News and Views

Multan is one of the big cities of Pakistan in respect of its population, industrial development, political and socio-cultural activities. Till a few years ago, it was a regular cricket centre with test matches played there occasionally. The good old Qasim Bagh Stadium, an international match venue was located on the top of a high mound in the centre of the city on which a prehistoric fort, a religious shrine and some government offices were also located. Apart from the stadium having become outdated in respect of the modern day facilities, there was a complaint that its ground was sinking.

In early 80's, a piece of land measuring 60 acres on Vehari Road was allocated by the Punjab Government for the construction of a new stadium for which the spadework started in 1985. I remember having visited the site to see its suitability on behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The work, however, could not progress for the paucity of funds, which have been made available now.

The stadium likely to cost Rs. 170 million is designed to accommodate 30,000 spectators. The PCB Chairman Lt. Gen Tauqir Zia who visited the project the other day was so pleased that he instantly announced a donation of Rs. 30 million from the PCB funds for early completion of the project. In the 2nd phase the stadium has been promised to be equipped with floodlights and modern ground equipment.

The noble act on the part of Chairman PCB is bound to revive the glory of Multan as a big centre of sports. Sahiwal and Bhawalpur are the two other old cricket centers in the region, which have become the victims of neglect. A similar help to them will not only revive their international status but also help in the promotion of cricket in the area.

Lala Amarnath, the former captain of India and the first centurion for his country had his roots in the city of Lahore, Pakistan's top centre of sports and culture. Playing for Crescent Club, at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park) Amarnath won the hearts of Lahorites through his performance as well as his good conduct and friendly behaviour. Even after he shifted to India he remained a household name in Pakistan.

I had not seen him playing but met him on numerous occasions in India and during his visits to Pakistan. Since I was Secretary of the Pakistan Cricket Board when in 1978 we revived the Indo-Pak cricket relations after a break of 17 years, he always praised me for this act.

Once during his visit to Lahore he desired to meet some of his old friends. Having received the news of Lala's arrival, late Gul Mohammad, Nazar Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Umpire Munawar Hussain and some others came running to the Gaddafi Stadium to meet the great man.My office became the venue of a historical meeting where the bunch of renowned old timers sat for hours reviving the memories of their golden past and discussing matters related to cricket.

The news of Lala Ji's death spread a shock wave in the cricket circles of Pakistan. The cricket fraternity has expressed their feelings of sorrow and grief for him while those associated with him closely remembered him in the following words: -

Fazal Mahmood: Since Lala Amarnath was my captain when I played for Southern Punjab before independence, his death is a personal loss to me. I can never forget the compliment that he paid to me when I declined to tour Australia with the Indian team in 1947. Talking to Nawab of Mamdot on telephone he told him that "he could beat any team in the world if I was in the team." One of the great cricketers of all times, Lala Ji was a prolific all rounder and a shrewd captain.

Imtiaz Ahmed: Having played under Lala Amarnath in Southern Punjab, I had more than 50 years association with him. He was an excellent all rounder and a captain who liked to win at all costs. He possessed a reservoir of cricket knowledge inside him. With a typical Punjabi approach to life he was a very popular figure. In his death cricket has lost a legend.

Hanif Mohammad: Lala Ji was my childhood hero and when I played against him in the Delhi Test in 1952 it was a dream come true. He was a shrewd captain and a great all rounder who passed his knowledge to others without any discrimination. His death is a great loss to India in particular and for the cricket world in general.

Intikhab Alam: Lala Amarnath was not only a great cricketer but also a great man. A straightforward and upright person he possessed tremendous knowledge of cricket I will always cherish in my memories a week spent in his company at Adelaide, during its 100th test anniversary celebrations.

Zaheer Abbas: Lala Amarnath was a great critic and commentator of the game. He was a great advocate of Pakistan-India series. Pakistan and India should continue to play against each other and remember him by naming a trophy, "Lala Amarnath Trophy" for the series.

Shuja ud Din Butt: Amarnath was one of the best all rounders of the game that I came across during my cricket career. He played his strokes so fast that even fielding at the boundary line one would feel the pinch of his speed. I met Amarnath for the first time in 1944 while playing at Chehal (new Patiala) for a Lahore selected XI and remained impressed by him ever after.

Munawar Hussain (Test Umpire): We played the game together in the Crescent Club Lahore. Amarnath was a highly keen, energetic and a hard working young player. He started his cricket, as a wicket keeper but surprisingly rose to become a top class all rounder. With his stunning performance both with bat and the ball, he almost dominated Lahore's cricket. In his death the world of cricket has lost a legend.

About 30 probables including regular members of the Pakistan team are attending a practice camp at the National Stadium Karachi. The camp aims at preparing a formidable team to participate in the Triangular commencing at Singapore on August 20 and subsequent engagements like Sahara Cup and the visits of England and India teams to Pakistan during the coming winter.

Skipper Moin Khan returned from England after a medical check up with full hope of getting fit but continues to nurse a painful knee. Very rightly thinking of not to participate in the Singapore tournament until hundred percent fit, he has not yet announced his availability. At the same time, search is on for a captain for the series, with Azhar Mahmood's name well in the news.

A special feature of the camp has been the recall of discarded Ijaz Ahmed on special instructions of the PCB Chairman Lt. Gen Tauqir Zia. With the alarming batting failures that caused Pakistan some very important matches, the brittle middle order batting needs the services of a solid batsman like Ijaz Ahmed. Though not lacking form and fitness Ijaz was sent home only to promote the PCB's unwise policy of overhauling the team by inducting too many youngsters. It is heartening that the chairman PCB realized that there was no substitute for experience and called Ijaz in the camp. We are not yet sure whether he will be in the final line up. So let us keep our fingers crossed.

While opener Saeed Anwar has joined the camp, missing two weeks of practice sessions and physical workouts, all rounder Abdur Razzaq has yet to join. The trainees have been formed into two teams to play two one-day practice matches to show their prowess to the Selection Committee.