King_Rizzy
PPCL Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2012
- Runs
- 14,398
PakPassion Member's Interviews returns today with the very first interview of this series. Today we have someone whom, which may surprise some, has a vast cricket knowledge, not just for the international game, but domestic also. She talks in detail here of her understanding of the game. Apart from cricket, we get to see a bit of an insight on her as a person. Sit back and enjoy. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you pakcricketfan.
PakPassion.net: You are a passionate domestic cricket follower, how and when did you start to feel 'passionate' towards cricket, how'd you get attracted to that level of cricket and become so knowledgeable about domestic cricket?
Pakcricketfan: Cricket is in my genes, I would say. My grandfather and father themselves used to play cricket in their university days, and my brother too used to go to a famous cricket academy in Karachi – he has played with quite a few players who went on to represent Pakistan in international cricket later on. When you have three die-hard cricket fans that wouldn’t miss a single cricket match involving the national team, it’s only natural to develop an interest in the game.
I got attracted towards cricket during the 1999 World Cup – that was the first time I watched international cricket. At that time, I had absolutely no idea about the rules or the technical aspects of the game. At the same time, one of my cousins was playing cricket professionally. He played a lot of Zone cricket, inter-district, Grade II and some First Class cricket as well. I remember my father collecting copies of local newspapers where his pictures would get published whenever he would get the Man of the Match award in a PCB tournament. That made me curious, and the interest in the game just grew from there, really. Later, when I was in fifth grade, I was “appointed” as the official scorer for the annual cricket tournament at my school.
As far as domestic cricket is concerned, it wasn’t until 2005/06 when I started taking interest in it. One of the reasons was that quite a few players that I knew personally had started making their way to the Pakistan Under-19s and First Class cricket by that time. So I used to keep an eye on their performances, go and watch some domestic matches and that’s how I became a fan of some players. So I started following domestic cricket and the interest just kept on growing.
PakPassion.net: Have you ever surprised anyone with your cricketing knowledge, since many sadly assume girls don't know sports? What kind of reactions do you get when people get to know that you know so much about cricket (Masha Allah)? Do you remember the most positive and the most negative reaction?
Pakcricketfan: I have surprised not some but a lot of people – mostly because of keeping up-to-date with the latest happenings in domestic cricket. I don’t think I have ever got a negative reaction – I certainly don’t remember any. The most positive reaction came from the former Pakistani cricketer, Sikander Bakht when I won a competition run by him on a local TV channel six years ago. He was really appreciative and definitely sounded surprised when I discussed the advantages of a left hand-right hand combination on the crease! Apart from him, some sports journalists were amazed to see that I knew a fair bit about the players who have never played international cricket and they advised me to pursue a career in cricket journalism.
PakPassion.net: Why is there very little interest in the women’s cricket team?
Pakcricketfan: We often hear “cricket is a gentleman’s game”. Ever heard “cricket is a lady’s game”?
Seriously though, if you strictly talk about our country, then it’s got more to do with our society than anything else. You wouldn’t see women playing tape ball cricket in the streets of Pakistan. There aren’t enough opportunities, there aren’t academies and there aren’t enough tournaments. Apart from that, women’s cricket is relatively new and it obviously needs better marketing and perhaps better players, too. If the Pakistan women’s team starts performing well on a consistent basis, it will get more attention and may encourage more ‘youngsta beauties’ (© Waqar Younis) to take up the sport. If our women’s cricket starts producing female versions of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, or all rounder Shahid Afridi, then that would be even better.
PakPassion.net: Who is the biggest name player you have met?
Pakcricketfan: From the current players, I have met Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Saeed Ajmal –it’s up to you to decide who the biggest of them all is!
PakPassion.net: Your favourite cricket memory?
Pakcricketfan: There are too many of them, but Younis Khan lifting the ICC World Twenty20 trophy at Lord’s in 2009 tops the list. Nothing’s quite like being the world champions!
PakPassion.net: Do you remember the first game you ever watched?
Pakcricketfan: Australia vs Zimbabwe, Super Sixes match of the 1999 World Cup. Zimbabwe lost that match by 40 odd runs and Neil Johnson scored an unbeaten hundred. I still remember Neil Johnson pulling Tom Moody for a six – that shot remains fresh in my memory for some unknown reason.
PakPassion.net: What is the best match you ever witnessed at the National Stadium and why?
Pakcricketfan: International cricket: The 3rd Test match of the series between Pakistan and the West Indies in 2006. It’s a favourite because it was the match where Mohammad Yousuf broke the record of most runs in a calendar year. Also, it’s the only Test match I have ever watched at the National Stadium.
Domestic cricket: Karachi Dolphins vs Sialkot Stallions, semi-final of the RBS T-20 Cup 2009/10. Karachi Dolphins were chasing 150, lost 5 wickets for 50-odd runs and then Fawad Alam nearly saved the day for them. In the end, the Dolphins lost the match by just 7 runs - and it was none other than Mohammad Sami who bottled it. He was batting well, then took a needless, risky single and ended up getting run out – he was the last man dismissed. I was a bit disappointed in the end because my team had lost but it was a great match nonetheless and there was a terrific atmosphere in the stadium.
Another domesticTwenty20match that I thoroughly enjoyed was between Karachi Zebras and Abbottabad Falcons last year. Chasing 159, the Zebras slipped to 28 for 4 in the fifth over after which there was an amazing fight back from Hasan Raza and Rameez Aziz. The match went right down to the wire with Zebras winning it on the last ball of the match.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite match (per format) and favourite player ever?
Pakcricketfan: I have a never-ending list of favourite cricketers, but Adam Gilchrist tops that list. Legend.
Favourite matches:
Test: Pakistan vs India, Karachi, 2006
ODI: Can’t really pick one - there are just too many of them.
India vs Pakistan, 4th ODI at Ahmedabad in April 2005 where Inzamam-ul-Haq took Pakistan to a three-wicket victory. Still remember how calmly he blocked two deliveries and then smashed a four on the last ball of the match!
Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd ODI at Dubai where Abdul Razzaq played an unbelievable knock and pulled off an amazing victory out of nowhere.
Pakistan vs Australia, the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 group match is probably the only match that makes my favourites list despite Pakistan ending up on the losing side. It was good to see Pakistan go down fighting instead of surrendering halfway through the match.
Twenty20I: Pakistan vs South Africa, semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 2009. I was extremely nervous before and during this match. South Africa were in great form and I thought they were one of the toughest teams of the tournament.
PakPassion.net: Watching LIVE cricket in Pakistan - how easy is it from gaining access to the ground or simply facilities? Would you recommend this to others?
Pakcricketfan: Not sure about the other cities, but it’s really easy in Karachi, especially during low-profile or less-hyped tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the domestic one day competitions – the tournaments that do not draw much attention. Simply go to the stadium and watch the match! Nobody stops you (at least nobody has ever stopped me in all these years!).
During the Twenty20 matches that are televised and usually attract huge crowds, it does become slightly difficult because of the ‘security arrangements’, but even then, it’s not something that should put one off. As far as facilities are concerned, I’m not sure what you’re talking about because I haven’t seen many. But then again, the entertainment that the players provide you through cricket is a facility in itself!
PakPassion.net: Which overseas country would you like to visit if you had the chance to watch a Pakistan series? Why?
Pakcricketfan: England. I would love to watch Pakistan playing Test cricket at Lord’s or the Oval if I ever get a chance to do so. I usually try not to miss any Test matches that are played in England, regardless of whether the match involves Pakistan or not. I’m a fan of bowling more than batting, and the conditions in England suit the pacers – the red ball swings quite a lot and that’s what I really enjoy.
PakPassion.net: Why are you the biggest fan of Fawad Alam? What do you think is keeping Fawad Alam out of the team? Do you think Fawad Alam could be selected for the ODI or Test team? Who should he replace in the current team? Do you like Fawad Alam with long or short hair?
Pakcricketfan: I have been watching him play for over six years now. I have seen him get better and better with time – I have always seen him perform well in the domestic circuit. I am his fan because I like cricketers who give their hundred per cent every time they take the field – and Fawad is undoubtedly one of them. He is a fighter, a very gutsy player. He knows the value of strike rotation; he puts a price on his wicket and he plays well within his limitations. In addition to that, he is one of the best fielders in the country. He might not look elegant while batting, but he does the important thing – he scores runs. In cricket, you do not get extra runs for how beautifully you play. He has been scoring heaps of runs every year in the domestic circuit – he has repeatedly outshone many other “talented” and “classy” batsmen. Yet some people have written him off completely without giving him a proper chance. If he really is useless and the other guys are more “talented”, how come Fawad is able to outperform them almost every time he plays domestic cricket?
Fawad scored 168 on debut and was then given only two more Tests before getting dropped – it’s been over two years since he last played a Test. He also averages 37.68 in ODI cricket – compare his average and strike rate with the players in our current batting line-up and see where he stands. You might also want to look at the current standard of our fielding.
It’s not only about his spot in the national team. The more worrying and rather ridiculous part is that he is not being considered at all. He had another good season in First Class cricket, yet he was not given a central contract or even a stipend contract.
He might not have a place in Pakistan’s playing XI at this point in time, but he definitely deserves a place in the 15-member squad in both Tests and ODIs. If you look at the current squads, he can easily replace Younis Khan in the ODI squad and Faisal Iqbal in the Test squad.
PakPassion.net: There’s a big debate as to which all-rounder should play for Pakistan. Who would you select for the all-rounder position? Someone already tried and tested or someone completely different?
Pakcricketfan: Hammad Azam, definitely. Abdul Razzaq is history. Sohail Tanvir is not an all rounder. Umar Amin needs to perform and make a case for his selection first. Hammad Azam hasn’t done too badly in whatever chances he has got at the international level. I honestly believe he can be a good number 6 batsman, a good finisher. We need to groom him – dropping him without any reason is not going to help. We are certainly missing an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace. Hammad can really fill that space. He needs to improve his bowling though.
PakPassion.net: How did you find out about PakPassion initially?
Pakcricketfan: All I remember is that I was searching for some info on Yasir Arafat and somehow landed on PakPassion. I was really surprised to see that people actually discuss cricket on an internet forum!
PakPassion.net: What were your reactions when you were given the chance to become a moderator on PakPassion and how do you feel about the role now i.e what do you and don’t you enjoy about it?
Pakcricketfan: I certainly did not expect to be offered the role, considering the number of members there are on PakPassion! So the offer came as a surprise. I was obviously quite excited to be a part of the team that ran such a popular forum. Most importantly, I was getting a chance to get involved in something related to the only sport I have really loved. I was a very enthusiastic staff member initially, would be pretty quick and efficient (certainly more than how much I am now! lol) almost all the time. I have been a moderator for eighteen months now and I think I have become quite lazy over this period (as some of my fellow team members will testify
). It does become a bit difficult to juggle studies, family and PakPassion at times but thankfully, I have been able to do that quite successfully so far.
What I don’t enjoy when we have to deal with people who are not willing to accept their mistakes, throw wild accusations at us and also increase our workload deliberately. Unintentional mistakes or violation of rules has never been an issue for me. It’s when some people (a small minority) start to cross the line deliberately that it becomes a problem. Overall, I have never had any issues as such. So my life as a moderator has been pretty much smooth sailing so far.
PakPassion.net: Have you ever met a fellow PakPassion member in real life?
Pakcricketfan: The only PakPassion members I have met in real life are two mainstream media journalists.
PakPassion.net: Which do you prefer; City School or Beaconhouse?
Pakcricketfan: Beaconhouse.
PakPassion.net: Name your 3 most favourite Pakistani dramas?
Pakcricketfan: Alpha Bravo Charlie, Aangan Terha and Tanhaiyaan. (No, Hamsafar doesn’t make it to my top 3).
PakPassion.net: What are your hobbies (apart from stalking Fawad Alam)?
Pakcricketfan: LOL! I don’t stalk Fawad Alam – I just happen to get all the news somehow.
I don’t really have any interesting hobbies to be honest. Apart from watching cricket, movies and Pakistani dramas, I used to read a lot in the past but I just don’t get enough time these days. Oh and I enjoy giving free advice. Yes, count that as a hobby, too.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite dish?
Pakcricketfan: I like anything that has chicken and doesn’t have many vegetables!
PakPassion.net: You are a passionate domestic cricket follower, how and when did you start to feel 'passionate' towards cricket, how'd you get attracted to that level of cricket and become so knowledgeable about domestic cricket?
Pakcricketfan: Cricket is in my genes, I would say. My grandfather and father themselves used to play cricket in their university days, and my brother too used to go to a famous cricket academy in Karachi – he has played with quite a few players who went on to represent Pakistan in international cricket later on. When you have three die-hard cricket fans that wouldn’t miss a single cricket match involving the national team, it’s only natural to develop an interest in the game.
I got attracted towards cricket during the 1999 World Cup – that was the first time I watched international cricket. At that time, I had absolutely no idea about the rules or the technical aspects of the game. At the same time, one of my cousins was playing cricket professionally. He played a lot of Zone cricket, inter-district, Grade II and some First Class cricket as well. I remember my father collecting copies of local newspapers where his pictures would get published whenever he would get the Man of the Match award in a PCB tournament. That made me curious, and the interest in the game just grew from there, really. Later, when I was in fifth grade, I was “appointed” as the official scorer for the annual cricket tournament at my school.
As far as domestic cricket is concerned, it wasn’t until 2005/06 when I started taking interest in it. One of the reasons was that quite a few players that I knew personally had started making their way to the Pakistan Under-19s and First Class cricket by that time. So I used to keep an eye on their performances, go and watch some domestic matches and that’s how I became a fan of some players. So I started following domestic cricket and the interest just kept on growing.
PakPassion.net: Have you ever surprised anyone with your cricketing knowledge, since many sadly assume girls don't know sports? What kind of reactions do you get when people get to know that you know so much about cricket (Masha Allah)? Do you remember the most positive and the most negative reaction?
Pakcricketfan: I have surprised not some but a lot of people – mostly because of keeping up-to-date with the latest happenings in domestic cricket. I don’t think I have ever got a negative reaction – I certainly don’t remember any. The most positive reaction came from the former Pakistani cricketer, Sikander Bakht when I won a competition run by him on a local TV channel six years ago. He was really appreciative and definitely sounded surprised when I discussed the advantages of a left hand-right hand combination on the crease! Apart from him, some sports journalists were amazed to see that I knew a fair bit about the players who have never played international cricket and they advised me to pursue a career in cricket journalism.
PakPassion.net: Why is there very little interest in the women’s cricket team?
Pakcricketfan: We often hear “cricket is a gentleman’s game”. Ever heard “cricket is a lady’s game”?
Seriously though, if you strictly talk about our country, then it’s got more to do with our society than anything else. You wouldn’t see women playing tape ball cricket in the streets of Pakistan. There aren’t enough opportunities, there aren’t academies and there aren’t enough tournaments. Apart from that, women’s cricket is relatively new and it obviously needs better marketing and perhaps better players, too. If the Pakistan women’s team starts performing well on a consistent basis, it will get more attention and may encourage more ‘youngsta beauties’ (© Waqar Younis) to take up the sport. If our women’s cricket starts producing female versions of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, or all rounder Shahid Afridi, then that would be even better.
PakPassion.net: Who is the biggest name player you have met?
Pakcricketfan: From the current players, I have met Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Saeed Ajmal –it’s up to you to decide who the biggest of them all is!
PakPassion.net: Your favourite cricket memory?
Pakcricketfan: There are too many of them, but Younis Khan lifting the ICC World Twenty20 trophy at Lord’s in 2009 tops the list. Nothing’s quite like being the world champions!
PakPassion.net: Do you remember the first game you ever watched?
Pakcricketfan: Australia vs Zimbabwe, Super Sixes match of the 1999 World Cup. Zimbabwe lost that match by 40 odd runs and Neil Johnson scored an unbeaten hundred. I still remember Neil Johnson pulling Tom Moody for a six – that shot remains fresh in my memory for some unknown reason.
PakPassion.net: What is the best match you ever witnessed at the National Stadium and why?
Pakcricketfan: International cricket: The 3rd Test match of the series between Pakistan and the West Indies in 2006. It’s a favourite because it was the match where Mohammad Yousuf broke the record of most runs in a calendar year. Also, it’s the only Test match I have ever watched at the National Stadium.
Domestic cricket: Karachi Dolphins vs Sialkot Stallions, semi-final of the RBS T-20 Cup 2009/10. Karachi Dolphins were chasing 150, lost 5 wickets for 50-odd runs and then Fawad Alam nearly saved the day for them. In the end, the Dolphins lost the match by just 7 runs - and it was none other than Mohammad Sami who bottled it. He was batting well, then took a needless, risky single and ended up getting run out – he was the last man dismissed. I was a bit disappointed in the end because my team had lost but it was a great match nonetheless and there was a terrific atmosphere in the stadium.
Another domesticTwenty20match that I thoroughly enjoyed was between Karachi Zebras and Abbottabad Falcons last year. Chasing 159, the Zebras slipped to 28 for 4 in the fifth over after which there was an amazing fight back from Hasan Raza and Rameez Aziz. The match went right down to the wire with Zebras winning it on the last ball of the match.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite match (per format) and favourite player ever?
Pakcricketfan: I have a never-ending list of favourite cricketers, but Adam Gilchrist tops that list. Legend.
Favourite matches:
Test: Pakistan vs India, Karachi, 2006
ODI: Can’t really pick one - there are just too many of them.
India vs Pakistan, 4th ODI at Ahmedabad in April 2005 where Inzamam-ul-Haq took Pakistan to a three-wicket victory. Still remember how calmly he blocked two deliveries and then smashed a four on the last ball of the match!
Pakistan vs South Africa, 2nd ODI at Dubai where Abdul Razzaq played an unbelievable knock and pulled off an amazing victory out of nowhere.
Pakistan vs Australia, the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 group match is probably the only match that makes my favourites list despite Pakistan ending up on the losing side. It was good to see Pakistan go down fighting instead of surrendering halfway through the match.
Twenty20I: Pakistan vs South Africa, semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 2009. I was extremely nervous before and during this match. South Africa were in great form and I thought they were one of the toughest teams of the tournament.
PakPassion.net: Watching LIVE cricket in Pakistan - how easy is it from gaining access to the ground or simply facilities? Would you recommend this to others?
Pakcricketfan: Not sure about the other cities, but it’s really easy in Karachi, especially during low-profile or less-hyped tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the domestic one day competitions – the tournaments that do not draw much attention. Simply go to the stadium and watch the match! Nobody stops you (at least nobody has ever stopped me in all these years!).
During the Twenty20 matches that are televised and usually attract huge crowds, it does become slightly difficult because of the ‘security arrangements’, but even then, it’s not something that should put one off. As far as facilities are concerned, I’m not sure what you’re talking about because I haven’t seen many. But then again, the entertainment that the players provide you through cricket is a facility in itself!
PakPassion.net: Which overseas country would you like to visit if you had the chance to watch a Pakistan series? Why?
Pakcricketfan: England. I would love to watch Pakistan playing Test cricket at Lord’s or the Oval if I ever get a chance to do so. I usually try not to miss any Test matches that are played in England, regardless of whether the match involves Pakistan or not. I’m a fan of bowling more than batting, and the conditions in England suit the pacers – the red ball swings quite a lot and that’s what I really enjoy.
PakPassion.net: Why are you the biggest fan of Fawad Alam? What do you think is keeping Fawad Alam out of the team? Do you think Fawad Alam could be selected for the ODI or Test team? Who should he replace in the current team? Do you like Fawad Alam with long or short hair?
Pakcricketfan: I have been watching him play for over six years now. I have seen him get better and better with time – I have always seen him perform well in the domestic circuit. I am his fan because I like cricketers who give their hundred per cent every time they take the field – and Fawad is undoubtedly one of them. He is a fighter, a very gutsy player. He knows the value of strike rotation; he puts a price on his wicket and he plays well within his limitations. In addition to that, he is one of the best fielders in the country. He might not look elegant while batting, but he does the important thing – he scores runs. In cricket, you do not get extra runs for how beautifully you play. He has been scoring heaps of runs every year in the domestic circuit – he has repeatedly outshone many other “talented” and “classy” batsmen. Yet some people have written him off completely without giving him a proper chance. If he really is useless and the other guys are more “talented”, how come Fawad is able to outperform them almost every time he plays domestic cricket?
Fawad scored 168 on debut and was then given only two more Tests before getting dropped – it’s been over two years since he last played a Test. He also averages 37.68 in ODI cricket – compare his average and strike rate with the players in our current batting line-up and see where he stands. You might also want to look at the current standard of our fielding.
It’s not only about his spot in the national team. The more worrying and rather ridiculous part is that he is not being considered at all. He had another good season in First Class cricket, yet he was not given a central contract or even a stipend contract.
He might not have a place in Pakistan’s playing XI at this point in time, but he definitely deserves a place in the 15-member squad in both Tests and ODIs. If you look at the current squads, he can easily replace Younis Khan in the ODI squad and Faisal Iqbal in the Test squad.
PakPassion.net: There’s a big debate as to which all-rounder should play for Pakistan. Who would you select for the all-rounder position? Someone already tried and tested or someone completely different?
Pakcricketfan: Hammad Azam, definitely. Abdul Razzaq is history. Sohail Tanvir is not an all rounder. Umar Amin needs to perform and make a case for his selection first. Hammad Azam hasn’t done too badly in whatever chances he has got at the international level. I honestly believe he can be a good number 6 batsman, a good finisher. We need to groom him – dropping him without any reason is not going to help. We are certainly missing an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace. Hammad can really fill that space. He needs to improve his bowling though.
PakPassion.net: How did you find out about PakPassion initially?
Pakcricketfan: All I remember is that I was searching for some info on Yasir Arafat and somehow landed on PakPassion. I was really surprised to see that people actually discuss cricket on an internet forum!
PakPassion.net: What were your reactions when you were given the chance to become a moderator on PakPassion and how do you feel about the role now i.e what do you and don’t you enjoy about it?
Pakcricketfan: I certainly did not expect to be offered the role, considering the number of members there are on PakPassion! So the offer came as a surprise. I was obviously quite excited to be a part of the team that ran such a popular forum. Most importantly, I was getting a chance to get involved in something related to the only sport I have really loved. I was a very enthusiastic staff member initially, would be pretty quick and efficient (certainly more than how much I am now! lol) almost all the time. I have been a moderator for eighteen months now and I think I have become quite lazy over this period (as some of my fellow team members will testify
). It does become a bit difficult to juggle studies, family and PakPassion at times but thankfully, I have been able to do that quite successfully so far.What I don’t enjoy when we have to deal with people who are not willing to accept their mistakes, throw wild accusations at us and also increase our workload deliberately. Unintentional mistakes or violation of rules has never been an issue for me. It’s when some people (a small minority) start to cross the line deliberately that it becomes a problem. Overall, I have never had any issues as such. So my life as a moderator has been pretty much smooth sailing so far.
PakPassion.net: Have you ever met a fellow PakPassion member in real life?
Pakcricketfan: The only PakPassion members I have met in real life are two mainstream media journalists.
PakPassion.net: Which do you prefer; City School or Beaconhouse?
Pakcricketfan: Beaconhouse.
PakPassion.net: Name your 3 most favourite Pakistani dramas?
Pakcricketfan: Alpha Bravo Charlie, Aangan Terha and Tanhaiyaan. (No, Hamsafar doesn’t make it to my top 3).
PakPassion.net: What are your hobbies (apart from stalking Fawad Alam)?
Pakcricketfan: LOL! I don’t stalk Fawad Alam – I just happen to get all the news somehow.
I don’t really have any interesting hobbies to be honest. Apart from watching cricket, movies and Pakistani dramas, I used to read a lot in the past but I just don’t get enough time these days. Oh and I enjoy giving free advice. Yes, count that as a hobby, too.
PakPassion.net: What is your favourite dish?
Pakcricketfan: I like anything that has chicken and doesn’t have many vegetables!
Adds another dimension to PCF!
while others stay silent. 
