Yousuf Malik, Mona Khan shine in Chicago Marathon

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s athletes hit headlines at the Chicago World Major Marathon, showcasing not only their athletic talent but also their dedication to representing the country globally. 

Among them was Mona Khan, the only female athlete from the journalist community, running alongside her coach and fellow runner Muhammad Yousuf Malik and nine-year-old little ambassador Keyaan Mustafa Khan, who symbolically ran to strengthen USA-Pakistan friendship. 

This year, these athletes achieved remarkable feats, earning prestigious medals and setting tenuous world records at the London Marathon. 

In a historic achievement, Mona Khan and Yousuf Malik were awarded Guinness World Record certificates and medals, further highlighting their extraordinary accomplishments. 

The runners dedicated their efforts to the leadership of Pakistan, particularly Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, celebrating their guidance and inspiring leadership. 

The event received special recognition from Dr Tariq Bhutt, Chairman of the Chicago-Lahore Sister City Committee, who has been actively promoting Pakistan-US ties through such initiatives. 

The newly appointed Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, Zaman Mehdi, expressed his delight at meeting the athletes and applauded their efforts to represent Pakistan on the global stage. 

The US authorities also acknowledged the runners’ dedication, highlighting the role of sports in strengthening international friendships. 

Through their strides, these Pakistani athletes demonstrated that passion, perseverance, and national pride can transcend borders, one marathon at a time.

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Sarfraz Nawaz condoles Wazir Mohammad’s death

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s former Test fast bowler, Sarfraz Nawaz, acclaimed as the inventor of reverse swing, has condoled the death Wazir Mohammad, the eldest of the legendary Mohammad brothers, who passed away at the age of 95 in England on October 13. 

“I had known Wazir bhai for a long time. He was a very decent guy, who possessed incredible knowledge about the game of cricket. It was always a pleasure meeting and talking to him,” Sarfraz, who has also relocated in England, remarked in a brief conversation with PNFS. 

“He was talked about as a cricketer of immense value who gave his best for the country in the early days of Pakistan cricket. He may not have scored as many runs in Tests as his three other illustrious brothers, Hanif, Mushtaq and Sadiq, but he was revered by his contemporaries, including his great captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar,” Sarfraz recalled. 

Wazir had made his Test debut in the third match of the 1952-53 series against India. He forced his way into the playing eleven at the strength of a match-saving unbeaten 104 in the tour game against West Zone in Ahmedabad. 

His Test record of scoring 801 runs at an average of 27.62 was indeed modest but he derived a great sense of pride for having made vital contributions in many of Pakistan's first Test victories. 

His knock of 42 in the second innings of the Oval Test of 1954 was Pakistan's highest in the closely-fought encounter which became famous by the match-winning spells of Fazal Mahmood. 

His century partnership with Kardar was the highest in Pakistan’s maiden victory over Australia at National Stadium, Karachi in 1956. Similarly, his innings of 189 was also the highest of the match when Pakistan registered first-ever win over the West Indies in 1957-58.

Wazir was the eldest among the Mohammad Brothers, who have played monumental role in Pakistan cricket right from its formative years. Raees did not play Test cricket but Hanif, Mushtaq and Sadiq represented the country with distinction for a number of years.

Sarfraz played international cricket with the trio of Hanif, Mushtaq and Sadiq. In fact, he and Mushtaq also played together for the county of Northamptonshire for a long time during summers in England.

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Ali Asghar Valika laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s distinguished sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, was laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard in Karachi on October 11. Also having served as President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) two times, he had passed away at the age of 78, after a prolonged illness, a day earlier. 

His funeral was attended by a large gathering of sports officials, colleagues, and admirers, including the Karachi Club President, Irfan Moten, ex-PBSA President and Karachi Club Secretary, Jawed Karim, former PBSA President, Alamgir Shaikh, former Karachi Gymkhana President Fawad Malik, members of the PBSA Executive Committee, club staff, friends, relatives, and well-wishers. 

"We are grateful to all those, who supported us in the time of grief,” his younger brother Abbas Valika acknowledged. 

Pakistan’s three-time world snooker champion Muhammad Asif expressed deep sorrow at Asghar Valika’s passing, paying tribute to his “tremendous service for the development of snooker across the globe.” Asif described him as a “visionary patron who discovered, promoted, and guided players to reach world-class levels.” 

Condolences also poured in from Pakistan cricket greats Wasim Bari, Asghar Valika’s former schoolmate, and Iqbal Qasim, ex-chief selector and left-arm spinner currently in South Africa, who expressed his thoughts via video link. Both of them recalled lifelong contribution to sports administration and his pivotal role in nurturing international champions such as Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Asif. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika transformed the cue sport from a recreational pastime into a competitive discipline. He served as PBSA President for over two decades from 1988, during which Pakistan hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the historic 33-nation IBSF World Championship in Karachi in 1993, a milestone in the country’s sporting history. 

Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved its first Asian Games Gold Medal in Snooker at Bangkok in 1998 through Shaukat Ali, and several other podium finishes followed in subsequent editions. He also helped secure major sponsorship from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, ensuring the sport’s financial sustainability and growth for a long time. 

Beyond his administrative acumen, he was a mentor and visionary, credited with introducing Pakistan’s ranking system and bringing televised snooker to national audiences. His efforts expanded the sport from elite clubs to every corner of the country, inspiring generations of young cueists.

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Sports fraternity mourns demise of Asghar Valika

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s veteran sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, passed away in Karachi on October 10 after a prolonged illness. He was 78, his younger brother Abbas Valika confirmed. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika played a pioneering role in transforming snooker from a recreational pastime into one of the country’s most competitive and organised sports. 

He served as the PBSA President for over two decades from 1988 and also held key international offices, including Senior Vice President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS). 

Under his leadership, Pakistan successfully hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the landmark 33-nation IBSF World Championship at Karachi in 1993. He was instrumental in securing major sponsorship, notably from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, which revitalized the sport’s profile nationwide. 

He is also credited for nurturing cueist Mohammad Yousuf, who went on to win the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Championship in Johannesburg, a defining moment in Pakistan’s sporting history. 

A businessman by profession and Managing Director of Valika Industries, Asghar Valika was also associated with early cricket development in Dubai during the 1970s. His passing away marks the end of a golden chapter in Pakistan’s sports administration. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

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Father figure of Pakistan snooker, Ali Asghar Valika, passes away

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The venerated personality of Ali Asghar Valika, who spearheaded the revival of snooker and other cue sports in Pakistan, breathed his last after a protracted illness on October 10. He was 78. 

Asghar Valika became associated with the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) in 1986 and he was elected unopposed as its President in 1988. He continued to lead the body for five successive terms of four years before quitting office in 2008. During his era, Pakistan’s cueists earned laurels at global as well as continental levels. 

He was the motivational force behind hosting the Asian Snooker Championship in 1991 and the World Snooker Championship in 1993 which brought to light his outstanding organizational capabilities. 

Subsequently, he was elected as the President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) for two successive terms during which his initiatives for the promotion of cue sports were widely lauded. He also served as Vice President of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF). 

The Karachi Club remained second home for him for a long time and he mobilized his resources in revitalizing the club and making it known as the hub of sporting activities.

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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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Sohail Pappay: master of massage therapy

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sohail Ahmed, more famously known as Sohail Pappay in the cricket circles, has carved a niche for himself in the fields of massage therapy and physiotherapy. 

Maintaining a rather low profile and leading a simple life, this incredibly hard-working fellow, hailing from a middle-class family of Karachi, has mastered the art quietly having attained high level of skill and expertise in his chosen field. 

Even the celebrated cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Shaun Pollock, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mutiah Muraltharan and Mahela Jayawardane to name a few have spoken very highly of Sohail Pappay after being ‘treated’ by him from to time. 

He may not have earned any degree in massage therapy or physiotherapy but he has collected testimonials from quite a few high-achievers who have generously praised his skill set. He has proved to be much more than just being another masseur, who simply rubs or kneads the body to promote circulation and relaxation. 

“Sohail Ahmed worked with the England cricket team on their tour to Pakistan in 2000. He performed an excellent job as the team masseur for the duration of the Test matches. I would fully recommend that any future England tours would seek assistance from him. I, on behalf of the team, would like to thank him for his help,” Dean Conway, the physiotherapist of England squad, complimented. 

“Sohail Ahmed has helped the Indian team during its visit to Karachi and Lahore in September-October 1997,” Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian captain for the tour, acknowledged in a handwritten communication dated October 3, 1997. 

“Sohail Ahmed’s services were used by the Indian team on its tour to Pakistan in March-April 2004 as a masseur. He served as a real professional, always cheerful and working hard to keep my boys fit for the matches. His work culture was highly appreciated by the Indian players and he was very popular in the team. Well done, Pappay,” Prof R R Shetty, the Indian tour manager, documented. 

Besides England and India, Sohail has also worked with the national teams of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. He has also assisted the various senior outfits having visited Pakistan from time to time. He was also undertaken tours for carrying out similar assignments abroad. 

Despite having been blessed with gifted qualities, Sohail has been one of the under-achievers so far. He deserves to be accorded supported and recognized at top levels for doing a fabulous job with modest resources. 

He has progressed at the strength of his talent and passion but the time has come for those having the authority to lend him a helping hand. A down-to-earth person, he is easily accessible and doesn’t seem to have any egoistic problems. 

His work ethics are well and truly exceptional. His friendly nature allows him to get along with people, irrespective of their status, rather easily. 

Massage therapy is one of the vital elements in sports as it offers benefits like stress and pain reduction, improved sleep and mood, increased flexibility and circulation, and boosted immune function. It also helps lower stress hormones, release feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin, and can be effective for various conditions including arthritis, chronic fatigue, and sports injuries.

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Anwar-ul-Haq considers Dr Waqar Masood most suitable for helming PCB

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Anwar-ul-Haq, a former cricketer turned commentator and analyst, strongly reckons that Dr Waqar Masood Khan, an eminent economist with wide-ranging experience of both public and private sectors, is the most suitable person to head the affairs of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

In an exclusive session with PNFS recently, Anwar, who was one of the most prolific opening batsmen in the country for a long time, felt that the game of cricket in Pakistan will benefit greatly if Dr Waqar was tasked with the responsibility of leading the PCB. 

It may be recalled that Dr Waqar had retired from government service in 2017 while he was appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) in 2020. He was also given a mandate to raise maximum revenue as part of compliance to the IMF programme. 

Having done PhD in Economics and Masters in Political Economy from Boston University Massachusetts, United States, and Masters in Economics and LLB from the University of Karachi, he was accorded the status of a Minister of State, being assigned to carry out reforms within the tax machinery. 

Dr Waqar had earlier served as the Federal Secretary in Finance Division, prior to holding several prestigious positions in the Federal Government including Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary Finance Division, and Secretary Economic Affairs Division. 

As Anwar has pointed out, Dr Waqar, hailing from a sporting family, has a rich background of playing cricket as well which made could enable him to understand and manage the affairs of the game much better than those bureaucrats and politicians without such first-hand experience. 

Indeed, the Pakistan cricket affairs have not been managed properly in those times when its helmsmen have remained engaged in preoccupations leaving the ground open for conspiracies and mischiefs by people entrusted with the responsibilities in good faith. 

A full-time administrator, well versed with sound knowledge and experience of cricket as well as management aspects, is more likely to come good rather than those doing it with limited or negligible time at their disposal. 

Anwar’s recommendations do make sense and the Pakistan cricket stands a better chance of redeeming itself if Dr Waqar, having proven track record besides clean reputation, was brought in as the new boss. He could turn it around, if allowed the powers to do so.

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