- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
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Many thanks to [MENTION=491]IMMY69[/MENTION] for his time (and patience) in answering these questions - hope you all enjoy reading it in the same way I have 
PakPassion.net: Which English football team do you support, and why?
IMMY69: The football team that I support? Arsenal! I’m a Gooner through and through. My love for Arsenal started in the late 70's. It was PE time at school and our teacher announced we’d be playing a game of football for the entire lesson. He divided up the class into teams and handed out shirts. One team wore White and the other red. I got the red shirt.
PakPassion.net: As a business owner, what advice would you give to young start-ups / side-hustles ?
IMMY69: The important thing is to find out what you enjoy doing and throw yourself 100% in to it. Doesn't matter what the trade is, if you enjoy doing it, learn it inside out and work hard then opportunities come your way.
I started my career as a junior shipbroker and really threw myself in to it. Got as much as I could out of broking and then worked for a ship owner followed by a grain trading company. Then after 12 years of experience I, along with my two partners, set up our own business.
I tried to learn from every Boss I had and a couple of things they said really stood out. For example, in any successful business your real assets walk in to the building at 8am and then walk out at 6pm. So employ smart, hard working people and back them as they are the best assets you can ever have. I have no hesitation in saying that the partners I did business with were the greatest assets in our company.
My next Boss recommended I read a book called Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. The book really resonated with me and went some way in getting me to where I am now. By the time a retired from shipping (7 years ago) I already had a small portfolio of properties and have continued to grow that business since them.
The main thing for me was that I never found it a chore and really enjoyed the trade I was in for 20 odd years and I'm fortunate enough to continue doing something that I enjoy albeit in a completely different field.
PakPassion.net: Your all-time favourite boxer and best memory as fan of the sport?
IMMY69: Let me begin by saying that I am definitely a casual fan of the sport. My favourite all-time boxer has to be Mohamed Ali – I was a small toddler but I can vividly remember my whole family congregating at our home in Karachi. All my cousins, aunts and uncles screaming ‘Ali, Ali, Ali’. It was 1974 and the Rumble in the Jungle.
Throughout the Eighties we would watch BBC1 Saturday Night Boxing and the then rising heavy weight, none other than Frank Bruno. The man was knocking out everyone in his path and was the first real British HW World Champion hope. Until that fateful night when he came up against James ‘The Bonecrusher’ Smith in 1984. That must be my first real shock in boxing. Watching him get caught cold and hit the canvass like he did, it was like someone had stuck a pin into a balloon.
PakPassion.net: Thoughts on challenges British Muslims face in the UK today?
IMMY69: Living In London, that too in a multi-cultural area, I never experienced any issues due to my religion. Growing up in the 80's there was a lot more racism but that had more to do with the colour of my skin then which religion I was from. Trust me when I say that getting on to a Tube in Camden Town where there were a bunch of skin heads was not a very pleasant experience. Thankfully this is now no longer the case.
Those who live in other parts of London or cities will have different experiences, but I find that by in large people are accepting of whichever religion you happen to practice.
PakPassion.net: Who’s your favourite Pakistani cricketer?
IMMY69: This is such a difficult question but if I had to choose just one then it would be Wasim Akram. He was poetry in motion and not only lit up the game when bowling for Pakistan but also for Lancashire in County Cricket. I still remember a B & H Final at Lords when Graeme Hick was supposed to be the second coming of Bradman and Wasim made him look like a novice. The man could bowl extremely fast when he bent his back, bowl the away swinger, the inswinger, seamed it both ways and had a deadly bouncer. As devastating with the old ball as he was with the new ball.
PakPassion.net: Favourite/most memorable moment whilst watching Pakistan cricket?
IMMY69: In Tests the Headingly Match in 1987. Imran Khan's bowling in the first innings was sensational. It was also the game that won us the series.
In the shorter formats, watching Pakistan win the 1992 World Cup followed by the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup. The 2017 Champions Trophy final was pretty special too.
We weren't expected to make the final and, if we're being honest, were expected to be obliterated and so to beat India at the Oval and in such a convincing fashion was pretty special.
PakPassion.net: Do you think Pakistan could ever win a Test series in Australia? What will need to change for that to happen?
IMMY69: Alas it may not be in my lifetime. What needs to change? We need more than one or two batsmen to contribute in any single innings let alone in a whole game. We need batsmen who can collectively and consistently get us to big totals. Bowling-wise, for a series against Australia in Australia, only Shaheen gives me confidence. We have a couple of decent youngsters coming through such as Dahani but we won't know until they play and gain some experience.
PakPassion.net: Is the "Tebbit Test" still relevant in the UK or have we moved on?
IMMY69: The statement was made by a dinosaur and when he made that statement it just made me want to buy a Pakistan shirt and wear it to the next match. Is it relevant now? I don't think so.
The country has moved on and I think people are more open minded these days. In my opinion watching a game of cricket with 30 to 40% supporting the opposition makes the whole experience more exciting and has kept the international game alive and thriving in England. What is more I think the administrators are also aware of this and are now actively trying to promote it.
PakPassion.net: Tell us about your late dog’s name, when you got him and what was life like with him around? Would you be getting a new canine pet now, or will you wait?
IMMY69: His name was Zeus. He was loving, very well tempered and was just a wonderful family dog. We were very lucky as a family to have found him and to lose him is like losing a close member of the family. For ten and a half years our world revolved around him and he has left a very large gaping hole in our hearts. Towards the end his hind legs just gave in, a common issue with German Shepherd Dogs. In just a couple of months he went from having a slight limp to not being able to stand up without using a harness.
In 2021 we added another member to our family. He’s a tri-coloured German Shepherd who we named Storm. Storm was 10 weeks old when we got him. His personality is completely different and although we love him equally, he can’t replace Zeus. No dog ever will. I think anyone who has lost a dog, or a cherished pet will know what I’m trying to say.
PakPassion.net: As you're an advocate for change in Pakistan, do you have any memorable experiences of visiting Pakistan?
IMMY69: Many great memories of growing up there in the early 70's, followed by some fantastic memories visiting Karachi throughout the 80's. Then some less fond memories in the 90's to all out exasperation over the last two decades.
Nothing gets done unless you bribe someone. From getting your electricity fixed to avoiding a parking fine, if you throw cash at it you get it done.
Sticking to the good memories, family get togethers. Cousins playing together in the garden. The food, oh the food.
Playing tape ball cricket on the street where all the locals would play together, irrespective of what your background was.
PakPassion.net: Your experiences of watching cricket at stadiums in the UK?
IMMY69: Lords is my favourite cricket ground. I know I'm biased as its in Northwest London but there is nothing quite like sitting in the stands, taking in all the atmosphere. Just walking up to the stadium on a sunny morning and then making sure you're seated before the first ball is bowled is an amazing experience. I'm fortunate to have experienced the full hospitality package too. Breakfast followed by lunch and then teIMMY69:[/B] They get everything just spot on and the whole day is an event.
PakPassion.net: Babar Azam - the right man to lead Pakistan in all formats?
IMMY69: For me the jury is still out. I thought he was poor in the West Indies but better against the Aussies. I don't think he could have done much though, not with the spin bowling line-up we had. The fact is that captaining a side is not easy especially when you're dealt a poor hand.
Sometimes you must be ruthless in selecting your final eleven and against the Aussies he should have dropped an out of form Fawad Alam and replaced him with another batsman. But I can also see why he persisted with him and sometimes you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
For the shorter formats, he's doing fine and selecting your final eleven becomes a little easier too as I think we have more players that are so called automatic selections in the shorter format than in Test cricket. The eleven literally picks itself which makes captaining the side a lot easier too.
PakPassion.net: You made your debut on this forum in 2005, What bought you here, and how do you think it has evolved over the years?
IMMY69: My friend since school days introduced me to the site. He's still here now and posts regularly.
We both love our cricket and played together for a few teams during our teens and twenties. He used to be rapid in his youth. As quick if not quicker then anyone who played at first eleven club level, and we're talking about the Middlesex League here which produced some great talent. Just a shame he sprayed it around so much
So Hasan told me to check this site out where all likeminded Cricket fans can post their views and have discussions on Cricket. I think it was the first of its kind and being a huge cricket fan how could I not join up? I've been hooked ever since.
PakPassion.net: Which English football team do you support, and why?
IMMY69: The football team that I support? Arsenal! I’m a Gooner through and through. My love for Arsenal started in the late 70's. It was PE time at school and our teacher announced we’d be playing a game of football for the entire lesson. He divided up the class into teams and handed out shirts. One team wore White and the other red. I got the red shirt.
PakPassion.net: As a business owner, what advice would you give to young start-ups / side-hustles ?
IMMY69: The important thing is to find out what you enjoy doing and throw yourself 100% in to it. Doesn't matter what the trade is, if you enjoy doing it, learn it inside out and work hard then opportunities come your way.
I started my career as a junior shipbroker and really threw myself in to it. Got as much as I could out of broking and then worked for a ship owner followed by a grain trading company. Then after 12 years of experience I, along with my two partners, set up our own business.
I tried to learn from every Boss I had and a couple of things they said really stood out. For example, in any successful business your real assets walk in to the building at 8am and then walk out at 6pm. So employ smart, hard working people and back them as they are the best assets you can ever have. I have no hesitation in saying that the partners I did business with were the greatest assets in our company.
My next Boss recommended I read a book called Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. The book really resonated with me and went some way in getting me to where I am now. By the time a retired from shipping (7 years ago) I already had a small portfolio of properties and have continued to grow that business since them.
The main thing for me was that I never found it a chore and really enjoyed the trade I was in for 20 odd years and I'm fortunate enough to continue doing something that I enjoy albeit in a completely different field.
PakPassion.net: Your all-time favourite boxer and best memory as fan of the sport?
IMMY69: Let me begin by saying that I am definitely a casual fan of the sport. My favourite all-time boxer has to be Mohamed Ali – I was a small toddler but I can vividly remember my whole family congregating at our home in Karachi. All my cousins, aunts and uncles screaming ‘Ali, Ali, Ali’. It was 1974 and the Rumble in the Jungle.
Throughout the Eighties we would watch BBC1 Saturday Night Boxing and the then rising heavy weight, none other than Frank Bruno. The man was knocking out everyone in his path and was the first real British HW World Champion hope. Until that fateful night when he came up against James ‘The Bonecrusher’ Smith in 1984. That must be my first real shock in boxing. Watching him get caught cold and hit the canvass like he did, it was like someone had stuck a pin into a balloon.
PakPassion.net: Thoughts on challenges British Muslims face in the UK today?
IMMY69: Living In London, that too in a multi-cultural area, I never experienced any issues due to my religion. Growing up in the 80's there was a lot more racism but that had more to do with the colour of my skin then which religion I was from. Trust me when I say that getting on to a Tube in Camden Town where there were a bunch of skin heads was not a very pleasant experience. Thankfully this is now no longer the case.
Those who live in other parts of London or cities will have different experiences, but I find that by in large people are accepting of whichever religion you happen to practice.
PakPassion.net: Who’s your favourite Pakistani cricketer?
IMMY69: This is such a difficult question but if I had to choose just one then it would be Wasim Akram. He was poetry in motion and not only lit up the game when bowling for Pakistan but also for Lancashire in County Cricket. I still remember a B & H Final at Lords when Graeme Hick was supposed to be the second coming of Bradman and Wasim made him look like a novice. The man could bowl extremely fast when he bent his back, bowl the away swinger, the inswinger, seamed it both ways and had a deadly bouncer. As devastating with the old ball as he was with the new ball.
PakPassion.net: Favourite/most memorable moment whilst watching Pakistan cricket?
IMMY69: In Tests the Headingly Match in 1987. Imran Khan's bowling in the first innings was sensational. It was also the game that won us the series.
In the shorter formats, watching Pakistan win the 1992 World Cup followed by the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup. The 2017 Champions Trophy final was pretty special too.
We weren't expected to make the final and, if we're being honest, were expected to be obliterated and so to beat India at the Oval and in such a convincing fashion was pretty special.
PakPassion.net: Do you think Pakistan could ever win a Test series in Australia? What will need to change for that to happen?
IMMY69: Alas it may not be in my lifetime. What needs to change? We need more than one or two batsmen to contribute in any single innings let alone in a whole game. We need batsmen who can collectively and consistently get us to big totals. Bowling-wise, for a series against Australia in Australia, only Shaheen gives me confidence. We have a couple of decent youngsters coming through such as Dahani but we won't know until they play and gain some experience.
PakPassion.net: Is the "Tebbit Test" still relevant in the UK or have we moved on?
IMMY69: The statement was made by a dinosaur and when he made that statement it just made me want to buy a Pakistan shirt and wear it to the next match. Is it relevant now? I don't think so.
The country has moved on and I think people are more open minded these days. In my opinion watching a game of cricket with 30 to 40% supporting the opposition makes the whole experience more exciting and has kept the international game alive and thriving in England. What is more I think the administrators are also aware of this and are now actively trying to promote it.
PakPassion.net: Tell us about your late dog’s name, when you got him and what was life like with him around? Would you be getting a new canine pet now, or will you wait?
IMMY69: His name was Zeus. He was loving, very well tempered and was just a wonderful family dog. We were very lucky as a family to have found him and to lose him is like losing a close member of the family. For ten and a half years our world revolved around him and he has left a very large gaping hole in our hearts. Towards the end his hind legs just gave in, a common issue with German Shepherd Dogs. In just a couple of months he went from having a slight limp to not being able to stand up without using a harness.
In 2021 we added another member to our family. He’s a tri-coloured German Shepherd who we named Storm. Storm was 10 weeks old when we got him. His personality is completely different and although we love him equally, he can’t replace Zeus. No dog ever will. I think anyone who has lost a dog, or a cherished pet will know what I’m trying to say.
PakPassion.net: As you're an advocate for change in Pakistan, do you have any memorable experiences of visiting Pakistan?
IMMY69: Many great memories of growing up there in the early 70's, followed by some fantastic memories visiting Karachi throughout the 80's. Then some less fond memories in the 90's to all out exasperation over the last two decades.
Nothing gets done unless you bribe someone. From getting your electricity fixed to avoiding a parking fine, if you throw cash at it you get it done.
Sticking to the good memories, family get togethers. Cousins playing together in the garden. The food, oh the food.
Playing tape ball cricket on the street where all the locals would play together, irrespective of what your background was.
PakPassion.net: Your experiences of watching cricket at stadiums in the UK?
IMMY69: Lords is my favourite cricket ground. I know I'm biased as its in Northwest London but there is nothing quite like sitting in the stands, taking in all the atmosphere. Just walking up to the stadium on a sunny morning and then making sure you're seated before the first ball is bowled is an amazing experience. I'm fortunate to have experienced the full hospitality package too. Breakfast followed by lunch and then teIMMY69:[/B] They get everything just spot on and the whole day is an event.
PakPassion.net: Babar Azam - the right man to lead Pakistan in all formats?
IMMY69: For me the jury is still out. I thought he was poor in the West Indies but better against the Aussies. I don't think he could have done much though, not with the spin bowling line-up we had. The fact is that captaining a side is not easy especially when you're dealt a poor hand.
Sometimes you must be ruthless in selecting your final eleven and against the Aussies he should have dropped an out of form Fawad Alam and replaced him with another batsman. But I can also see why he persisted with him and sometimes you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
For the shorter formats, he's doing fine and selecting your final eleven becomes a little easier too as I think we have more players that are so called automatic selections in the shorter format than in Test cricket. The eleven literally picks itself which makes captaining the side a lot easier too.
PakPassion.net: You made your debut on this forum in 2005, What bought you here, and how do you think it has evolved over the years?
IMMY69: My friend since school days introduced me to the site. He's still here now and posts regularly.
We both love our cricket and played together for a few teams during our teens and twenties. He used to be rapid in his youth. As quick if not quicker then anyone who played at first eleven club level, and we're talking about the Middlesex League here which produced some great talent. Just a shame he sprayed it around so much
So Hasan told me to check this site out where all likeminded Cricket fans can post their views and have discussions on Cricket. I think it was the first of its kind and being a huge cricket fan how could I not join up? I've been hooked ever since.
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