[VIDEO] Reading Wasim Akram's biography "Sultan" is a gut wrenching experience

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I have to admit, I cried.

For two reasons.

First, in this book, I see the Wasim I knew when he bowled fireballs.

Not the carefree Wasim laughing away in ESPN commentary boxes or the one selling washing powder like a used car salesman. Not even the Wasim in post match interviews who laughed away defeats.

This book reminded me of the Wasim I remember expending the very last ounces of energy in the 3rd test at St John's, having already bowled 60 overs in the game, 11 wickets to his name, and then see it all become fruitless at the end; the one who got Botham, Lamb and Lewis with naked aggression and unbridled talent rarely found in one place, that too on world's biggest stage; the one who used to bounce Richards, Lara, Ganguly and Ponting off the same length that he would use to take the top of off, off. The same Wasim who would hit the final six in Nehru cup and waltz off to the pavilion, and the one who took hattricks against batsmen who knew what was coming but were powerless to stop it.

It was unexpectedly emotional to meet that Wasim again, the snarling, angry, triumphant, troubled, berating, magical man with a lightening run up and a flashing arm who lorded the 90s like no other.

Second, this book is also a soul destroying look into Pakistan cricket's unfulfilled promise. Nothing captures it more than the 90s themselves - a decade that promised so much and yielded so little. And not just in cricket. For a Pakistani and a cricket lover, it makes for desperate reading, like a bad movie on a loop you are powerless to stop.

For all his happy persona, Wasim is a deeply troubled man. This book extensively captures match fixing allegations and all the characters associated with it - players, PCB chairmen, judges, commissions, powerful bookies, shady characters. I won't talk about my judgment of it as the reader can make their own mind about it. All I see is how much it impacted his emotional health and how much damage it caused to Pakistan cricket.

Add to that, the cast of players he played with - and Wasim doesn't hold back his opinions on anyone whether good or bad. He talks us through the 14 captain changes that occurred in less than a decade, the machinations on and off the field, the role of lobbies and powerful influences, the hangers on and leeches in PCB and beyond. There is no other cricketing team in the world that is so paralyzed before they face the first ball.

He lays bare his own lifestyle - drugs, partying, women, fame, favors - in a way so open and so in your face you can't help but feel he is daring the world to take him on. Isn't that how he used to be with the ball in hand? He talks about his troubled relationships, the death of his wife, the guilt and regret he still has in his heart about his wife and his sons and the many bouts of depression he endured during his life.

It is a very complex read.

I also found the role of Imran in all this an amazing insight into the man. I am bowled over by the many hats Imran wore as captain, mentor, guide to players, the ethos of winning, the mentoring and oversight he provided to Pakistan cricket and how he changed odds with very poor cards to play. If this is how he was at cricket, one can then see how he rose to the top job in Pakistan. Similarly, there are deep insights into Miandad, Anwar, Inzamam, Afridi, the various PCB appointees and others - delivered with cutting transparency.

Wasim as a commentator is so easy to ignore. It's very hard to find insights when someone is just reading scorecards.

Agree with him or not, Wasim in this book is hard to ignore.

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.

Until you read the book, you will miss out on everything Wasim is about.

In many ways, 'Sultan' has left me distraught - because Pakistan cricket is the face of Pakistan, just like PIA used to be. It is rotten to the core. It is being kept afloat by the talent of a few good people. I despair for Babar and his men. Unlike any other team, they are defanged before they hit the ground.

 

[TheSultan]

I’m sure the book is a very good read, but so is this review of it. Great post

 

[muqarrab]

For all his happy persona, Wasim is a deeply troubled man. This book extensively captures match fixing allegations and all the characters associated with it - players, PCB chairmen, judges, commissions, powerful bookies, shady characters. I won't talk about my judgment of it as the reader can make their own mind about it. All I see is how much it impacted his emotional health and how much damage it caused to Pakistan cricket.

It is a very good read, and though you can argue that wasim took a rather charitable view of himself when it comes to match fixing, and makes it crystal clear that rashid latif and his buddy aamir sohail did a lot of damage to pakistani cricket in the 90s. I watched some post match analysis on rashid latif's channel after finishing the book and was totally able to see what wasim was hinting at.

 

[ElRaja]

have bought but not read yet, will leave a review here once I've been through it too

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I wasn't going to buy it but have just placed an order after reading this post.

Your paragraph here summed up my reasons for not buying it

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.



Your post has stopped me making that mistake. I will probably read it over the xmas period and will post a review.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I wasn't going to buy it but have just placed an order after reading this post.

Your paragraph here summed up my reasons for not buying it

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.



Your post has stopped me making that mistake. I will probably read it over the xmas period and will post a review.

Thank you. If you have lived through the Pakistan team of the 90's, I guarantee you much suffering .

 

[Suleiman]

Great review. I want to read it now too.

I remember a thread on here asking about Pakistan cricket of the 90s. Whether they were as good as they were fabled to be. A lot of people had xyz reason of why there weren’t the best team of the decade. But the biggest and hardest reason to ignore is everything going on backstage. That team had the ability to lift another world cup or a series in Australia, but no amount of skill can make up for a poor and antagonistic dressing room, relations with your coworkers, and that has a massive impact on what you’re able to do on the field as a team.

And that’s exactly what the 90s squads of Pakistan post 92 WC was. Dependent on individual brilliance but lacking in team work and coordination. It was all about me, not about us.

 

[karthikc]

Is the earlier autobiography of Wasim available as e-book??

 

[Colorblind Genius]

I have to admit, I cried.

For two reasons.

First, in this book, I see the Wasim I knew when he bowled fireballs.

Not the carefree Wasim laughing away in ESPN commentary boxes or the one selling washing powder like a used car salesman. Not even the Wasim in post match interviews who laughed away defeats.

This book reminded me of the Wasim I remember expending the very last ounces of energy in the 3rd test at St John's, having already bowled 60 overs in the game, 11 wickets to his name, and then see it all become fruitless at the end; the one who got Botham, Lamb and Lewis with naked aggression and unbridled talent rarely found in one place, that too on world's biggest stage; the one who used to bounce Richards, Lara, Ganguly and Ponting off the same length that he would use to take the top of off, off. The same Wasim who would hit the final six in Nehru cup and waltz off to the pavilion, and the one who took hattricks against batsmen who knew what was coming but were powerless to stop it.

It was unexpectedly emotional to meet that Wasim again, the snarling, angry, triumphant, troubled, berating, magical man with a lightening run up and a flashing arm who lorded the 90s like no other.

Second, this book is also a soul destroying look into Pakistan cricket's unfulfilled promise. Nothing captures it more than the 90s themselves - a decade that promised so much and yielded so little. And not just in cricket. For a Pakistani and a cricket lover, it makes for desperate reading, like a bad movie on a loop you are powerless to stop.

For all his happy persona, Wasim is a deeply troubled man. This book extensively captures match fixing allegations and all the characters associated with it - players, PCB chairmen, judges, commissions, powerful bookies, shady characters. I won't talk about my judgment of it as the reader can make their own mind about it. All I see is how much it impacted his emotional health and how much damage it caused to Pakistan cricket.

Add to that, the cast of players he played with - and Wasim doesn't hold back his opinions on anyone whether good or bad. He talks us through the 14 captain changes that occurred in less than a decade, the machinations on and off the field, the role of lobbies and powerful influences, the hangers on and leeches in PCB and beyond. There is no other cricketing team in the world that is so paralyzed before they face the first ball.

He lays bare his own lifestyle - drugs, partying, women, fame, favors - in a way so open and so in your face you can't help but feel he is daring the world to take him on. Isn't that how he used to be with the ball in hand? He talks about his troubled relationships, the death of his wife, the guilt and regret he still has in his heart about his wife and his sons and the many bouts of depression he endured during his life.

It is a very complex read.

I also found the role of Imran in all this an amazing insight into the man. I am bowled over by the many hats Imran wore as captain, mentor, guide to players, the ethos of winning, the mentoring and oversight he provided to Pakistan cricket and how he changed odds with very poor cards to play. If this is how he was at cricket, one can then see how he rose to the top job in Pakistan. Similarly, there are deep insights into Miandad, Anwar, Inzamam, Afridi, the various PCB appointees and others - delivered with cutting transparency.

Wasim as a commentator is so easy to ignore. It's very hard to find insights when someone is just reading scorecards.

Agree with him or not, Wasim in this book is hard to ignore.

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.

Until you read the book, you will miss out on everything Wasim is about.

In many ways, 'Sultan' has left me distraught - because Pakistan cricket is the face of Pakistan, just like PIA used to be. It is rotten to the core. It is being kept afloat by the talent of a few good people. I despair for Babar and his men. Unlike any other team, they are defanged before they hit the ground.

What were you crying about?

 

[Major]

Just because i decide to Run over a cat and tell everyone about it doesnt justify my actions does it?

Just because akram decides to talk about his actions doesnt justify them.

Dont see there is anything to cry about.

He got away with fixing, and he was also doing cocain.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

What were you crying about?

The sheer waste of one of the best teams cricket has ever assembled - which achieved nothing.
The waste of what Akram's own talents - because of the environment at the time.

Most of all, the fact that not much seems to have changed - PCB is still run like a fiefdom with leeches, friendships/favors still count for more than talent, the captain and think tank still have to deal with the boundless toxicity surrounding Pakistan cricket and that there is not one strong enough to cut through this like Imran used to be.

It's sad, doubly so for those who expected the team to deliver on the field what Pakistan the country was poised to deliver on the global stage. In the end, both have followed roughly the same downward trajectory with occasional flashes of their inner magic.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Just because i decide to Run over a cat and tell everyone about it doesnt justify my actions does it?

Just because akram decides to talk about his actions doesnt justify them.

Dont see there is anything to cry about.

He got away with fixing, and he was also doing cocain.

[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION], my theory is to force myself to read all sides and then make up my mind. As I said in the post, everyone can make their own judgments.

The point of the post was not to judge the man, which everyone, including myself have already done. It was to urge everyone to read the book. Anyone who loves Pakistan cricket will have a terrific time getting in on the inside of Pakistan's cricket - even if from Wasim's perspective.

I have read a few on Pakistan cricket - Imran, Miandad, Osman Samiuddin, Afridi etc. But I found this one to be the most compelling (Gideon Haigh's journalistic chops help.)

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Great review. I want to read it now too.

I remember a thread on here asking about Pakistan cricket of the 90s. Whether they were as good as they were fabled to be. A lot of people had xyz reason of why there weren’t the best team of the decade. But the biggest and hardest reason to ignore is everything going on backstage. That team had the ability to lift another world cup or a series in Australia, but no amount of skill can make up for a poor and antagonistic dressing room, relations with your coworkers, and that has a massive impact on what you’re able to do on the field as a team.

And that’s exactly what the 90s squads of Pakistan post 92 WC was. Dependent on individual brilliance but lacking in team work and coordination. It was all about me, not about us.

I remember they used to annihilate weaker teams, India included, and would go toe to toe with the best.

But then, collapse spectacularly against the weakest to the strongest.

Reading the book you will know why.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

It is a very good read, and though you can argue that wasim took a rather charitable view of himself when it comes to match fixing, and makes it crystal clear that rashid latif and his buddy aamir sohail did a lot of damage to pakistani cricket in the 90s. I watched some post match analysis on rashid latif's channel after finishing the book and was totally able to see what wasim was hinting at.

Don't like Rashid Latif. He has that angry young man vibe which becomes somewhat arduous on a man in his 50's.

 

[Colorblind Genius]

The sheer waste of one of the best teams cricket has ever assembled - which achieved nothing.
The waste of what Akram's own talents - because of the environment at the time.

Most of all, the fact that not much seems to have changed - PCB is still run like a fiefdom with leeches, friendships/favors still count for more than talent, the captain and think tank still have to deal with the boundless toxicity surrounding Pakistan cricket and that there is not one strong enough to cut through this like Imran used to be.

It's sad, doubly so for those who expected the team to deliver on the field what Pakistan the country was poised to deliver on the global stage. In the end, both have followed roughly the same downward trajectory with occasional flashes of their inner magic.

I mean, all of this stuff is pretty well known, and we are well aware of it. Not sure it would made anyone cry unless he is a new comer with a faint heart? Otherwise, we all have become thick skinned and immune to all what's wrong with PCB, and our general environment of social setup that this a bigger picture of how things go in PCB.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I mean, all of this stuff is pretty well known, and we are well aware of it. Not sure it would made anyone cry unless he is a new comer with a faint heart? Otherwise, we all have become thick skinned and immune to all what's wrong with PCB, and our general environment of social setup that this a bigger picture of how things go in PCB.

In my opinion, Pakpassion won't exist if we were all immune to PCB's and its players' failings.

Newcomer or old, faint heart or strong, everyone is suggesting changes for the better, why if they feel nothing's gonna change?

PCB chairman, selector, a particular player with the most recent failure, team management, but most of all, the captain are constantly bombarded with criticism and suggestions for a reason - we are fans.

Yes we know 90s were rotten. 00's were rotten too. 10's were rotten for other reasons. Yet, in knowing the minutiae, mining the data, one can find insights for the future. That's what I like to believe.

 

[Savak]

Wasim has not been honest about his own sheningans in the team. He didn't talk about the politics he played in the team and how he conspired to get Aamir Sohail removed from the captaincy and the team in 1999.

 

[Major]

[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION], my theory is to force myself to read all sides and then make up my mind. As I said in the post, everyone can make their own judgments.

The point of the post was not to judge the man, which everyone, including myself have already done. It was to urge everyone to read the book. Anyone who loves Pakistan cricket will have a terrific time getting in on the inside of Pakistan's cricket - even if from Wasim's perspective.

I have read a few on Pakistan cricket - Imran, Miandad, Osman Samiuddin, Afridi etc. But I found this one to be the most compelling (Gideon Haigh's journalistic chops help.)

Bro, it does not justify what he did. The fixing and the snorting. I will give the book a read on your suggestion, but i will judge him for his actions.

I cant respect this guy

 

[IMMY69]

I wasn't gonna bother with it, but after reading the opening post, I'll be ordering my copy soon.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Bro, it does not justify what he did. The fixing and the snorting. I will give the book a read on your suggestion, but i will judge him for his actions.

I cant respect this guy

Thank you.

 

[Markhor]

My copy arrived last week but in middle of reading another book. I did have a brief flick through and it seems Wasim focuses more on the grievances than any particular spells or highlights. Unfortunately it seems he had more fun with Lancashire than playing for the Pakistan team at times, such was the level of mutual mistrust and suspicion.

The chapters themselves are fairly short with the book minus the stats and index clocking in at 272 pages so shouldn't take long to get through.

 

[Saj]

This book arrived a couple of days ago for me.

Will start it after the World Cup.

Having met Wasim quite a few times, I've always found him to be very chilled, funny, relaxed and someone who speaks his mind.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I wasn't gonna bother with it, but after reading the opening post, I'll be ordering my copy soon.

 

[muqarrab]

Wasim has not been honest about his own sheningans in the team. He didn't talk about the politics he played in the team and how he conspired to get Aamir Sohail removed from the captaincy and the team in 1999.

Aamir sohail was past his best after 96, his centuries against WI were anomolies. Wasim was removed after winning test series against WI, Sohail should never have been made captain in 1998, he couldn't warrant a place in starting X1.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Reading your post definitely ignited more of an interest in reading this book for me. Age brings alot of reflection into your life. And I think it has been the same case for Wasim. He was a flawed personality as he admits himself, but at the end of the day, few can deny that he was perhaps the most gifted and skillful bowler to ever play the game. A guy who literally changed the way the game was played, along with Waqar. And a guy whose name will always be remembered in the pantheon of history when talking about the greatest this sport has to offer.

And my respect for him as an individual has actually increased tenfold. Because atleast he is honest about what he did. In our society, where being honest about your lows is considered a sign of weakness, it takes guts to not care what other people think when you are in the public eye like Wasim is. Most people on this forum probably can't understand that because they are not in that position of fame and notoriety.

 

[TheSultan]

Aamir sohail was past his best after 96, his centuries against WI were anomolies. Wasim was removed after winning test series against WI, Sohail should never have been made captain in 1998, he couldn't warrant a place in starting X1.

I don’t believe Amir Sohail was ever made the official captain. Rashid Latif was made captain and Amir is deputy.

Latif got injured and Amir took over for 2 tests Vs SA. He was always in a deputy capacity

 

[muqarrab]

I don’t believe Amir Sohail was ever made the official captain. Rashid Latif was made captain and Amir is deputy.

Latif got injured and Amir took over for 2 tests Vs SA. He was always in a deputy capacity

Yes thats correct, but why was rashid made cptain for bagladesh toruney and SA tour to start with? And Aamir Shoail piled on top as his VC? They appointment didn't make sense in 1997, it makes even less sense in hindsight.

 

[Stewie]

The sheer waste of one of the best teams cricket has ever assembled - which achieved nothing.
The waste of what Akram's own talents - because of the environment at the time.

Most of all, the fact that not much seems to have changed - PCB is still run like a fiefdom with leeches, friendships/favors still count for more than talent, the captain and think tank still have to deal with the boundless toxicity surrounding Pakistan cricket and that there is not one strong enough to cut through this like Imran used to be.

It's sad, doubly so for those who expected the team to deliver on the field what Pakistan the country was poised to deliver on the global stage. In the end, both have followed roughly the same downward trajectory with occasional flashes of their inner magic.

He did achieve a lot, asian test championship win, beating india in india, the odi asia cup, the australian tri series, even the runners up in world cup is a big achievement. I think they still underachieved but lets not sell their accomplishments short now.

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

I have to admit, I cried.

For two reasons.

First, in this book, I see the Wasim I knew when he bowled fireballs.

Not the carefree Wasim laughing away in ESPN commentary boxes or the one selling washing powder like a used car salesman. Not even the Wasim in post match interviews who laughed away defeats.

This book reminded me of the Wasim I remember expending the very last ounces of energy in the 3rd test at St John's, having already bowled 60 overs in the game, 11 wickets to his name, and then see it all become fruitless at the end; the one who got Botham, Lamb and Lewis with naked aggression and unbridled talent rarely found in one place, that too on world's biggest stage; the one who used to bounce Richards, Lara, Ganguly and Ponting off the same length that he would use to take the top of off, off. The same Wasim who would hit the final six in Nehru cup and waltz off to the pavilion, and the one who took hattricks against batsmen who knew what was coming but were powerless to stop it.

It was unexpectedly emotional to meet that Wasim again, the snarling, angry, triumphant, troubled, berating, magical man with a lightening run up and a flashing arm who lorded the 90s like no other.

Second, this book is also a soul destroying look into Pakistan cricket's unfulfilled promise. Nothing captures it more than the 90s themselves - a decade that promised so much and yielded so little. And not just in cricket. For a Pakistani and a cricket lover, it makes for desperate reading, like a bad movie on a loop you are powerless to stop.

For all his happy persona, Wasim is a deeply troubled man. This book extensively captures match fixing allegations and all the characters associated with it - players, PCB chairmen, judges, commissions, powerful bookies, shady characters. I won't talk about my judgment of it as the reader can make their own mind about it. All I see is how much it impacted his emotional health and how much damage it caused to Pakistan cricket.

Add to that, the cast of players he played with - and Wasim doesn't hold back his opinions on anyone whether good or bad. He talks us through the 14 captain changes that occurred in less than a decade, the machinations on and off the field, the role of lobbies and powerful influences, the hangers on and leeches in PCB and beyond. There is no other cricketing team in the world that is so paralyzed before they face the first ball.

He lays bare his own lifestyle - drugs, partying, women, fame, favors - in a way so open and so in your face you can't help but feel he is daring the world to take him on. Isn't that how he used to be with the ball in hand? He talks about his troubled relationships, the death of his wife, the guilt and regret he still has in his heart about his wife and his sons and the many bouts of depression he endured during his life.

It is a very complex read.

I also found the role of Imran in all this an amazing insight into the man. I am bowled over by the many hats Imran wore as captain, mentor, guide to players, the ethos of winning, the mentoring and oversight he provided to Pakistan cricket and how he changed odds with very poor cards to play. If this is how he was at cricket, one can then see how he rose to the top job in Pakistan. Similarly, there are deep insights into Miandad, Anwar, Inzamam, Afridi, the various PCB appointees and others - delivered with cutting transparency.

Wasim as a commentator is so easy to ignore. It's very hard to find insights when someone is just reading scorecards.

Agree with him or not, Wasim in this book is hard to ignore.

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.

Until you read the book, you will miss out on everything Wasim is about.

In many ways, 'Sultan' has left me distraught - because Pakistan cricket is the face of Pakistan, just like PIA used to be. It is rotten to the core. It is being kept afloat by the talent of a few good people. I despair for Babar and his men. Unlike any other team, they are defanged before they hit the ground.

That's Pakistan in general. Lying, cheating, corruption, fraud, bigotry, hatred towards Shias, nobody wants to work or get an education. Everyone is looking for short cuts, freebies, or money from a sibling abroad.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

He did achieve a lot, asian test championship win, beating india in india, the odi asia cup, the australian tri series, even the runners up in world cup is a big achievement. I think they still underachieved but lets not sell their accomplishments short now.

This whole list actually exemplifies the underachievement of a potentially great team.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Yes thats correct, but why was rashid made cptain for bagladesh toruney and SA tour to start with? And Aamir Shoail piled on top as his VC? They appointment didn't make sense in 1997, it makes even less sense in hindsight.

I have to say this in defense of later day Amir Sohail's batting - it was still less painful than his commentary.

 

[ghaint]

Wasim Akram was one of my favorite cricketers in the 90s. He made the Pakistani team so dangerous that you would think they could win from any situation. I do not have a soft corner anymore for him like many do including Justice qayyum. It is sad that his flawed ways affected his personal life. This book was a great opportunity for him to apologize to his fans and gain some respect back. He did mention that this book is for his family, so maybe he is apologizing to his family. This book does sound like an apology to his country. I cannot get myself to read it as I feel never cared to his fans.

 

[muqarrab]

I have to say this in defense of later day Amir Sohail's batting - it was still less painful than his commentary.

I hope Amir Sohail is reading this, and i couldn't agree more.

 

[muqarrab]

Wasim Akram was one of my favorite cricketers in the 90s. He made the Pakistani team so dangerous that you would think they could win from any situation. I do not have a soft corner anymore for him like many do including Justice qayyum. It is sad that his flawed ways affected his personal life. This book was a great opportunity for him to apologize to his fans and gain some respect back. He did mention that this book is for his family, so maybe he is apologizing to his family. This book does sound like an apology to his country. I cannot get myself to read it as I feel never cared to his fans.

Wasim cared but his fans and people in general. Let me tell you an anecdote, back in early 90s, ( i think this was 1991), my university's service route bus driver didn't stop for an elderly woman crossing the road, somehow wasim saw this while driving. Wasim chased down the bus, or maybe parked in front on the next stop, and gave and earful to the driver and told the students in it that howcome none of them objected to such a behavior.

 

[Saj]

I do wonder though why these things are kept quiet for so long, buried and then suddenly when the book is going to come out, all hell breaks loose.

 

[imshally81]

Is there any urdu version available?

 

[KB]

In Wasim’s memoir, the 1992 World Cup seems to be the pivot. Up to that point, the boy becomes a man, sheds some of his naivety, learns a great deal and enjoys the game. After the 1992 World Cup the mood changes. He is at the peak of his powers as a bowler, but demons abound. The post-1992 period in Pakistan cricket was the age of tumult.

Two points strike me here. One is that ironically the World Cup victory probably contributed to ensuing disorder. Egos were inflated and while plots of land were handed to players, they perhaps began to believe rather too much into their own stardom. As we would say now, the dressing room atmosphere was “toxic.”

Second: the obvious leadership void with the departure of Imran Khan. The uncertainty of Pakistani cricket with a capricious cricket board, ample ambition and insecurity amongst players, necessitated a leader with authority able to transcend differences. The scanty infrastructure and chaotic organisation of Pakistan cricket elevated the importance of strong leadership, but there was a leadership vacuum in the aftermath of the World Cup.

So there is indeed a certain sadness that Pakistan cricket, despite possessing such abundant skill in the 90s, under-achieved. But I fell for the Pakistan team for the first time in the 90s and still have fondness for that team in that decade. And no one inspired a sense of wonder more than Wasim, the man who - as Peter Roebuck once wrote - did not make the ball talk so much as sing.

That he admits to be being far from perfect himself in the book only makes - for me - his greatness clearer than before.

 

[wrongun]

In Wasim’s memoir, the 1992 World Cup seems to be the pivot. Up to that point, the boy becomes a man, sheds some of his naivety, learns a great deal and enjoys the game. After the 1992 World Cup the mood changes. He is at the peak of his powers as a bowler, but demons abound. The post-1992 period in Pakistan cricket was the age of tumult.

Two points strike me here. One is that ironically the World Cup victory probably contributed to ensuing disorder. Egos were inflated and while plots of land were handed to players, they perhaps began to believe rather too much into their own stardom. As we would say now, the dressing room atmosphere was “toxic.”

Second: the obvious leadership void with the departure of Imran Khan. The uncertainty of Pakistani cricket with a capricious cricket board, ample ambition and insecurity amongst players, necessitated a leader with authority able to transcend differences. The scanty infrastructure and chaotic organisation of Pakistan cricket elevated the importance of strong leadership, but there was a leadership vacuum in the aftermath of the World Cup.

So there is indeed a certain sadness that Pakistan cricket, despite possessing such abundant skill in the 90s, under-achieved. But I fell for the Pakistan team for the first time in the 90s and still have fondness for that team in that decade. And no one inspired a sense of wonder more than Wasim, the man who - as Peter Roebuck once wrote - did not make the ball talk so much as sing.

That he admits to be being far from perfect himself in the book only makes - for me - his greatness clearer than before.

Great summary.

92 is when I fell for Pakistan as my second team. Can you imagine the impact of Imran Khan's interviews after years of "captain grumpy" Border, who always contrived to sound like he was chewing gum, even if he wasn't (a trait Tubby Taylor shared)! And his tiger shirt instead of blazers...

 

[Markhor]

Finished the book today. Apart from admission to cocaine use, there aren't many revelations to any close follower of Pakistan cricket.

The factionalism in the 90s side, age-based hierachies, Imran's influence, 92 WC, and the Viv Richards sledging story are all well documented. There are however some things that stand out:

1) Wasim has picked his wives well. Wasim's first wife Huma Akram is the unsung hero of the book. She comes across as measured, empathetic and a rock throughout Wasim's professional ups and downs. Her passing was tragic.

2) Wasim is candid about his shortcomings...to a point. The most he concedes on matchfixing is misguided loyalty to a friend involved in the betting underworld. Otherwise he maintains his innocence and look, you'd be naive to think Wasim would admit to anything risking his international reputation, sponsorships and commentary gigs.

Where he raises a fair point is Aamer Sohail and Rashid Latif made lots of noise particularly when they coveted the captaincy, but in front of Justice Qayyum they couldn't back it up. Qayyum's report often indulges in hearsay and lacked hard proof. The judge's own integrity is questionable.

What Wasim doesn't mention is why Qayyum's report was weak - PCB designed it to fail. Qayyum had just one legal advisor and no investigative officers, nor could analyse phone recordings Many players were uncooperative. No wonder Qayyum couldn't find hard evidence !

 

[Saj]

My copy has arrived recently.

Will get onto this soon.

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

Finished the book today. Apart from admission to cocaine use, there aren't many revelations to any close follower of Pakistan cricket.

The factionalism in the 90s side, age-based hierachies, Imran's influence, 92 WC, and the Viv Richards sledging story are all well documented. There are however some things that stand out:

1) Wasim has picked his wives well. Wasim's first wife Huma Akram is the unsung hero of the book. She comes across as measured, empathetic and a rock throughout Wasim's professional ups and downs. Her passing was tragic.

2) Wasim is candid about his shortcomings...to a point. The most he concedes on matchfixing is misguided loyalty to a friend involved in the betting underworld. Otherwise he maintains his innocence and look, you'd be naive to think Wasim would admit to anything risking his international reputation, sponsorships and commentary gigs.

Where he raises a fair point is Aamer Sohail and Rashid Latif made lots of noise particularly when they coveted the captaincy, but in front of Justice Qayyum they couldn't back it up. Qayyum's report often indulges in hearsay and lacked hard proof. The judge's own integrity is questionable.

What Wasim doesn't mention is why Qayyum's report was weak - PCB designed it to fail. Qayyum had just one legal advisor and no investigative officers, nor could analyse phone recordings Many players were uncooperative. No wonder Qayyum couldn't find hard evidence !

Him and Waqar have used The Pavilion on A Sports for the past 2 years to re-write history in a clever and shrewd way. They've largely gotten away with it because people forget and due to younger fans.

 

[Sarwar89]

Him and Waqar have used The Pavilion on A Sports for the past 2 years to re-write history in a clever and shrewd way. They've largely gotten away with it because people forget and due to younger fans.

They got away because they won a world cup. Countries like Pakistan & Argentina are two prime examples, where once you win a World Cup, you are entitled to do lot of things. How many world cups and icc champions trophy both of them ruined 96,98,99,03,00 list goes on

On a similar note despite winning 2 world cups ( 2019 odi & t20) till now King Charles has not given knighthood to Ben Stokes ( Sir Ben stokes).
Instead knighthood was given to Sir Alaister Cook who lost 2013 ICC Champions trophy final.

Just imagine if Babur Azam had won 2 world cups of T20 ( 2021,2022) how we people would be talking about him ? He would get away with anything if he had won world cup.

Same goes to Argentina, many people do not remember that Argentina badly performed in 1994 World Cup due to drugs and substance use by their captain Maradona, who was kicked out and banned by FIFA after 1 or 2 matches. But in Argentina he got away from it. Because he was a world cup winner.

Pakistan is no different in mindset.

 

[Sachin136]

I finished the ebook today and it's probably my favorite autobiography from a cricketer after Gilchrist's. Gideon Haigh is one of the best cricket writers out there.

 

[Saj]

ok started reading it and I'm enjoying it so far.

First thing I've learnt is that Wasim Akram actually came from a very humble background in Lahore. For some reason I always thought he came from a comfortable middle-class background.

 

[Saj]

Also worth noting and many overlook the fact that it was as mentioned in the book, Javed Miandad who actually came across Wasim Akram well before Imran Khan did, when Javed faced him in the nets in Karachi and then recommended him for selection in a tour match against New Zealand.

 

[Bewal Express]

Also worth noting and many overlook the fact that it was as mentioned in the book, Javed Miandad who actually came across Wasim Akram well before Imran Khan did, when Javed faced him in the nets in Karachi and then recommended him for selection in a tour match against New Zealand.

Definitely true. But as a fast bowler, it was Kaptaans influence that had the biggest impact

 

[Saj]

Definitely true. But as a fast bowler, it was Kaptaans influence that had the biggest impact

True, but the point I am making is that Imran wouldn't have even got the chance to work with Wasim Akram if Javed Miandad hadn't spotted him initially.

 

[Bewal Express]

True, but the point I am making is that Imran wouldn't have even got the chance to work with Wasim Akram if Javed Miandad hadn't spotted him initially.

Can't disagree. Miandad was and remains one of the wasted brains of PK cricket. He got into too many arguments, maybe he was too passionate( maybe he was greedy)but it cost him and PK cricket dearly.

 

[Mirpuri Don]

Convinced me to read it.

Other cricketers’ autobios I read were Shoaib Akhtar’s and Shahid Afridi’s, hope it’s more like the former.

 

[Markhor]

What also stood out is Wasim's not a fan of Majid Khan's tenure in PCB - which was surprising given most people praise Majid as an administrator.

Apparently Majid was so old-school he didn't even permit a bottled water sponsorship. No wonder Pakistan fell behind in maximising its commercial potential.

 

[Saj]

Would his rapid rise to the Pakistan national team happen these days? No chance.

They'd all claim that they discovered him, send him to various camps, talent hunt programmes, then ship him off to Under 19 cricket.

 

[Saj]

One of the most depressing parts of the book is reading about the jealousy and hatred that team-mates and colleagues for so many years had for each other.

Some of them actually wanted the team to lose so that would give them a better chance of captaincy.

No wonder we never reached the heights that we should have in the past.

 

[Saj]

So many rivalries and hatreds amongst that generation of players. So much politics, it must have been a strange atmosphere where you wanted to win as a team, but hated so many of your team-mates.

A few players that Wasim respected as cricketers but hated as people:

Salim Malik
Aamir Sohail

A few players that Wasim just simply hated:

Rashid Latif
Basit Ali

 

[greatest]

For me this book was quite a depressing read. Trust me, I have lost a bit of respect for some of the players I grew up admiring. Akram was not so innocent as he has portrayed himself in this book. That 90s team was lucky that there was no social media and media scrutiny at that time.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

So many rivalries and hatreds amongst that generation of players. So much politics, it must have been a strange atmosphere where you wanted to win as a team, but hated so many of your team-mates.

A few players that Wasim respected as cricketers but hated as people:

Salim Malik
Aamir Sohail

A few players that Wasim just simply hated:

Rashid Latif
Basit Ali

Rashid and Basit are extremely loathsome individuals. One just needs to listen to them talk for 5 mins and would get an idea.

Basit has been employed by PCB for over decade. He slapped a colleague in anger a few years back.

Rashid is a drama queen. Someone who loves to create controversy when none exists.

However saying that, I am not a fan of Wasim Akram the person.

 

[JibranAnsari]

So many rivalries and hatreds amongst that generation of players. So much politics, it must have been a strange atmosphere where you wanted to win as a team, but hated so many of your team-mates.

A few players that Wasim respected as cricketers but hated as people:

Salim Malik
Aamir Sohail

A few players that Wasim just simply hated:

Rashid Latif
Basit Ali

and that team was probably the most loved team by pakistanis ever. Remember when akhbare watan , akhbare cricket and the cricketer used to sell a lot. From mid to late 90s they were so popular.

 

[greatest]

and that team was probably the most loved team by pakistanis ever. Remember when akhbare watan , akhbare cricket and the cricketer used to sell a lot. From mid to late 90s they were so popular.

Yes, I used to buy those Pakistani Cricketer mags regularly till 1999. In 1994/95 these mags supported the Pakistani players and portrayed the Aussies Mark Waugh and Shane Warne as villains.
Reading those mags I used to believe England and Australia were just jealous and hated our team because we were so brilliant and talented. England can't get over the 1992 final and Test Series defeat and blamed us for ball tampering. The Aussies blamed us for match-fixing because they lost the 1994 series in Pakistan. West Indies feared we will dethrone them in 1993 so they trapped out superstars Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib and Mushtaq in a drug scandal in Grenada.

But all in all those were brilliant mags with some quality features and great photos.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

So many rivalries and hatreds amongst that generation of players. So much politics, it must have been a strange atmosphere where you wanted to win as a team, but hated so many of your team-mates.

A few players that Wasim respected as cricketers but hated as people:

Salim Malik
Aamir Sohail

A few players that Wasim just simply hated:

Rashid Latif
Basit Ali

For all there follies and weaknesses, that’s one thing that you can never put on the current team. Atleast they’re United and don’t actively try to sabotage results.

 

[greatest]

For all there follies and weaknesses, that’s one thing that you can never put on the current team. Atleast they’re United and don’t actively try to sabotage results.

Agree!
I think it was in Inzamam's tenure as a captain when we gradually saw a shift in the attitude of Pakistani players. Players became more religious and we shunned away the bad boys image. (Although 2010 spot-fixing did happen).
The Inzamam and later Misbah effect has resulted in a more controversy free environment but it has also grown a generation of mild and timid players who lack the aggression and expressiveness of the players from yesteryears.

 

[sarwar707]

I have to admit, I cried.

For two reasons.

First, in this book, I see the Wasim I knew when he bowled fireballs.

Not the carefree Wasim laughing away in ESPN commentary boxes or the one selling washing powder like a used car salesman. Not even the Wasim in post match interviews who laughed away defeats.

This book reminded me of the Wasim I remember expending the very last ounces of energy in the 3rd test at St John's, having already bowled 60 overs in the game, 11 wickets to his name, and then see it all become fruitless at the end; the one who got Botham, Lamb and Lewis with naked aggression and unbridled talent rarely found in one place, that too on world's biggest stage; the one who used to bounce Richards, Lara, Ganguly and Ponting off the same length that he would use to take the top of off, off. The same Wasim who would hit the final six in Nehru cup and waltz off to the pavilion, and the one who took hattricks against batsmen who knew what was coming but were powerless to stop it.

It was unexpectedly emotional to meet that Wasim again, the snarling, angry, triumphant, troubled, berating, magical man with a lightening run up and a flashing arm who lorded the 90s like no other.

Second, this book is also a soul destroying look into Pakistan cricket's unfulfilled promise. Nothing captures it more than the 90s themselves - a decade that promised so much and yielded so little. And not just in cricket. For a Pakistani and a cricket lover, it makes for desperate reading, like a bad movie on a loop you are powerless to stop.

For all his happy persona, Wasim is a deeply troubled man. This book extensively captures match fixing allegations and all the characters associated with it - players, PCB chairmen, judges, commissions, powerful bookies, shady characters. I won't talk about my judgment of it as the reader can make their own mind about it. All I see is how much it impacted his emotional health and how much damage it caused to Pakistan cricket.

Add to that, the cast of players he played with - and Wasim doesn't hold back his opinions on anyone whether good or bad. He talks us through the 14 captain changes that occurred in less than a decade, the machinations on and off the field, the role of lobbies and powerful influences, the hangers on and leeches in PCB and beyond. There is no other cricketing team in the world that is so paralyzed before they face the first ball.

He lays bare his own lifestyle - drugs, partying, women, fame, favors - in a way so open and so in your face you can't help but feel he is daring the world to take him on. Isn't that how he used to be with the ball in hand? He talks about his troubled relationships, the death of his wife, the guilt and regret he still has in his heart about his wife and his sons and the many bouts of depression he endured during his life.

It is a very complex read.

I also found the role of Imran in all this an amazing insight into the man. I am bowled over by the many hats Imran wore as captain, mentor, guide to players, the ethos of winning, the mentoring and oversight he provided to Pakistan cricket and how he changed odds with very poor cards to play. If this is how he was at cricket, one can then see how he rose to the top job in Pakistan. Similarly, there are deep insights into Miandad, Anwar, Inzamam, Afridi, the various PCB appointees and others - delivered with cutting transparency.

Wasim as a commentator is so easy to ignore. It's very hard to find insights when someone is just reading scorecards.

Agree with him or not, Wasim in this book is hard to ignore.

Most people read snippets in media designed to sell books and make their minds about the book and its author. That is a mistake. Some of the finest sports books I have read suffered from this - such as Andre Aggassi's autobiography where the book launch focused on his drug use - while the book was so so much more.

Until you read the book, you will miss out on everything Wasim is about.

In many ways, 'Sultan' has left me distraught - because Pakistan cricket is the face of Pakistan, just like PIA used to be. It is rotten to the core. It is being kept afloat by the talent of a few good people. I despair for Babar and his men. Unlike any other team, they are defanged before they hit the ground.

Fantastic review, I'm going to buy and read this book only due to this piece of writing. Thank you

 

[sarwar707]

That's Pakistan in general. Lying, cheating, corruption, fraud, bigotry, hatred towards Shias, nobody wants to work or get an education. Everyone is looking for short cuts, freebies, or money from a sibling abroad.

So true and you could have make your list much longer with out any difficulty if wanted.

 

[Saj]

Coming towards the end of the book.

One thing that is crystal clear is just what an important figure Imran Khan was in Pakistan cricket. He was the glue that held it altogether and never let those snakes and backstabbers and those freeloaders in the PCB to ever get in his way and have any power in Pakistan cricket.

While he was around. nobody would get an easy ride. But, sadly once he retired it was a free-for-all and became a horrible environment and a dog-eat-dog world.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

For all there follies and weaknesses, that’s one thing that you can never put on the current team. Atleast they’re United and don’t actively try to sabotage results.

Lack of characters too

 

[Anis Shivani]

Great review, I'll read the book.

 

[Bouncer]

View attachment 118116View attachment 118117

Can you scan and post the pages where he talks about basit Ali.

One of the major reasons why people don't think too controversial of him is because when Rashid Latif was recording the dressing room conversations and the other conversations that he was having a fellow cricketers on the topic of match fixing throughout mid-90s he recorded conversations with the basit Ali too. But when in 1998 he had submitted those recordings as a proof against these cricketers in the court he had erased the parts showing shadyness of Basit Ali.

So wondering what does wasim say about BA?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Can you scan and post the pages where he talks about basit Ali.

One of the major reasons why people don't think too controversial of him is because when Rashid Latif was recording the dressing room conversations and the other conversations that he was having a fellow cricketers on the topic of match fixing throughout mid-90s he recorded conversations with the basit Ali too. But when in 1998 he had submitted those recordings as a proof against these cricketers in the court he had erased the parts showing shadyness of Basit Ali.

So wondering what does wasim say about BA?

Left the book with my brother. Don't remember much about Basit. Perhaps [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] may help?

 

[Saj]

Left the book with my brother. Don't remember much about Basit. Perhaps [MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] may help?

Basically he says that Basit was one of those cocky guys who even right at the start of his international career was a know-it-all type of character and full of himself.

Page 126 "Basit for instance was a good player out of Karachi, an apprentice Javed. He was also a smart-**** - one series and he thought he was invincible and could take anyone on, including his captain."

 

[muqarrab]

Basically he says that Basit was one of those cocky guys who even right at the start of his international career was a know-it-all type of character and full of himself.

Page 126 "Basit for instance was a good player out of Karachi, an apprentice Javed. He was also a smart-**** - one series and he thought he was invincible and could take anyone on, including his captain."

Had it not been for the stunt Rashid and Basit pulled in Zim, no one would remember Basit Ali, mediocre performer with one good test series and 3 or 4 good ODI innings spaced quite far apart.

 

[Saj]

Had it not been for the stunt Rashid and Basit pulled in Zim, no one would remember Basit Ali, mediocre performer with one good test series and 3 or 4 good ODI innings spaced quite far apart.

I can see where Wasim is coming from regarding Basit.

I met Basit when he was working with the Pakistan 'A' side. I don't think I have met a more rude or strange person in my life.

 

[Savak]

I met Basit when he was working with the Pakistan 'A' side. I don't think I have met a more rude person in my life.

Didn't Basit Ali assault a fellow Pakistani domestic cricketer when he was on the PCB payroll as a coach in 2014?

 

[Saj]

I thought there might have been more in the book about Shoaib Akhtar and what he was like.

Wasim mentions Akhtar's obsession with the 100mph mark but I thought he may have gone into more details about Akhtar's personality and behaviour.

 

[Savak]

I thought there might have been more in the book about Shoaib Akhtar and what he was like.

Wasim mentions Akhtar's obsession with the 100mph mark but I thought he may have gone into more details about Akhtar's personality and behaviour.

He wasn't exactly complimentary. He revealed his irritation with Akhtar in the 2003 WC and once he broke the 100 mph barrier against England, he used abusive expletives and told him to get lost to third man.

 

[Saj]

He wasn't exactly complimentary. He revealed his irritation with Akhtar in the 2003 WC and once he broke the 100 mph barrier against England, he used abusive expletives and told him to get lost to third man.

Yes that part was funny, but I thought he may have gone into further details about what he was like as a team-mate and some of the issues he faced while Wasim was playing.

 

[muqarrab]

Didn't Basit Ali assault a fellow Pakistani domestic cricketer when he was on the PCB payroll as a coach in 2014?

Former cricketer Basit Ali has been accused of slapping a fellow former cricketer Mahmood Hamid in alleged retaliation over some criticism directed at him during a recent TV show.

Hamid, the complainant, has claimed that he had questioned Basit's selection policy on TV, at which Basit got so enraged that he slapped him when the two crossed paths during the National One-Day Cup match between SNGPL and SSGC at the National Stadium in Karachi.

In a video message, the victim says that if Basit disagreed with his viewpoint, he should have presented his rebuttals on TV instead of getting physical with him.

"The SNGPL coach Basit Ali is a thug; he can criticise anyone, but when his own conduct is questioned, he can't take it," said a visibly upset Hamid.

"Attiquz Zaman is witness that he raised his hand on me when the only thing I did was question his selection criteria,” he added. "I did not retaliate because I am an educated person, but I will take up this matter with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and I will also ask him why he has appointed a person who has a tainted past and can't handle criticism."

Basit, meanwhile, has denied Hamid's accusations.

 

[muqarrab]

I can see where Wasim is coming from regarding Basit.

I met Basit when he was working with the Pakistan 'A' side. I don't think I have met a more rude or strange person in my life.

We will never know the truth about match fixing, and truth is that Rashid Latif along with Basit Ali were the source of all the rumours in urdu press circa 1994-95 regarding match fixing. Wasim doesn't it say it as such, but that pretty much what he is implying. If you listen to a lot of youtube shows rashid latif did with 90s journalists at the beginning on pandemic, those journalist were pretty much saying that rashid was feeding them.

Was there match fixing in the 90s? Maybe yes, did pakistan get results according to team's potential? Definitely. Was the qayyum inquire bungled? Yes. Did rashid's rumour mongering do any good to pakistan cricket in the short term? No. Did rashid's rumour mongering do damage to pakistan cricket in medium to long term? Definitely Yes.

 

[MenInG]

A review of Wasim Akram's excellent autobiography Sultan by Saj:

The highs, the lows, the good days, the tough times, the team-mates he liked, the team-mates he hated. The power struggles, the influence of Imran Khan, captaincy, the comebacks, the accusations, the controversies - Saj Sadiq reviews Wasim Akram's book Sultan.

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[Mirpuri Don]

Reading it right now, he’s indeed dismissive of many, Saleem Malik the most for being an authoritarian of some sort, but he’s quite openly admirative of Imran Khan, not only as cricketer but also as an individual :

« In 1985, he looked like a god: the face, the hair, the physique. I simply couldn’t take my eyes off him. And for a young fast bowler, this was a very good thing. »

 

[Bouncer]

Reading it right now, he’s indeed dismissive of many, Saleem Malik the most for being an authoritarian of some sort, but he’s quite openly admirative of Imran Khan, not only as cricketer but also as an individual :

« In 1985, he looked like a god: the face, the hair, the physique. I simply couldn’t take my eyes off him. And for a young fast bowler, this was a very good thing. »

If you just started reading the book can you do like a chapter by chapter review / commentary on what you read as you read this book?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I was inspired to buy the book by the OP and managed to read it over the festive break. Here is my review

In his book "Sultan", former Pakistani cricketing great Wasim Akram takes readers on a journey through his life and career. While the book touches on some interesting topics, such as Wasim's upbringing and his career highlights, it ultimately falls short of being a truly engaging and enlightening sports biography.

One of the primary weaknesses of "Sultan" is its superficial treatment of key topics. The book fails to delve deep into the psychological aspects of sports and what athletes go through, offering only a surface-level look at these important issues. In contrast, other well-acclaimed sports biographies such as "Open" by Andre Agassi or "The Climb" by Chris Froome provide a much more detailed and introspective look at these topics.
While, the book takes a cursory look at the actions of Wasim's contemporaries, the match fixing allegations that have plagued Pakistani cricket are not explored in the depth that they deserve. While it is clear that some match fixing did take place, it is also clear that there was exaggeration and sensationalism in the media coverage of these allegations. However, Wasim doesn't elaborate on the situation to the level it deserved, instead focussing on presenting his innocence and planting doubts in the seeds of the readers regarding his own personal involvement.

It is worth noting that "Sultan" was co-written by Gideon Haigh, a well-respected cricket journalist and author. However, the writing style and depth of analysis in the book do not seem to be up to Haigh's usual standards, suggesting that Wasim had a significant hand in the creative process.

Despite this, Wasim comes across as quite candid in the book, and it is clear that he is willing to talk openly about some difficult and controversial topics. However, even with this candor, one is left with the feeling that the real Wasim is still hiding, and we are dealing with Wasim the "brand" rather than the man himself. Many of the anecdotes Wasim presents in the book have been documented or elaborated in his various media stints so there isn't too much that is new to a Pakistani reader. Basit Ali, Amir Sohail and Rashid Latif aren't portrayed in the book particularly well and there isn't probably any Pakistan fan who would disagree with their portrayal.

One topic that the book does delve into is the state of Pakistani cricket after the tenure of captaincy of Imran Khan. To me it seems quite clear that after Imran's successful captaincy, the captaincy of the Pakistani team was seen as a way to achieve the same level of acclaim and aura that Imran had, rather than as a position of leadership and responsibility. This led to infighting and a focus on personal gain rather than the success of the team, which ultimately contributed to the decline of Pakistani cricket.

Furthermore, one can argue that the decline of the Pakistani cricket team and the infighting for power and prestige within the team is reflective of the larger decline of the nation. Pakistan's struggles with political instability, economic challenges, and other issues, have been mirrored by the chaos within its cricket side and stopped the team rising to the occasion and serve as a source of pride and unity for the country. Pakistan dominating cricket was something that those of us that grew up during the 90s would have expected. Sadly, just like the country at large the team also constantly seems on the brink of failure.

It is also worth noting that county cricket played a critical role in the development of the personality and mental fortitude of Pakistani players in that era. The experience of playing in a foreign country and adapting to new conditions and challenges helped to shape the characters of players like Wasim and Imran, and contributed to their success on the international stage.

Unfortunately, the current generation of Pakistani cricketers does not have the same opportunity to play county cricket and gain this valuable experience. This lack of exposure to different cultures and challenges may have contributed to the lack of intelligence and personality that has been evident in the current Pakistani cricket team. In those days overseas players weren't pampered, instead they were forced to sink or swim on their own. Unlike today where players are offered 5 star treatment and escorted to the ground on coaches the players of those days were basically left to fend for themselves and I believe this contributed to their development.

Overall, Sultan is an engaging read for Pakistani cricket fans but it doesn't really offer much beyond documenting the already well known achievements of a cricketing great. I would give the book 7/10.

 

[Mamoon]

What is the verdict? Is it a genuine autobiography or high fantasy like Afridi & Akhtar’s so-called “autobiographies”?