Howzzat!

CONTRARY to assumptions levied due to the given title, Men in White: A book of cricket is not actually a book but a collection of articles that Mukul Kesavan wrote for various publications, including Wisden Asia Cricket, the Telegraph and the Hindustan Times. Different from most cricket books available in bookstores, Men in White has taken purely a spectator’s point of view, instead of a former player’s. This particular spectator, however, did grow up playing street cricket, lived life through sport-related injuries, selected his cricket idols and, like every other person that has embraced cricket as part of his or her life, formed personal opinion when it came to players and events.

The author looks back at the journey of cricket, especially from an Indian perspective. From the days of cricket as a gentleman’s sport, the innovation that was live radio commentary, through the Packer saga, the problems the sport has faced; chucking, advent of technology, implementation of various rules (especially the headless ones that the ICC repeatedly keeps implementing) as well as an interview with the great Azharuddin.

Mukul is a pure Indian breed when it comes to cricket. His balanced view on certain events, however, defies his Indian blood. Apart from all the above, the book also takes us through Mukul’s life; from his younger days playing street cricket in Pandara Park, an expansively built colony in New Delhi, through the lack of test cricket between rivals India and Pakistan in the late ’60s, to how he believes he helped India win against Australia by keeping his eyes shut.

The most interesting thing about this book, and Mukul himself, is the manner in which opinions apart from the norm are brought up — although they might result in more than a few eyebrows being raised. For example, Ricky Ponting, Alan Donald, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara have been rated by the author as great players but not revolutionaries. Unlike them, Sanath Jayasuriya, Waqar Younis, Shane Warne and Jonty Rhodes are the exemplary modern day cricketers since they transformed orthodox cricket into something that offers that extra oomph and makes viewers sit up and notice. The same sort of thinking will get readers thinking as to how a player can be charged with misleading an umpire by falsely claiming a catch when he, in actual fact, did not even appeal for it.

Men in White has this wonderful way of making readers think, as the cliché goes, outside the box; away from the newspaper reports, the comments by the television pundits and what the wise peers advise them. There is this alternative suggestion to almost everything that has been witnessed on-field, and even off it: ‘The West Indies… that’s a country only fans can visit because it’s a figment of test cricket’s imagination. It assembles itself when 11 men walk down pavilion steps to play a test match.’

Men in White, while conforming to Australia’s status as world champions, regards the mighty West Indies of the past as the true pioneers of test cricket. It is not only the Richards, the Holdings, the Sobers and the Marshalls that have had their fair share of praise, but also the West Indies supporters, the fervent followers.

As for the Australians: ‘For my brother and me, [the Australians] were hard-nosed men. Feroz Shah Kotla, winter, the 1969-70 tour, the ball slipped out of the hand of an Indian bowler and dribbled to a stop halfway down the pitch. Doug Walters (or was it Ian Redpath?) walked up to the stationary ball and teed off for four runs. I didn’t grudge him that boundary, nor did I particularly resent the sledging and effing that the Aussies pioneered in the years afterwards, but it did make it harder for me to take contemporary Australian cricketers seriously when they spasmodically committed themselves to chivalry, fair play and the spirit of the game.’

It’s not everyday that a collection of sport-related pieces that have been published randomly can form a nice read as a collated piece. There exists a flow that only cricket could hold together. The pieces are not in chronological order however. This does make it rather confusing for the reader but that is what is expected of a collated material. However, since this is a ‘book on cricket’, readers generally will be aware of events and instances occurring on either side and will serve as backing knowledge to the piece.

The book contains a lot of history — a bit too much at times. Apt, as well as bread and butter for the avid India follower, the intricate details into the history lessons can have a slight wearisome effect on a not-so-Indian fan, especially someone from the other side of the border. And Mukul does not shy away from speaking his mind even when it isn’t in the best interest of an Indian fan.

Men In White is a pleasing insight into the world of cricket as seen by an ardent Indian follower who is more neutral, when it comes to acknowledging and delivering praise where its due, than most cricket lovers. A special mention on achievements by hard-working cricketers of the subcontinent, the book is a must-read for all cricket fans. For the Pakistani public specially, as Mukul Kesavan, if asked to make a choice between Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad to play for his life, will put his faith behind the great Miandad: ‘Cricket was combat for Miandad, and he never took a backward step.’

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published in Books & Authors (Dawn) 2nd Sept 2007

South Africa rely on top-order to fire

South Africa will be looking to depose New Zealand at the top of the table with a victory in this Group E match. Having lost their only international encounter against this opposition almost two years ago, a better performance with the bat is what Graeme Smith will be hoping for especially with his team being restricted to 154 against England. Inclusion of Herschelle Gibbs, fitness permitting, will only benefit the home side in their quest for the final four.

New Zealand might well decide to rest a few aching bodies after their close win against England, especially a struggling Jacob Oram who took a knock on his left hand as he dropped a return catch. However, Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, will want nothing less than a win to take the momentum through to his team's yet another semi-final appearance.

Bat play: South Africa's top order, bar their last match, has been in great form. JP Duminy, opening in place of Gibbs, failed to score in his second match after an impressive tournament debut against Bangladesh. Much will rely, as always, on Smith, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher before the power-hitting of Shaun Pollock and Justin Kemp steps in.

New Zealand's top order, however, failed miserably in their final match and it came down to Craig McMillan and Scott Styris to play the rescue act. However, Ross Taylor, who already has a half-century against his name in the tournament, and Brendon McCullum have both played mini cameos in the opening round but will need decent support in what will be a tougher bowling attack.

Wrecking ball: Shaun Pollock has been in-form of late, picking up five wickets in the last two matches being as miserly as ever. Makhaya Ntini, while being expensive, has not been as successful though and it will be down to the likes of the Morkel brothers and Vernon Philander to provide support.

New Zealand have fast bowling problems of their own. Mark Gillespie, after a four-wicket haul in the opening match, has failed to pick any wickets. Shane Bond, although economical, was not penetrative in the last match while either Chris Martin or Jacob Oram look set to make way for Jeetan Patel, the offspinner, who will partner Vettori, the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Keep your eye on: Albie Morkel and his long-range efforts with the bat. Already boasting a few of the tournament's longest hits, Morkel has a 20-ball 43 against his name and will fancy the pace of Gillespie and Bond to add to his tally of sixes.

Shop talk: According to Vettori: "It [captaincy in the Twenty20 game] is not easy ... because you don't know what you will run into. You might have the best of plans but they may all have to be discarded at the spur of the moment." While he sits and plans the next match, Smith will know that his team really do not want to leave qualification for the semi-final for the last match against India and would want to wrap up things under the Durban sun.

Pitching it right: The Durban pitch has already witnessed two close encounters; Pakistan v India and England v New Zealand. It will be South Africa's first match here and with conditions probably favouring pace and swing, the home team will want to make first use of it.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 18th Sept 2007

Sri Lanka may have the slight edge

Both New Zealand and Sri Lanka come into this match at the back of resounding wins over minnows Kenya. However, Sri Lanka will surely start favourites purely on the basis that their victory, a 172-run drubbing, was a tad more emphatic than the nine-wicket victory that New Zealand enjoyed.

The last time these two met, New Zealand came out with a five-wicket win chasing a mere 115. A classic bat-versus-ball extravaganza is promised in either innings with the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene against Shane Bond and Mark Gillespie and as the teams change over, it will be Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram against Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga.

Bat play: Jayasuriya (88 off 44) and Jayawardene (65 off 27) helped Sri Lanka post a world-record 260 against Kenya. Eleven sixes were hit as the Kenyans were simply overwhelmed by the masters of power-hitting. With Kumar Sangakkara and Jehan Mubarak waiting to cash in as well, Sri Lanka might well bat out the opposition in the first half if they win the toss.

New Zealand were unable to show off their prowess with the bat thanks mainly to their bowlers who restricted Kenya to 73. However, brief cameos from Vincent and Peter Fulton were enough to suggest presence of fire-power at the top. With the likes of Scott Styris and Jacob Oram coming in late in the day, New Zealand can get devastating with the bat.

Wrecking ball: Bond and Gillespie showed what they are capable of with the new ball, especially the latter who recorded best figures by a bowler in Twenty20 internationals. New Zealand not only have Chris Martin, Oram and Styris to come after, but also Daniel Vettori, their captain, who provides a strangle-hold option in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka will once again rely on Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Malinga to provide the initial breakthroughs followed by the ever-effective left-armers of Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan's off-breaks.

Keep your eye on: Jehan Mubarak who smashed 46 off only 13 deliveries with eight of them resulting in boundaries (five sixes and three fours). With a personal best of 94* in Twenty20s, who knows what a few more deliveries can lead to with him at the crease.

Shop talk: "We played smart cricket," Jayawardene said after Sri Lanka's win against Kenya. "When Sanath starts like that we are bound to have a big total on the board. The others chipped in as well." While Jayawardene will be hoping for more of the same, Vettori will be look towards not only his bowlers to outsmart Sri Lanka, but also his batsmen to get enough batting practice for the Super Eights.

Pitching it right: The memories will still be fresh from an absorbing night of cricket between India and Pakistan but with intermittent showers, the pitch might have absorbed wet elements as well. Batting might not be the easiest. Dry weather, however, is predicted for Saturday but do take cover in the stands in case Jayasuriya gets going.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 14th Sept 2007

Sri Lanka start overwhelming favourites

Kenya's hopes of repeating their heroics of the World Cup 2003 were swiftly swept aside in the first eleven balls of their match against New Zealand. With that record-loss, Kenya have only one victory in their last six Twenty20s including defeat at the hands of Uganda. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, could be classified as the masters of power-hitting, evident from their World Cup 1996 triumph. Their Twenty20 record has been patchy though, with their last match, a warm-up against Pakistan, ending in a five-wicket loss. A stroll under the Johannesburg sun looks on the cards given Sri Lanka's firepower, even without Muttiah Muralitharan, as Kenya might find it difficult to shake off the shambles they found themselves in a few days ago.

Bat play: A strong line-up comprising of Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara together with Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chaminda Vaas to provide late cameos (overs permitting), Sri Lanka can expect to put up a decent score if batting first. Expect an exceptionally quick scoring rate if the ball finds the middle of the bats.

Kenya, with a dismal team-aggregate of 73 in 17 overs against New Zealand can only hope that their batsmen have learned from their mistakes. Steve Tikolo, their captain, once again provides the best hope of the team posting a decent target, or surpassing one set by the opposition. Thomas Odoyo, the allrounder, can score a few quick ones with the tail if the situation demands.

Wrecking ball: Lasith Malinga, with a hugely successful 50-over World Cup behind him, will be more than a handful with his slingy side-arm action. Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando will also be not too far behind as Sri Lanka have plenty of resources in their fast-bowling department. With Jayasuriya, taking the lead in the spin department due to Murali's absence, to follow with his in-the-blockhole left-armers, scoring might prove a bit difficult for the Kenyans.

Not much was on display from the Kenyan bowling side in the seven overs they bowled during their last match, but much rests on the opening duo of Odoyo and Peter Ongondo. Rajesh Bhudia, although hugely unimpressive in his four-ball spell, might be able to sneak a few overs via his gentle pace but don't place your bets on it.

Keep your eyes on: Sanath Jayasuria, 38 years old but with an ODI strike-rate of 90 (which almost doubles to 174 in Twenty20 internationals), is sure to worry the Kenyan bowlers. A veteran of 398 ODIs, Jayasuriya's timing square of the wicket could prove useful especially with the short boundaries. His two efforts at Twenty20 have brought 92 runs with an unbeaten half-century as well as five wickets. His bowling towards the end of the innings will be as important as his batting at the start of it.

Shop talk: "We will need a lot of cool heads because the game is very fast," Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, had said on his arrival in South Africa. He is staying modest about his team's chances at the inaugural tournament in spite of having big names in the line-up. "It's going to be a challenge because we haven't played much Twenty20 cricket. And the shorter the version of the game, the more open it becomes for other teams."

Pitching it right: The weather outlook remains warm and sunny and expect plenty of runs with either team batting first. As seen in the match between West Indies and Bangladesh, wayward bowling can be a huge blessing and will not go unnoticed by the batsmen.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 13th Sept 2007

New Zealand should be a shoo-in

While New Zealand come into the match with a new captain and a well-deserved break after their run to the semi-final in the 50-over World Cup, the Kenyans are probably ruing their decision to host a Twenty20 quadrangular tournament in their own backyard; defeats against Pakistan and Bangladesh (though they did defeat the latter in the warm-ups) were probably forgotten when Kenya went down to Uganda as well. New Zealand, with Daniel Vettori at the helm, are one of the more experienced sides in Twenty20 terms though they will be without their influential captain Stephen Fleming, and three other players from the World Cup team.

Bat play: Brendon McCullum has given up his gloves to concentrate on his batting in the tournament while Jacob Oram's power-filled hitting looks all set to be utilised at the number three position. Scott Styris, New Zealand's most experienced Twenty20 player and their best at the World Cup in the West Indies, will be the most feared by the bowlers, fitness permitting.

For Kenya, Steve Tikolo, as in recent years, stands as their best hope. Alex Obanda, the 19-year old is considered a promising prospect with Thomas Odoyo, the allrounder who was recently voted ICC Associate Player of the Year, to follow down the order.

Wrecking ball: While New Zealand have the likes of Shane Bond, who is supported by Mark Gillespie, Jacob Oram and Scott Styris, there will be special emphasis on Vettori and Jeetan Patel, their two frontline spinners, to stem the flow of runs in the middle stages.

Kenya, meanwhile, will once again rely on Odoyo and Tikolo with Peter Ongondo, who recently impressed in the warm-ups, to provide support.

Keep your eyes on: Jacob Oram's prowess up the order will be a treat if he gets going, especially now that Chris Gayle has set the hard-hitting standards in the opening match. In the reverse innings, Shane Bond, if at full throttle, will be aiming for the base of middle stump.

Pitching it right: The Kingsmead pitch is likely to be fast and bouncy, fodder for Bond and Oram. While minnows have made it a habit to turn the tables when the world is watching, this encounter lacks the ingredients for an upset. Kenya's batting looks fragile against the fire-power that New Zealand possess.

New Zealand(likely): Brendon McCullum, Lou Vincent, Peter Fulton, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins (wk), Daniel Vettori (capt), Shane Bond, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel

Kenya (likely): David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Tanmay Mishra, Steve Tikolo (capt), Thomas Odoyo, Alex Obanda, Jimmy Kamande, Rajesh Bhudia, Maurice Ouma (wk), Nehemiah Odhiambo, Peter Ongondo

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 11th Sept 2007

Pakistan win despite Nazimuddin's heroics

A scintillating 81 off 50 deliveries by Nazimuddin briefly threatened an upset but lack of support from the other batsmen allowed Pakistan a comfortable victory over Bangladesh in the Quadrangular tournament. The early loss of fellow opener Tamim Iqbal did not deter Nazimuddin as he dispatched the much talked-about duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif to all parts of the Nairobi Gymkhana.

Iftikhar Anjum replaced Asif as early as the sixth over but 20 came off his first over as Bangladesh went past 50. The introduction of spin, however, paid dividends for the second time in the match as Shahid Afridi dismissed Aftab Ahmed and Mohammad Ashraful was run out in the following over. While Nazimuddin kept blazing, Afridi picked up another wicket to dry up the scoring from one end.

Nazimuddin was finally dismissed by Yasir Arafat after striking eight fours and five sixes, taking with him back to the pavilion Bangladesh's hopes of victory. Shoaib returned to pick up another wicket in his final over but the Pakistan bowling attack, for the second match running, failed to dismiss their opposition after their batsmen had piled up a huge total.

A 76-run opening partnership between Salman Butt and Imran Nazir and some firm hitting by Younis Khan and Afridi helped Pakistan to 191. Put in to bat by Ashraful, Pakistan's openers adopted aggression from the first ball. The Bangladesh bowlers, especially Mashrafe Mortaza, were bent upon bowling short and were dealt with severely. Pakistan's 50 came up in the fifth over which was blasted for 21 runs by Nazir, including a brace of fours and sixes. Nazir was eventually run out one short of his half-century but Younis, who dealt mainly in sixes, kept the run rate close to nine an over.

The introduction of spin slowed Pakistan's progress a tad and also brought the wicket of Butt who was cleaned up by Ashraful for 33. Shoaib Malik promoted himself up the order but only lasted six deliveries and scored 10. His dismissal, however, brought the crowd-favourite Afridi to the crease who had yesterday blasted a 50 off 18 deliveries in the previous match.

Content with giving Younis the strike, Afridi broke the shackles after being dropped by Ferhad Reza when on 2. A few sixes after Younis' dismissal (48 off 25 deliveries) gave not only the crowd more to cheer about but also gave Pakistan bowlers yet another solid platform to work with.

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published on Cricinfo 2ndrd Sept 2007

Of maidens, and forming partnerships

A relieved set of fans

Old Trafford, the Lancashire County Cricket Club's ground, hosted a huge Arctic Monkeys show last month, which was attended by over 100,000 people. However, the complaints from the Lancashire and Hampshire contingents during their four-day match in the days following the show were not about a dug-up outfield or a spoiled pitch as may have been expected, but rather the smell of urine that hung over the ground. Apparently many of the Monkeys' fans had relieved themselves on the grass instead of in the portaloos provided - to such an extent that parts of the pitch were flooded by wee. According to eyewitnesses: "Men were peeing into empty pint glasses and emptying the contents on the outfield, and women were squatting to pee due to long toilet queues." However, the organisers were blamed by a few for providing only about 40 toilets for the masses present, thus causing the smelly situation. "The main worry for the fielding side was when it came to having to shine the ball," Nic Pothas, the Hampshire wicketkeeper, observed.

Bowling maidens over

Speaking of Pothas, he was one of 11 Hampshire players who stripped down to their bats, pads and gloves for a calendar photo shoot in an attempt to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation. England allrounder Dimitri Mascarenhas was another. Although international stars Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne were not involved, the rest will have a month each to themselves on the 2008 calendar that goes on sale shortly for £9.99.

The covered pitch

Still in England: a cricket match between the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club was played on a pitch that "emerges" only once a year. The half-hour game started at sunrise on Brambles Bank, a sand bank that occurs annually on the lowest tide. The Yacht Club won by 10 runs after scoring 33 in the allotted five overs before the sea swallowed up the pitch. Inmates from Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight originally used to play on the Bank in the 1950s (their prison officers secure that their charges could not escape) but the sailing clubs took over the tradition in 1984. How does the curator keep himself busy rest of the year, one wonders.

Up your sleeve

Innovation has always been Australia's favourite pastime (other than winning cricket matches, of course). In yet another revolutionary step, the Australian cricket team will be wearing Adidas-manufactured sleeveless attire at the forthcoming Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa. Ricky Ponting praised the contemporary design and agreed that the new uniform blended in well with the Twenty20 idea. According to the manufacturers, the new uniform will not only provide players with increased muscle support and power (due to the aluminium coloured compression layer), the breathable fabric will keep them comfortable at any temperature and allow them to perform at their peak. How big a gap will this create between the mighty Australians and the rest of the sleeved world?

Forming a partnership

While Old Trafford reeked of urine, the administration at Hove was planning to install wedding bells at the ground since it had been granted a license to hold civil wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. Located close to the seafront, the oldest county ground in England will soon host wedding ceremonies overlooking the cricket pitch through floor-to-ceiling windows. With the covered premises and indoor lighting, even rain or bad light will not cause "matches" to be called off.

Quotehanger

"I really admire what they do, but to be honest I don't fancy facing a ball at 89 miles an hour."
Dietmar Hamann, the Manchester City footballer (previously of Liverpool fame), talks of his interest in cricket ... from a distance

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published on Cricinfo 3rd Sept 2007

Field of dreams

Mukul Kesavan is the author of Men in White: A Book of Cricket, Looking Through Glass, and Secular Common Sense. While Looking Through Glass is a novel that takes place at the heart of the Hindu-Muslim riots during the independence era as narrated through an anonymous photographer, in Secular Common Sense (a political tract) Mukul argues that secularism is, and always has been, the political common sense of the Indian republic. The third book Men In White: A Book of Cricket, however, is, as the name suggests, all about cricket; with a history of how the game has fared and progressed through the years, the advent, and implementation, of technology, as well as profiles of various Indian heroes to have donned the whites.

Fervent cricket fan and writer, Mukul says he ‘wanted to become a particular kind of author, a novelist, because reading fiction was the thing that gave me the most pleasure as a child. So, I wrote a novel on the partition of the subcontinent called Looking Through Glass and then a short book on politics and religion in India called Secular Common Sense.’

As for the inspiration for and objective behind Men In White, he says: ‘Men in White is a good example of how an ambitious magazine can encourage particular sorts of non-fiction writing. I had written the odd piece on cricket when, in the year 2000, Wisden Asia Cricket (WAC), a monthly magazine, began publishing out of Bombay. It carried vivid, informed and adventurous writing about cricket which was literate without being self-consciously literary. I knew I was never going to set aside time to write a book on cricket, so writing regularly for WAC (that later mutated into the Cricinfo magazine) seemed a way of making that book painlessly. Once I got going, I wrote about cricket for other newspapers and magazines, but in the main it was contingent upon WAC just happening.’

Luckily he has not had to face any problems publishing his books: ‘Not publishing, just writing them and that is the hard part! I sent my novel off to an agent in London who agreed to represent me and sold it there and elsewhere. The next two books, both non-fictions, were published by Penguin India. Permanent Black, an Indian imprint that mainly publishes academic work, will publish a collection of essays I have written over several years that is called The Ugliness of the Indian Male and Other Findings. I am lucky to be writing at a time when a generation of Indian writing in English has helped create an audience and a professional book publishing industry in the country.’

As for the act of writing itself he admits, ‘My difficulty has been falling into a productive routine. I should have a structured writing day, but so far I have not had one. I’ve written in fits and starts, in little bursts, which is not a good way to set about ambitious writing. I am trying to reform so I can get to the end of my second novel.’

His readers, however, have had no complaints: ‘The reviews have been enthusiastic and readers enjoyed reading the book. I have had a couple of mistakes unearthed by alert readers (in one instance, I got the name of a cricket stadium wrong!) which should make the paperback version of the book better. But all in all, the response has been pleasing so far. I was shortlisted for a couple of best first novel prizes when Looking Through Glass was published. The Yorkshire Post award for Best First Novel and the Los Angeles Times prize for the same category. Unfortunately, I didn’t win either.’

Listing the books and authors that have inspired him, he says ‘Sticking to cricket, I think the three best cricket books I have read are Beyond a Boundary by CLR James, Anyone but England by Mike Marqusee, and A Corner of a Foreign Field by Ramachandra Guha.

‘However, the book that prompted me to write Men In White was a book about baseball, Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville, a book by the great paleontologist and evolutionary theorist, Stephen Jay Gould. For every deluded fan who thinks he can make up for his hopelessness with the bat and ball with his blinding insights into the game, this is the book to read for encouragement! It’s a great example of how a first-rate mind trained to consider matters scientific, can light up a game using the same attitude of disciplined curiosity.’

Like the majority of cricket followers around the world, the author has also formed an opinion of Australia; the worthy world champions but not everyone’s favourites due to their on-field behaviour, their pompous attitude (they do have a right to that, mind you) and the respect (or lack of) shown towards their competitors. However, as before, like most people who have been following the real cricket, from its glory days, before the Packer invasion, before the advent of technology, and before the 13-degree bend became a topic of conversation, he rates the mighty West Indies as the true soul-bearers of test cricket.

‘About the Australians there’s no question that they are bona fide world champions. You would have to be daft to be in denial about that. However, I do think that they are unattractive compared to their predecessors, the West Indies, but that’s separate from the fact that they’re indisputably number one. They have, after all, won the World Cup three times in a row.’

And as for his greatest cricket moment, ‘That, I can safely say, has to be V.V.S. Laxman’s 281 against Australia in Calcutta during the 2001 test series. That innings helped India beat Australia after following-on in that match and eventually helped them take the series 2-1 against a team which had won 16 (or was it 17?) tests in a row up until that point.’

Apart from writing, Mukul also teaches social history at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, as well as blogging on Cricinfo. According to him, his ‘credentials for writing about the game are founded on a spectatorial axiom: distance brings perspective’ as he is fond of the game, but only from a distance. He has a large readership on Cricinfo and attracts a horde of comments on every post he makes, be it on India’s coach selection, or the worthy successor to the throne of the ICC (a post that came about as a reply to an article by one of Cricinfo’s editors, and got the world involved). It helps when you have been to the media gallery at Lord’s.

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published in Books & Authors (Dawn) 26th Aug 2007

It's rocking!

An awe-inspiring finale to a constructive and colourful festival; Rock Your Shanaakht not only drew the largest — and most vociferous — of crowds but also witnessed thunderous applause from seated guests that would have seldom graced that indoor auditorium.

With the inspiring Shanaakht backdrop, the stage lineup consisted of Taal Kharisma, Ali Alam, Zeb & Haniya with ADP’s collaborative efforts with the latter two before their own virtuoso performance. Saad Haroon, father and former member of Blackfish, was handed the responsibility of hosting the event and a 20-minute slot to get the audience’s stomachs rolling before they got their heads banging.

Initiating the euphonic passage of play, Taal Kharisma, a group of final-year students at National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), captivated the public with an intro that consisted of tapping hands on knees, blown-up cheeks and the snapping of fingers. All in a rhythm, of course. With Gul Mohammad on the sarangi, Farhan Anwar on keyboards, Ahsan Bari on guitar and Josh Fernandez on percussions and drums, there was plenty of instruments, sounds and activities to watch out for as displayed in the brief on-stage stint with C’est La Vie and Soul.

A short delay hindered the proceedings (providing a deserving break) as the equipment was ushered off and the stage revamped to a more standing, and vocal, act of Ali Alam (remember Ganda Banda?). Taking lead, Ali, assisted by Omar Bilal Akhtar (OBA) on guitars and backing vocals, Yasir Qureshi, the maestro Darbukian and the menacingly ferocious drumbeats of Omar Khalid, dived in right away. An apt delivery of Jaanay Walay and Raat Jagi shoved the soothing and calm atmosphere that previously prevailed due to Taal Kharisma. Hum Na Rahay, Ali Alam’s final performance of the night, however, sent cronies head-banging and speaker cones begging for mercy as Rock took centre stage.

Perhaps to calm things down or maybe the need for pretty faces was pressingly felt, Zeb & Haniya were introduced to the Karachi audience for the very first time. As pertinently put forward to the world by the act, Z&H were not just two pretty ladies from Lahore and Islamabad (well, they are, but there is more). Performing Rona Chor Diya, the blues-inspired Aitebaar and rounding thing off with Chup, which had the audience shushing each other for a long time, the duo had a pleasant and glitch-free synch not only between themselves, but also the supporting cast of ADP. Zeb & Haniya had clearly gained admirers in Karachi as well.

As the pony-tailed Imran Lodhi appeared with a smile to join his ADP members, the crowd braced themselves for a clobbering of culmination to the event. OBA, with his pre-concert verdict of “it’s going to be one hell of a night” did his all to stick to that. And succeed he did. Opening with Sultanat, which has hit the radio waves and television screens by a storm, ADP once again stimulated an excellent night of rock to a truly exceptional one. A solo by OBA, lead by Imran, conjury of the often-forgotten Yasir and brief solo by Omar Akhtar comprised ADP’s sojourn on-stage.

And then came Meray Dost. Probably the loudest and the most complete single by the band, a pruned (from 19 minutes to about five minutes) version of Meray Dost not only allowed for individual brilliances, but a sign-off to an event that should have enlightened Karachiites about the history of the nation, providing that much inspiration to be a part of a better future.

© Faras Ghani 2007

Published in Images (Dawn) 19th Aug 2007

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