Sarfaraz Nawaz greets Zaka Ashraf with sumptuous dinner

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Chaudhry Muhammad Zaka Ashraf has left a legacy of sorts as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the years. 

Although none of his three tenures were allowed to go to the full distance for different reasons, yet he proved his mettle as an administrator par excellence in the whatever period he led the cricket affairs of the country. 

Recently, he undertook a visit of the United Kingdom (UK) and squeezed some time out of his typically packed schedule to have a session with Sarfaraz Nawaz, one of the greatest-ever fast bowlers produced by the country, for whom he has had tremendous respect for a long time. 

As all his friends, and even foes, know very well that Sarfaraz is blessed with a big heart who still believes in traditions of hospitality. Therefore, instead of just arranging a simple meeting, he threw a party for the former PCB chief to make it quite a memorable occasion. 

All along his career and after hanging his boots, Sarfaraz has been a man who’s never afraid to call a spade a spade. Always believing in letting his work to do the talking, instead of mobilizing support from one lobby or the other, he played cricket on his terms and gave more than hundred percent for the cause of the team every time he took the field. 

Globally acclaimed as the inventor of reverse swing, he helped Pakistan win innumerable matches. He was a real fighter, who rescued the team from crisis with his standout efforts. 

Who will ever forget his sensational spell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1979 when all had seemed lost for Pakistan and skipper Mushtaq Mohammad was looking towards heavens to find out if there were threatening clouds overhead to force an abrupt end to the game! Yes, he captured seven wickets for just one run to turn it around decisively in an amazing display of swing bowling. 

Sarfaraz also hit headlines with his bold moves off the field which didn’t use to go well with the cricket bosses. He didn’t enjoy particularly good relationships with the functionaries of the board and, in a few instances, there were loud disagreements leading to controversies. 

But one cricket administrator who seems to have moved along most cordially with him is none other than the extremely polite and humble Zaka Ashraf, who is also a very sensible person. 

An alumnus of Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur, and Cadet College Petaro, where I also had the privilege of studying, Zaka Ashraf was first appointed as the PCB Chairman in October 2011. 

A court order in 2013 stopped him from performing his duties on the grounds that the process of his election was not transparent but the same court reinstated him in January 2014. His tenure was cut short again due to changes brought about in the PCB constitution. 

Zaka Ashraf was reappointed as the PCB Chairman once more in July 2023 but he resigned from his position only a few months later. It’s indeed a pity that he never got a full tenure which could have been of immense benefit to the Pakistan cricket affairs.

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Cricket legends Sarfaraz Nawaz, Zaheer Abbas celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day together in London

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

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. 

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. 

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.

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