By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
It was in the fitness of things that two of Pakistan’s living legends, Sarfaraz Nawaz and Zaheer Abbas, celebrated together the Independence Day of their beloved homeland even when living thousands of miles or kilometres away.
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The lion-hearted Sarfaraz Nawaz is a friend of friends. The ‘declared’ inventor of reverse swing in cricket is a man of ideas.
He was credited to have worked out innovative plans to get the batsmen out on the most lifeless of tracks back home where even the most sensational fast bowlers like Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson had struggled to take a wicket or two.
Blessed with a golden heart, the Big Saif, as he is affectionately called in his circle of friends, has preferred to lead life on his terms more often than not. Never afraid to call a spade a spade, he has also paid the price for his candidness occasionally.
One of his contemporaries, Zaheer Abbas, titled Asian Bradman at the strength of his heroics with the bat, is currently in England and Sarfaraz invited him to celebrate Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day at his London residence in the company of a few close friends.
Sarfaraz hosted the sumptuous luncheon party with the usual generosity and taste. Not surprisingly, desi dishes outnumbered the UK or European cuisine as both these legendary cricketers are known for their appetite for the delicious Pakistani food.
The Managing Director of a top French bank and a renowned banker from Pakistan, Zahid Munir, was also present on the occasion as they shared matters of common interest.
Although, primarily a reunion of old buddies, the luncheon party did also serve the purpose of sending positive vibes. The celebration of Independence Day reflected the patriotism of the cricket legends for their homeland even while living abroad.
