeback," he said. By the looks of things, very.

Had enough of cricket? Here, have some more

There's good news for cricket followers in the UK. Following the series against West Indies and India, Britain is set to host the 2007 Indoor Cricket World Cup. The event, to be held in Bristol during the last week of September, was launched last week and has confirmed participation from nine countries. The sixth version of the biennial tournament is slated to be the biggest, with junior teams also competing for a trophy of their own. "You can play indoor cricket during the off season to keep your skills sharp," commented Syd Lawrence, president of the England Indoor Cricket Association. Well, at least with this version there won't be rain stoppages as a result of the wonderful "summer" we've seen so far.

Monty adds to his artillery

Adding to the joy of cricket fans in the UK, Walkers have announced a new flavour of crisps - chilli and lemon. The product, specially designed for the UK's growing south Asian population, boasts packaging that features information in Hindi. And considering that the likes of Gary Lineker - who has been the face of Walkers since 1995 - surely won't be able to stand all that spice, Walkers have looked for an alternative and found ... Monty Panesar! The new crisps will be launched with a massive marketing campaign featuring radio ad spots with Monty, an appearance at the Asian Lifestyle Show, and giveaways at cricket matches. Monty himself described the whole thing as a new challenge and predicted its success with the UK's Asian communities.

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 16th Jul 2007

Naved-ul-Hasan surprised at Twenty20 omission

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Sussex and Pakistan swing bowler, has said that he was surprised at his omission from Pakistan's 30-man squad for the Twenty20 World Championship. The squad will be trimmed to 15 by mid-August and includes Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Mohammad Sami in the fast bowling department.

Naved-ul-Hasan, who is enjoying yet another successful season with Sussex, last played for Pakistan in the opening match of the 2007 World Cup against West Indies and was not only dropped for the subsequent matches but also omitted for the tours to Abu Dhabi and Scotland. In between the tours, the team had one training and fitness camp and is currently involved in another, with neither squad involving Naved-ul-Hasan.

"I have not been told anything by anyone," Naved told Cricinfo. "After playing that World Cup match against West Indies, I was told that I will be rested for the following match and I've been unable to get back into the team ever since."

Naved-ul-Hasan, with 40 wickets for Sussex this season, was termed Pakistan's main strike weapon in ODIs during the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. "I'm definitely disappointed at getting the snub from the selectors especially after getting the Man-of-the-Series award against West Indies [December 2006]. I didn't perform too well on the South Africa tour and had one bad match in the World Cup. However, I don't think that is reason enough for me to be left out altogether."

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 15th Jul 2007

It's match-on in the stands

Rahul Dravid in his press conference on Monday made a point that the Glasgow crowd will not be as vociferous and dynamic, in size and activity, as, say, Kolkata or Karachi. He was right, in one way at least. Clyesdale Cricket Club in Glasgow is no Eden Gardens or National Stadium; in size, in capacity and noise levels.

However, bring an Indian team and a Pakistani team to any ground in the world and you will see the colours and hear the noise rarely witnessed outside the subcontinent. The lineup includes blowhorns, face painting and dhol with dedicated cronies performing their bhangra while dancing away. Witnessed regularly in India, Pakistan, England, and even Canada, the cricket fever has now gripped Scotland.

And while the start of the match was pushed back, it was left to the fervent crowd, that had braved heavy rain and puddles en route the stadium, to have a contest of their own. Pakistan and India were playing each other on Scottish soil for the first time and hence their respective followers pitted against each other for the first time as well.

From the pavilion end, it is the Indian attack - equipped with a dhol and donning replica jerseys and greeting their squad announcements done on the PA with drumrolls, dholrolls rather. Seated on the opposite end of the ground, it was the green contingent. No talented dhol-bangers spotted there but just an array of blowhorns and plenty of boos in reply to the Indian cheers, as the Pakistani support took guard.

Match on.

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 3rd Jul 2007

Rusty Pakistan ready for buoyant India

It may be termed The Friendship Cup and it may be organised by a group of charities while celebrating two nations' 60 years of independence but, when the likes of Tendulkar, Akhtar, Dravid and Afridi emerge from their respective dressing rooms on Tuesday, the word "friendship" will surely be forgotten.

The teams last met in the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi, where honours were shared. Fourteen months on, however, the teams assemble in unknown territory (neither side have played an international match in Glasgow), in conditions very different to Abu Dhabi (damp and below 20C) and with contrasting run-ups to the showdown.

The Pakistan team is severely lacking in match practice. Their last competitive outing was in May against Sri Lanka. Since then, they've had a two-week conditioning camp in order to work on the players' fitness levels as well as a few practice matches. Their one-off ODI against Scotland was washed out on Sunday, depriving them of yet another opportunity to gear up for Tuesday's game.

Shoaib Malik, Pakistan's captain, is nervous about facing India for the first time at the helm and is also worried about his team's lack of competitive opportunities. "India obviously have an advantage over us as they have had the opportunity to play in the last month or so. However, we have experienced players like Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar and their return is a good sign for our young team."

While refusing to comment on the drugs ban issue, Malik welcomed the prospect of seeing Akhtar partner Mohammed Asif with the new ball once again. "Both Akhtar and Asif are our best bowlers and the conditions will be ideal for fast bowling. Hopefully, these two will deliver what is required of them."

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 2nd Jul 2007

Play abandoned after intermittent rain

The one-off ODI between Scotland and Pakistan was abandoned due to persistent rain without a ball being bowled. The match was due to start at 10:45am local time but was delayed due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. As the teams arrived, the officials decided to have an inspection at 12noon local time after which the playing conditions were to be decided.

Minutes before the inspection, however, heavy rain resulted in an early lunch that never finished as the umpires and the match referee deemed that the outfield and the weather would not improve in time to get in the minimum requirement of 20 overs.

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© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 1st Jul 2007