Pakistan cricket needs to look beyond privileged group of former players

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan have crashed out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 well before the start of the knockout phase of the tournament. Isn’t it shameful and disgraceful to perform so poorly at home? Was there any element of shock or even surprise in their early ouster from yet another major global event? 

For those who are well versed with the dynamics of Pakistan cricket, there was hardly any astonishment in the outcome. As a matter of fact, the kind of squad they had selected for the first-ever ICC tournament being staged in the country after 29 years, you didn’t need to be an expert to comprehend what was in store. 

Entering the mega event with just a solitary specialist spinner, whereas others had assembled hordes of slow bowlers, was nothing short of suicide or stupidity. It was evident that merit had been brutally compromised and quite a few talented players were dropped for inducting those who carried recommendations from influential persons. 

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) succeeded in finding resources for renovating cricket stadiums in Karachi and Lahore, at whatever costs, they probably didn’t get the time to turn their efforts in ensuring the formation of a squad which was competitive in the field to say the least. 

It is nothing new really because, in the recent past, the PCB has been held hostage by a group of former cricketers who continue to call the shots at their own whims. 

For the last 15 to 20 years, the Pakistan cricket administration has revolved around the likes of Wasim Akram, Rameez Raja, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aslam, Ijaz Ahmed, Aqib Javed, Haroon Rasheed, Mansoor Rana, Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim and a few years. Directly or indirectly, these guys have been running the show in accordance to their own preferences and priorities. 

The heads of the PCB have kept changing, but these former cricketers have had the clout to find their way in the management by hook or by crook. That’s why there is a consistency in intrigues and politicking all along. 

Why don’t the PCB helmsmen turn to people of credibility and proven track record like Aamir Sohail, Jalaluddin, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif and Saeed Anwar? Why don’t we get to see these worthy gentlemen, who served the cause of the game with distinction, in the PCB administration? 

Instead of incorporating cosmetic changes, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, should immediately look beyond those who have encircled him to fulfill their own agendas. He should sideline the likes of Wahab Riaz, Aqib Javed, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq whose controversial policies have hurt the interests of Pakistan cricket. 

Misbah and Waqar were chiefly responsible for orchestrating the conspiracy against Sarfaraz Ahmed, undoubtedly the most successful of all the Pakistani captains in the recent past. They were guilty of indulging in petty politics to remove Sarfaraz from the scene and hand over the leadership of the team to the quartet of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan. Together, they have destroyed Pakistan cricket. 

Well, the immediate remedy in my opinion is to take Younis Khan the great on board. He is one person who should be entrusted with the task of building youth cricket. 

He has the rare ability to groom and develop the kind of modern-day cricketers who can graduate to the next level. He can easily contribute to Pakistan cricket what Rahul Dravid did to Indian cricket. 

The PCB will be advised to induct only those former cricketers in the set-up who have had clean record in the past and they are not greedy. Handpicking those with dubious character record may not serve purpose even if they enjoyed some success in the field during their playing days.

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Reliving ODI’s first-ever hat-trick by Jalaluddin

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Not sure how many of the modern generation of the game’s followers know about it but the fact remains that limited overs international cricket was introduced accidentally on January 5, 1971. The first-ever One-day International was abruptly organized between hosts Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground only when the New Year Test between the two traditional rivals was abandoned due to rain.

It was more than 11 years and 157 matches later when the first-ever hat-trick in ODIs was finally recorded on September 20, 1982 at Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad (Sindh). The 23-year-old Jalaluddin, the tall fast bowler from Karachi, immortalized himself by achieving the feat which also earned Pakistan 59-run victory over Australia in the opening encounter of three-match series. 

Although the final margin suggested otherwise, it was far from a one-sided win for the hosts. The Aussies were very much in the hunt for the target of 230 in 40 overs when Jalaluddin, already having dismissed the great left-hander, Allan Border, came on to bowl what turned out to be a most sensational over. 

He started the slump by castling the dangerous Rodney Marsh and then accounted for Bruce Yardley and Geoff Lawson on the next couple of deliveries to complete a hat-trick, the first in the history of ODIs. The hat-trick derailed Australia completely as the crashed from 162 for four to 162 for seven in a matter of three deliveries. 

They were eventually restricted to 170 for nine in 40 overs with the tailenders, Jeff Thomson and Terry Alderman, unable to hit out in the final overs. Jalaluddin, with a four-wicket haul, was credited for also bowling Pakistan to victory besides achieving the first-ever hat-trick. 

The kind of impact Jalaluddin made in his initial appearances at the international level, he was supposed to play many more matches for the country than actually he did. He was sidelined unjustly and treated harshly by the selectors as well as the movers and shakers of the game in Pakistan. It was nothing short of tragedy that he was fielded in only six Tests and eight ODIs despite the enormous talent he possessed. 

The politicking and victimization during his playing days did not deter from delivering the goods as a coach, organizer and administrator after hanging his boots. He revolutionized the concept of cricket coaching in Pakistan with his scientific approach and he succeeded in putting to use his wealth of knowledge admirably to continue producing and grooming innumerable promising youngsters. 

Despite his unmatchable track record, his services have yet not been acquired properly by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reasons best known to the people having headed the body from time to time. It’s an open secret that he has the vision and the remedy to turn the Pakistan cricket around, if provided an opportunity. 

Isn’t it a shame that incapable and incompetent coaches of all kinds have been tried in the recent past but Jalaluddin was hardly ever offered a worthy assignment to arrest the decline of Pakistan cricket? Hopefully better sense will prevail in near future. 

For the moment, Jalaluddin has relocated in USA, where cricket remains his passion too as he could be watched and viewed contributing his bit in the grounds. Recently, he was happily celebrating the 42nd anniversary of his hat-trick in Houston with his trainees. “September 20, 1982 indeed was a memorable day of my life and cricket history,” he reiterated.

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Nasir Shah becomes first recipient of Global Sports CBF award

Pakistan News & Features Services

Nasir Ali Shah, a former first-class cricketer from Karachi, became the first recipient of the Cricketer Benefit Fund (CBF) award, instituted by the US-based Global Sports Inc. 

He was an opening batsman who played for Karachi, United Bank Limited and Pak PWD. He also captained his teams on many occasions. 

The presentation ceremony was held recently at the Karachi Gymkhana in which Younis Khan, a former Pakistan captain and holder of many Test records, handed over the cheque of PKR five lacs to Nasir Shah on behalf of Global Sports. 

The presence of Younis, a legendary top-order batsman with a number of records under his belt, was a massive source of encouragement to the organizers and promoters of the noble cause, jointly undertaken by a few of former Pakistani cricketers and philanthropists having relocated in USA.

The ceremony was organized through the courtesy of Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler and the highest qualified coach of the country, currently visiting his home city. Anwar-ul-Haq, Naeem-ul-Haq, Waqar Hussain and Zafar Ahmed were among the other cricketers present on the occasion. 

Naeem, who played for Karachi, Pak PWD and Pakistan Customs, has been a part and parcel of Global Sports since its inception around 17 years ago. He had specially travelled from Orlando, USA, to be part of the presentation ceremony in Karachi. 

Having been associated with Global Sports as its Vice President, Advisor and Coach, Naeem is acknowledged as the person to have floated the idea of supporting former cricketers back home which led to the formation of the CBF and Nasir Shah was selected as the recipient for the inaugural award. 

In a brief conversation with PNFS, Naeem informed that besides being an outstanding cricket player, Nasir mentored quite a few of his teammates, including him, and he was widely respected for his leadership qualities. 

Naeem also disclosed that the CBF will announce the next beneficiary for 2022 during the Diversity Cup Tournament, scheduled to be held in Detroit, Michigan, next July.

He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and patrons of Global Sports, particularly its Founder President, Shahid Ahmed, and Dr Shaukat Rashid of Ohio, to have launched the initiative which will be their token contribution for recognizing the silent soldiers and unsung heroes of the game.

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APL is nothing more than club level cricket: Jalaluddin

By Arif Afzal Usmani 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s former Test fast bowler and internationally acclaimed coach, Jalaluddin, has lashed out at the organizers of the ongoing American Premier League (APL) Cricket Tournament which has failed miserably in attracting the masses.

“APL has been founded in a dubious manner as the event organizers don’t have adequate experience of running franchise cricket which has its own demands and template. Franchise cricket tournaments are run on the basis of players participation and pumping of big money with both these elements clearly lacking in APL,” Jalaluddin, having relocated in the United States, commented in a brief chat with this scribe. 

“This event doesn’t seem to have any value. They had been granted the permission to hold the tournament on certain conditions which didn’t allow the participants of the Minor League to take part in this competition. APL is nothing more than club level cricket,” he reckoned.

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Detroit ready to host Champions Cup 2021 in July

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Cricket returns to Detroit in a big way as all is set for the second edition of the Champions Cup to be staged here from July 2 to 5. Global Sports Inc. is ready to organize the annual event again, which was launched in 2019 but could not be held last year due to the pandemic of COVID-19. 

Cricketers from all parts of the United States will be assembling in Detroit once more as a handsome prizemoney of US$18,000 will be at stake during the four-day extravaganza. 

The winners will be pocketing a jackpot of US$10,000 while the runners-up will be collecting a purse of US$3,500. There will also be individual prizes of US$4,500 for the outstanding performers. 

Besides hosts Michigan, participants from the states of Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and North Carolina among others will be in action during the upcoming Champions Cup 2021. 

A couple of teams from neighbouring Canada had also confirmed their entries for the event but sadly they won’t be able to come over to Detroit due travel restrictions. 

The Champions Cup provides greater opportunity for the local cricketers as the tournament rules, unlike most other events, don’t allow teams to field players from other states. It’s good for the younger players who can make it to the state outfits. 

Having been associated with Global Sports Inc. for the last many years, I have personally witnessed the passion and commitment of their top functionaries who remain eager to promote cricket not only in Michigan but all over the US. 

It may be recalled Troy Tigers had emerged triumphant in the inaugural Champions Cup in 2019. Let’s wait and see which team steals the limelight among 10 participants this time round. 

Let me acknowledge the contribution of Shahid Ahmed and Dr Shaukat Rashid in launching the Champions Cup which is expected to become one of the most sought after annual cricket events in the region. 

Meanwhile Global Sports Inc. will also be organizing Level-II Coaching Course from July 2 to 4. Pakistan’s former Test fast bowler, Jalaluddin, who pioneered the concept of modern coaching there, will be the centre of attraction once more as he will pass on his terrific knowledge about the game to the American teenagers. 

Having played lots of cricket with Jalaluddin for Pakistan Customs, where he was also our captain, it’s always a privilege and pleasure to work alongside him and once again I will be there to assist him in the three-day coaching course. I am eagerly looking forward to the action packed weekend in Michigan early next month.

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Younis Khan’s punctuality, modesty charms Memon community

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Younis Khan, a former Pakistan captain and the highest run-getter for the country in Test cricket, gladdened the hearts of the participants, guests, dignitaries and organizers of the KMA Sports Gala 2020 during its opening ceremony, in which he was the chief guest, held at the KPT Sports Complex, Karachi, on February 1.

It’s not often that the chief guest, irrespective of his own stature or that of the hosts, arrives right on time but Younis Khan, widely respected for his gentlemanly actions, broke the tradition by reaching the venue of the ceremony at the designated time of 10 am. 

Everyone present on the occasion was pleasantly surprised to watch the batting great enter the KPT Sports Complex in time which allowed the opening ceremony to take place in accordance with the original plan, instead of being forced to alter it because of the delayed arrival of the chief guest.

The colorful opening ceremony of the KMA Sports Gala 2020 was made memorable by the presence of the cricketing heroes of the caliber of Younis Khan, Jalaluddin and Haris Ahmad Khan. 

It seemed to be in the fitness of things that the first-ever sports gala to be organized by the Kutiyana Memon Association (KMA) Education Board was graced by such eminent personalities of the sporting world. 

Jalaluddin, a Test fast bowler, who holds the distinction of recording the first-ever hat-trick in One-day Internationals, is now among the highest qualified cricket coaches of the country.

Both Younis Khan as well as Jalaluddin appeared to be overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the students and teachers of the KMA-run educational institutions which was evidenced by their fabulous display in the opening ceremony. 

The atmosphere at the KPT Sports Complex was nothing short of electric and there were thousands of spectators watching the spectacle at the football ground. 

With more 6,500 students enrolled at the various schools and college of the KMA, it was not surprising to find such big number of people having assembled for the opening ceremony. 

Younis Khan, granted well-deserved hero’s reception upon arrival at the stadium, was full of smiles and praise for the KMA officials to have organized a sports gala in befitting manner. 

“It seems like the Pakistan Day or the Independence Day. It’s wonderful to have such animated surroundings. It’s really lovely to watch the students being so passionate about sports. It augurs well for the country,” Younis Khan declared amidst loud applause. 

Jalaluddin, having trained hundreds of young cricketers at his academies over the years, was also impressed with the initiative and he hoped that it would be beginning of something big for the students of the KMA educational institutions. 

“The organizations like the KMA, who have the infrastructure as well as the resources, can play a vital role in building sports culture in the society. Their students will benefit a great if they could be engaged in competitions and tournaments of sports on a regular basis,” Jalaluddin opined. 

Haris Khan, the tall off-spinner, was appreciative of the decision of the KMA Education Board to launch a sports gala and expressed the hope that it will go on to become an annual event on their calendar in future.

Indeed it's a great beginning as far as the KMA Sports Gala is concerned and judging by the success of its opening ceremony there are strong enough indications of it becoming a regular feature.

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Fawad Ijaz Khan to lead Pakistan Super Veterans in England

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s Super Veterans (Over-60) cricket team will be creating history of sorts as they embark on a two-week tour of England on June 15.

According to the information made available on June 14, all-rounder Fawad Ijaz Khan, who is also Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), will be leading the squad which is scheduled to play five limited-overs matches in England. 

Ijaz Faqih, a former Test all-rounder, has been appointed as the vice-captain for what’s going to be the first-ever tour to be undertaken by Super Veterans of the country.  

Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, CEO, PVCA, will be accompanying the team as manager while former Test bowler, Jalaluddin, who performed the first-ever hat-trick in One-day Internationals, and Kaleem Zia Khawaja will be travelling as the head coach and the assistant manager respectively. 

The Super Veteran squad also includes former Test players, Mansoor Akhtar and Ashraf Ali, besides P J Mir, who had represented Pakistan by the name of Pervez Mir during the inaugural World Cup in 1975, and Nadeem Omar, President, Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA).

Arif Habib, Tahir Shah, Basharat Ali Babar, Haji Ashraf, Badar Ansari, Aminullah Khan Raisani, Sajid Kabir and Nadeem Yousuf are the other members of the touring squad with Muhammad Akram and Altaf Aziz being reserve players. 

Pakistan’s Super Veterans will be playing a couple of matches of 50 overs each against hosts England and the touring Australian Veterans Team. 

They will also play three 45 overs-a-side matches against the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. 

They will open the tour with a game against Yorkshire at Woodlands Cricket Club, Bradford, on June 17 before taking on Lancashire at Heywood Cricket Club, Heywood, on June 19. 

They will be up against England Veterans at Oswestry Cricket Club, Shropshire, on June 21 before meeting Australian Veterans at the same venue three days later. They will play the final game of the tour against Cheshire at Warrington Cricket Club, Warrington, on June 26. 

Meanwhile the PVCA has expressed its gratitude to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, for his personal intervention in getting UK visas of some of the players from the British High Commission.

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VFCC proceed to KL with high hopes of winning Titan’s Cup

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News &  Features Services)

Vital Five Cricket Club (VFCC), having emerged as one of the leading clubs of Karachi in a rather short span of time, will be participating in the inaugural KL Titan’s Cup T20 Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament 2017 being staged in Malaysia.

A 21-member VFCC squad, comprising of 16 cricketers and five officials, will be flying out to Kuala Lumpur in the wee hours of December 22 to compete in the two-week long international event. 

Left-arm spinner Faheem Ahmed will be captaining VFCC with opening batsman Hassan Mahmood to be his deputy. Saad Alam and Ali Imran are the other openers in the squad while Rameez Raja and Akbar Babar are the specialist middle-order batsmen.

Shaharyar Ali Rizvi has been selected as the wicketkeeper batsman while Yasir Hussain, Ansar Mushtaq and Khurram Shahzad are the three all-rounders. Waqar Anwar, Hamza Ansari Ammar Khan and Huzaifi Hussain Alvi are the medium-pacers while Arsalan Hussain and Shaharyar Tanvir are the lead spinners.

Javed Raza Naqvi will be the chef de mission while Waqar Hussain will be the manager with Jalaluddin, Anwar-ul-Haq and Haris Khan to be the head coach, the batting coach and the bowling respectively.

The 12 participating teams in the KL Titan’s Cup T20 Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament have been divided equally in two groups for the preliminary rounds.

VFCC has been placed in the Group B alongwith FRCC, Haji Baba CC, Pak Flag CC, TSCC and Eleven Star CC while the Group A comprises of Active CC, Islamabad Green CC, Moin Khan Academy, Spartans CC and Xchanging Warriors.

At the end of the league matches, the top four teams from both the groups will qualify for the knockout stage of the competition starting with quarter-finals.

Meanwhile VFCC hosted a dinner reception prior to the departure of the squad at the Karachi Gymkhana on December 19 in which Younis Khan, a former Pakistan captain and the leading scorer of runs and centuries for the country in Test cricket, was the chief guest. Prolific Test batsman

Asad Shafiq was also present in the ceremony, largely attended by the officials and members of the club alongwith the Kuala Lumpur bound squad.

Speaking briefly on the occasion Younis Khan didn’t mince words in stating that the promotion of club cricket merited greater attention than the development of academies.

He lauded the efforts of VFCC in promoting cricket from the grassroots level and then fast tracking the development of young cricketers by sending them abroad to compete in international events like the KL Titan’s Cup.

Javed Raza, Chairman, VFCC, shared the aims and objects of the club, expressing his satisfaction over its phenomenal growth from the outset which he attributed to team work and the blessings of the present and former superstars of the country.

“We envision creating a safe, enjoyable and productive environment in which club cricket could excel while our mission is to bring back professional club culture through structuring and by engaging into positive and competitive cricket. We are on course of achieving of achieving of becoming the top cricket club of Karachi,” he disclosed.

Jalaluddin, a former Test cricketer and Head Coach of VFCC, described the club as an offshoot of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA) and both the institutions were working hand in hand to accomplish the mutual goal of grooming the young talent and preparing them for tougher battles.

He recalled the outfits of VFCC as well as the CCA have had excellent track record abroad, having won tournaments in India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the recent past.

Khalil Masood, an ex-Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Patron in Chief of VFCC and CCA, complimented Jalaluddin and his team for having delivered consistently during the last couple of decades to raise the bar.

“Our concept of providing coaching, participation in competitions and welfare of youngsters has set an example to follow for others. Our team of coaches has done a commendable job over the years to attain their present status,” he acknowledged.

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Jalaluddin, Qadir Qureshi hail Toyota Highway Motors’ Go Green Mission

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prominent members of cricketing community have come out to make Karachi green and joined hands with Toyota Highway Motors in planting trees in a bid to check growing environmental pollution to some extent.

Noted cricketers like Pakistan's most successful outgoing captain Misbah-ul-Haq, spin magician of his time, Iqbal Qasim, former Test opener, Sadiq Mohammed, former Test all-rounder Ejaz Faqih, hockey Olympian and 1984 Los Angeles gold medalist, Hasan Sardar, and ex-Junior and a member of 1979 Junior World Cup winning team in France Jan Mohammed, are among the figures who have planted trees to go all out with the slogan one tree each to make Karachi green. 

The latest in series of the prominent sportsmen was Jalaluddin, the man who who had the distinction of accomplishing the first hat-trick in One-Day International against Australia at Niaz Stadiim Hyderabad 32 years ago. 

The former Test fast bowler and now a highly quailed coach was the guest of honour to plant a tree on May 13. Among other dignitaries to grace the occasion was the veteran journalist Abdul Qadir Qureshi, the Chief Editor of Jumbo Karachi Guide, who had been promoting Go Green cause through his reporting since he was a junior reporter.

Lack of greenery in this part of the country has been portrayed as a big problem as the governments of today and yesterday showed least interest in developing greenery in the wake of all time high environmental pollution, more specially in Karachi, the world's seventh populous city which is the business hub of the country but far behind in greenery concept. 

While other organizations have had limited success to meet national expectations in this regard, Toyota Highway Motors, just a few kilometers from Sohrab Goth (Zero Point) on Super Highway, has come out with the daunting task to share the mission to make Karachi Green and to slightly remove the stigma on this once city of lights. 

Having set a target of planting 5,000 trees as initial count for their mission, the company’s CEO Shujaat Sherwani announced that they provide one plant free of cost to each of their car buyer.

As part of the mission they introduced a unique concept of inviting Pakistan's sports legends to promote the slogan of Green Karachi. 

This slogan started with Pakistan's most successful test captain Misbah-ul-Huq who was visibly moved by the idea and highly appreciative of the same while planting a tree along Super Highway, followed by other legends. 

With carrying out the mission of this Green Slogan, Shujaat Sherwani extended warm reception to the eminent visitors, also awarding them attractive shields besides paying them tributes for their services and bringing fame and name to Pakistan. 

"It has always been my passion to honour sporting legends and be a humble promoter of Go Green and this has doubled my enthusiasm,” he observed in a brief speech on the occasion. Maintaing their tradition officials of the Toyota Highway Motors led by its CEO Shujaat Sherwani, General Manager Sales and Marketing, Shad Ali Khan, Ahsan Sherwani, Manager Sales, Irfan Zaidi, gave a standing ovation to both Jalaluddin and Abdul Qadir Qureshi. 

Giving his reaction, Jalaluddin said initially he was reluctant to come for a visit here because of lack of information, but now he was highly impressed with the missionary zeal being exhibited by Shujaat and his team for a noble cause besides extending a true respect to country's legendary figures.

"Go Green is a great concept and our country badly needs to overcome the serious problem of environmental changes which is risking the lives of millions of Karachiites. I am highly impressed to see lots of trees having been planted already,” he complimented. 

He described it a great mission and said that the one-car-one-tree was certainly a unique and novel idea to promote the cause. 

He said that he felt himself proud for planting a tree here and he will come again to see his plant having grown as a big tree consuming pollution to some extent. 

Shujaat Shewani appreciated the services rendered by Abdul Qadir Qureshi in the domain of journalism through his positive reporting skills and regretted that presently positivity was on the way to extinction with negativity having taken strong roots. 

The veteran journalist, in his speech, enlightened the gathering by sharing his experiences, particularly those related to coverage of various Presidents and Prime Ministers during their visits abroad. 

On the occasion, Shujaat Sherwani presented a Max Dirt Track official shirt to Jalaluddin which is designed to promote newly developed world class track in Hub on Sindh-Balochistan borders. He recalled that Captain of 2009 World T20 winning team Younis Khan also attended the Max Dirt Rally and took a round of track and complimented the organizers for promoting this popular sport.

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Youth development holds key to US cricket future: Naeem-ul-Haq

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Cricket has certainly come alive in a big way in the United States of America (USA) with back-to-back Twenty20 Internationals between the West Indies and India, staged at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, in August..

The All-Star series and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) had paved the way for the return of international cricket in the USA but the recent series between the West Indies and India seemed to have done enough to ensure a future for the sport in the country. 

The monumental success of these two matches appears to have gladdened the hearts of the entire cricket community in America in general and they are looking forward to capitalizing on this fever. 

Naeem-ul-Haq, a former cricketer and now a qualified coach, has always been optimistic about the future of the game in his adopted country despite all the challenges. 

Having started his career in his hometown Karachi, where he played first-class cricket for his employers Pakistan Customs before relocating in USA, he has believed that better results could be accomplished if the organizational matters were taken care of professionally and there was greater emphasis on the youth development programmes.

In an interview, Naeem-ul-Haq, who worked as one of the coaches of the United States of America Cricket Association (USACA), reckoned that engaging the youngsters was the best way forward for the further development of cricket. 

“There are a few organizations dedicated to introducing cricket to American children as they look to support local youth cricket by sharing funding, printed and digital resources, and best practices. They also have a network of dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and money to bring cricket to schools,” the former coach of the South East of the USACA, covering the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, remarked. 

Naeem-ul-Haq, who has been associated with the Global Sports, a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Michigan, revealed that the inaugural Youth Diversity Cup, which is going to be the first tournament of its kind in the USA, was due to be launched next summer. 

“We have worked out a plan to organize the Youth Diversity Cup on the sidelines of the Diversity Cup, which is an established annual tournament, next July. The event will add value to the local communities by promoting an active lifestyle for all children through the playing of cricket,” he added.

Naeem-ul-Haq further disclosed that, as part of their training programmes, the Global Sports had organized a coaching certification course a couple months ago in Michigan. 

“There were a dozen participants in the Level-1 certification for cricket coaches, conducted by Jalaluddin, Level-4 coach certified by the ECB and a former Test cricketer from Pakistan. The coaches learnt basic skills to teach the game of cricket to upcoming cricketers,” he informed. 

While Naeem-ul-Haq welcomed the initiatives of playing international matches in America in order to explore new areas, and promote cricket besides the hosting of the CPL 2016 and the All-Star series between Sachin Tendulkar’s Blasters and Shane Warne’s Warriors in 2015, he insisted that the youth development held the key to the future of cricket in USA. 

“The Americans indeed wish to see cricket, especially T20, which is not too dissimilar to baseball, which is one of the most popular sports in the region. But the purpose will not be fully served until a sizeable chunk of their youth turns to cricket,” he concluded.

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Anwar-ul-Haq lauds CCA, desires coaching role for Jalaluddin at national level

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Anwar-ul-Haq, a former opening batsman, has lauded the services of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), having hit headlines lately by annexing the Rajiv Gandhi Under-15 Trophy Cricket Tournament in Chennai, India.

“The CCA, founded by Jalaluddin, the highest qualified coach of the country, has been doing a fabulous job over the years and the recent triumph of their Under-15 outfit in India is just another feather in their cap,” the former first-class cricketer turned analyst remarked in an interview. 

“The manner in which the CCA teenagers performed in India recently very clearly brought to light the virtues of modern coaching and training. They were able to outsmart their opponents because they possessed talent as well as the desired grooming,” Anwar-ul-Haq thought.

“It’s quite an accomplishment on part of the CCA Under-15 outfit to have overwhelmed Tamil Nadu by 47 runs at Marina Cricket Ground in Chennai. After winning and losing a game in pool stage against Chennai and Haryana respectively, CCA remained undefeated in three knockout matches. It’s never easy to perform well in the alien conditions so the boys deserved to be hailed for doing it there,” he reckoned. 

“Besides their cricketers the entire support staff and the management of the CCA deserved accolades for this victory in India. There were some brilliant individual performances alright like that of opener Saim Ayub, who clinched a couple of Man of the Match awards besides winning Man of the Tournament trophy, but it was the teamwork that led to success in challenging environment,” Anwar-ul-Haq pointed out. 

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should also lay greater emphasis on training and coaching in addition to running its academies. They should engage the trainers all over the country in a proactive manner to let them coach the talented youngsters to let them unfold their skills,” he suggested. 

Anwar-ul-Haq felt that Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler and one of his contemporaries, on account of his accomplishments as founder head coach of the CCA, should be provided an opportunity to be a part of the coaching setup of the national team or the national academies.

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Jalaluddin pledges for lifetime affair with cricket

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Boosted by the glowing tributes showered upon him, Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, has pledged to continue working for the cause of the game until his last breath. 

During his brief address in the launching ceremony of ‘2015: Jalaluddin’s Tribute Year’ here at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on November 27, the highest qualified coach of the country vowed to have a lifetime attachment with the sport which has earned him fame and recognition. 

Pakistan Customs has ventured to pay tribute to Jalaluddin in a befitting manner in view of his overwhelming contribution to the game of cricket. A grand gala dinner in his honour will be organized at a five-star hotel while an exhibition T-20 match between Pakistan Stars-XI and Pakistan Customs-XI, dedicated to him, will be staged at National Stadium, Karachi. 

Some other side events like the launching of a book on the history of Pakistan Customs cricket and conducting a seminar on cricket coaching are also planned to be a part of the programme to be held in January-February 2015. 

“I feel really touched and overwhelmed lavished by our departmental chiefs. I could not have made it where I am today without their unstinted support. They have been very considerate and accommodating towards the cause of sports in general and cricket in particular. Now it’s my duty to reciprocate by devoting the rest of my life in serving the interests of cricket as well as our department,” Jalaluddin, the founder chief coach of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), observed in an emotional tone. 

He was responding to the compliments passed by Nazim Saleem, Chief Collector Enforcement, South, Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement South, and Khalil Masood, Ex-member Customs and former Chairman, Corporate Law Authority. 

“We have decided to celebrate 2015 as the tribute year to Jalaluddin, in recognition of his outstanding services as a player, a coach and as an administrator. He thoroughly deserves this honour. In fact we are late in doing it. Our department should have done it a few years ago,” Nazim Saleem reckoned. 

“Having played a phenomenal role in the grooming of talented youngsters from all over the country at the state-of-the-art Customs Cricket Academy in Karachi, which he has been running for the last 15 years, he has contributed overwhelmingly to be acknowledged in a befitting manner,” the Chief Collector Enforcement stated. 

“Everyone at Pakistan Customs feels proud of his accomplishments, single-mindedness and consistency of purpose. That’s why his departmental colleagues are excited about turning his benefit year’s events into a resounding success,” Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement, remarked. 

“Our collectorate has been looking after the cricket affairs at the Pakistan Customs and it’s mainly due to Jalaluddin’s efforts that we have gone from strength to strength over the years. He has played an awesome role in developing talent from the grassroots level. He has made the department proud with his accomplishments,” he complimented. 

Khalil Masood, Ex-member Customs, recalled that day about three decades ago when he had appointed Jalaluddin at the Pakistan Customs on the basis of his cricketing abilities. 

“It looks like ages ago when Jalaluddin was struggling to find a job. It was our good fortune that we offered him the employment which he gladly accepted. Since then he has proved a great asset for the department as well as the country. He has been doing a great service to the game by coaching the youngsters and turning them into professional cricketers,” the former Customs Collector said. 

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bokhari, former President, Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) and Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates.

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Pakistan Customs declare 2015 as Year of Jalaluddin

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Customs has decided to celebrate 2015 as the tribute year to Jalaluddin, a former Test bowler, in recognition of his services as a player, a coach and as an administrator. 

The announcement was made by Nazim Saleem, Chief Collector Customs, (Enforcement South), during his speech in the certificate distribution ceremony of the Pace Bowler’s Training Camp, organized by the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA) which took place on the evening of September 13. 

The Chief Collector, undertaking his maiden visit to the CCA, housed in Federal-B-Area, thoroughly appreciated the efforts of his predecessors for having supported the cause of the game by developing a state-of-the-art cricket academy. 

Nazim Saleem paid glowing tribute to the deceased CCA coach, Shabbir Hussain, besides recognizing the administrators and the coaches of the academy. He lavished Jalaluddin with praise for his single-mindedness and consistency of purpose. 

“It’s quite extraordinary how he has worked for the development of the players in the country. Let us acknowledge the efforts of Head Coach Jalaluddin for having established the CCA as the leading academy of the country. We think it’s the right time to honour Jalaluddin on his meritorious services for cricket and players development. We will hold quite a few events to pay tribute to Jalaluddin such as T-20 Cricket Match, grand gala dinner and a seminar on coaching during the coming year (2015),” the Chief Collector stated. 

He advised the management of the CCA to install a sculpture of Khalil Masood, a former collector and the founder of the academy, at the entrance to the ground in recognition of his marvellous deeds. 

Jalaluddin, in his speech, highlighted the salient features of the Pace Bowler’s Training Programme, which was organized to give an opportunity to the young and upcoming pace bowlers having talent and desiring to develop themselves as quality bowlers. He described pace bowling as a combination of talent, science and art. 

“The programme, sponsored by Omar Associates, has proved that there is no dearth of pace bowlers in Karachi. Ther event has been successful one as few of them performed well at the district level and were selected for first time for region,” the former Test fast bowler remarked. 

“Maham Tariq, the only girl who was selected for the camp, showed great improvement during the training programme and she was rewarded for his great effort by picking her for Pakistan’s women cricket team for the tour of Australia. She only had participated at district level before coming here,” Jalaluddin, who performed the first hat-trick in One-day Internationals, added. 

Meanwhile Basit Ali was declared the best bowler of the camp, Nawaz Khan was adjudged as the best learner, Abdullah Aziz was decorated as the best young bowler and Maham Tariq was recognized as the find of the camp.

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Omar Cricket Club to take on Y J XI in Vital Five title clash after Eid

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The all-conquering Omar Cricket Club have created an unusual and unexpected situation. By qualifying for the finals of all the major cricket tournaments being held in Karachi during the month of Ramazan they have put the organizers in a spot of bother. 

Since all the finals of the month-long events were scheduled to be held around same dates, it became practically impossible for them to make an appearance in all of them simultaneously. It has led to the postponement of the final of the 3rd Vital Five T-20 Ramazan Festival Tournament 2014 which will now be staged at the DHA Vital Five Cricket Academy Ground soon after Eid holidays. Omar CC’s opponents in the final will be Y J XI. 

“We have been prompted to reschedule the final, originally planned to be held on July 27, due to the engagement of one of our finalists as well as the defending champions, Omar CC, in other tournament finals. They won’t be available even on July 28, apparently the last available day of Ramazan, which has prompted us to postpone our final for a few days. New date will be announced with mutual consent of both of the finalists,” Tournament Director, Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, announced. 

Meanwhile Rameez Raja’s scintillating knock powered defending champions Omar CC into the final as they overwhelmed Tapal Cricket Club by six wickets in the semifinal. 

Rameez, who picked up Advance Telecom Man of the Match award, blasted three sixes and seven fours in his stroke-filled 53 off 24 balls while Mohammad Sami (34 off 29 balls) and Saad Nasim (32 off 20 balls) also batted freely to enable Omar CC to reach the target in 18.1 overs despite fine spell from left-arm spinner Rashid Hanif (2-29). 

Tapal CC was restricted to 157 for six in 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar (3-26) and leg-spinner Nadeem Javed (2-27) pulled it back after fighting knocks from Mubashir Ahmed (55 off 49 balls), Daniyal Ahsan (32off 21 balls) and Ali Sarfaraz (24 off 22 balls). 

Y J XI had sneaked into the final by taming Vital Five Academy by 18 runs in a low-scoring semifinal. Useful contributions from Ashraf Ali (38 off 32 balls), Wajid Ali (32 off 24 balls), Gohar Ali (25 off 18 balls) and Mohammad Irfan (20 off 15 balls) plus a breezy 15 off seven balls from Fahim Ahmed, declared Man of the Match, enabled Y J XI to reach a competitive total of 155 for seven in 20 overs despite fine bowling by left-arm spinner Mustafa Iqbal (2-33) and medium-pacer Waqar Anwar (2-37). 

Vital Five Academy lost wickets at regular intervals against the quintet of left-arm spinners, led by Yaqzan Rajput (3-36) and Osama Basharat (2-19). Even a defiant knock from Faisal Mubashir (48 off 41 balls) could not revive them and they were restricted to 137 for nine in 20 overs to get eliminated from the competition.

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Nadeem Omar reckons Karachi can produce high-quality fast bowlers

By Syed Khalid Mahmood  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Nadeem Omar, a Presidential candidate in the upcoming elections of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), has dispelled the impression that Karachi didn’t possess the capability to produce high quality fast bowlers for the top level. 

“The ethnic cultural mix puts Karachi at a huge advantage and here we do have quite a few potentially good fast bowlers. Their misfortune, however, is the quality of pitches which don’t offer them any sort of encouragement. I am convinced that Karachi will produce many fast bowlers of international quality if the pitches were made lively,” he contended during the media briefing of the Pace Bowlers Training Programme, being organized by the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA). 

He had no doubts in his mind whatsoever about the Karachi fast bowlers being capable enough to compete at the national level. “Yes I am absolutely sure that we do possess enormous talent in the fast bowling department as well. It’s just the question of polishing their skills and providing them the right kind of environment,” Nadeem Omar emphasized. 

Meanwhile a total of 16 promising youngsters, in the age group of 17 to 22 years, are being imparted one-month coaching under the guidance of the CCA Head Coach, Mr Jalaluddin. The programme, having commenced on December 15, will continue until January 14. 

The details were unveiled in a media briefing by Jalaluddin at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall. Nadeem Omar, Managing Director, Omar Associates, and Khalil Masood, former Collector of Customs, also shared their thoughts on the occasion. 

Besides the participating young cricketers, their coaches and trainers as well as some former cricketers like Abdul Raquib, Anwar Khan and Anwar-ul-Haq were also in attendance in the gathering. 

“The Pace Bowlers Training Programme is being conducted to provide an opportunity to the young and upcoming fast bowlers who have talent and capacity to graduate to the higher level. Qualified coaches feel that the raw talent should develop with the knowledge of basic bio-mechanics, physiology and attributes of physical fitness that help them in their self-development. Our programme has been designed to keep focus on these aspects,” Jalaluddin, acclaimed as the highest qualified cricket coach in the country, observed in his opening remarks. 

“The trainees have been picked in the age groups of Under-17 and Under-22 but neither of these youngsters has played much cricket yet and they are considered raw pace bowling talent. In the limited time period and also because of the resource constraints we could not hold open trials. We have selected these youngsters upon the recommendation of the various clubs of Karachi,” he revealed. 

“Although the programme is aimed at boosting the fast bowling resources of Karachi, the ultimate beneficiary will be the Pakistan cricket. A few of these bowlers, when developed perfectly, could go on to represent the country in future,” Jalaluddin felt. 

Khalil Masood, Patron of the CCA, remarked that Pakistan Customs, as a department, had a moral obligation to serve the community and it was exactly doing that by engaging the youth in such healthy activities. 

The cricketers selected for the Pace Bowlers Training Programme, being sponsored by Omar Associates, are Waqar Anwar, Nawaz Khan, Basit Ali, Noor Khan, Ihsan Afridi, Usman Ghani, Noman Saleem, Minhaj Kamal, Ahsan Iqbal, Khurram Shahzad, Sameed Qadri, Abdullah Aziz, Hammad Raza, Ahad Ali and Mohammad Raheel. A women cricketer, Maham Tariq, is also taking part in the training programme. 

The CCA will be spending around Rs 65,000 on each participant as it includes the cost of training, equipment, resource material and hospitality.

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Jalaluddin prepares Karachi Under-15 Grassroots Players Development Programme

By Syed Khalid Mahmood  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former Test fast bowler and Level-IV cricket coach, Jalaluddin, has prepared a plan by the name of Karachi Under-15 Grassroots Players Development Programme aimed improving the standard of the game on a long-term basis. 

The programme, to be spread over three months, could be organized at a total cost of Rupees five million to extract the top 20 cricketers of the city below the age of 15 years. Jalaluddin, who is the highest qualified coach of the country, has developed the plan which is tailor-made for the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) which has seven zones in its folds. 

According to the programme, in the first phase, all the seven zones will be required to send their top 30 players for selection to the panel of coaches to be headed by Jalaluddin and having a few other qualified and trained coaches. 

The coaches of panel will shortlist 20 players from each zone and the selected lot of 140 cricketers will be taking a coaching programme of one month, three days a week, in the second phase. The focus, during the one-month coaching programme, will be on basic skill development, game sense training, fitness programme and team building. 

In the third phase, the seven zones will be engaged in a tournament to be played on single league basis in which 21 matches will be contest over a period of two weeks. The matches will be played on alternate days and they would be 40-overs-a-side contest. 

In the fourth and final phase, to be spread over one month, the selection of the best players will be made on the basis of their performance. The selected 20 cricketers will be taking two-week training in an advance camp before undertaking a tour of the Punjab or abroad for a couple of weeks. At the end of the programme the performance of the selected cricketers will be evaluated for future planning.

Jalaluddin, who is expected to submit the plan to the KCCA as soon as the new office-bearers are elected sometime in August, appeared confident about its approval and subsequent implemented. “It’s wholly in the interest of Karachi cricket. 

The objective of this plan basically is to produce quality cricketers on a consistent basis. Ideally the pilot project should start as early as September. I am quite positive that the KCCA would be facilitating the project,” he hoped. 

“There has been a lot of cricket played in Karachi but the quality has remained an issue and the city has not produced a decent number of outstanding cricketers despite the abundance of talent. This has happened because mostly cricket is being played for fun or recreation. By introducing this programme we desire to let our boys get an exposure to professional coaching from the age of 15,” Jalaluddin explained. 

“When these boys will grow, having played quality cricket under the supervision of qualified coaches they will obviously be in a better position to perform at higher levels. That’s the core objective. Our youngsters should be getting proper guidance and training for unfolding their skills,” he added.

Jalaluddin, having vast coaching experience, was convinced that a revolution of sorts will be brought about if the plan was carried out every year which will ensure a very bright future for the cricketers of Karachi, who will feel much more comfortable graduating to the higher levels.

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Sports turf managers course concludes

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The two-month long training session for Sports Turf Managers, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh, with the collaboration of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), concluded with the certificate distribution ceremony at the Karachi Gymkhana on February 12.

Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Secretary Youth Affairs to the Government of Sindh, was the chief guest in the ceremony and he presented certificates among the participants of the training programme.

The selected 40 boys and girls were trained here at the CCC, under the supervision of qualified coaches, as a part of the Sindh Government’s initiative of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Programme (BBSYDP).

Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler and the Event Director, informed the audience that the training programme was run by the CCA five days a week for a period of two months and it included theory, practical work, group discussion and field study tours.

“It is a new field for sports management in Pakistan. However it has a great scope of job in other parts of the world. The CCA has acquired the services of experts of different areas of the training programme such as infrastructure development, management maintenance and equipment,” the CCA Head Coach observed.

“Youth is the future of Pakistan. The country has been blessed with enormously talented and hard-working young generation who need direction and guidance to do wonders. Our training programmes have been helpful in unfolding the talents of the youngsters whom we have facilitated by letting them enhance their skills by acquiring first-hand knowledge from the leading professionals,” Shoaib Siddiqui remarked.

Prominent among those having attended the ceremony were Mahboob Shah, a former international umpire, Waqar Hussain, Assistant Collector, Pakistan Customs, and. Haris Ahmed Khan, a cricketer-turned qualified coach.

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Pakistan’s highest qualified cricket coach deserves recognition, responsibility

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Jalaluddin, who is more famous for his accomplishment of performing the first-ever hat-trick in One-day Internationals three decades ago, has also carved a niche in the field of cricket coaching.

The former Test fast bowler, who moved the ball appreciably both ways at a lively pace, is considered as the pioneer of cricket academies in Pakistan, having introduced the concept of professional training and coaching after acquiring the necessary skills. 

It will be in the interest of the Pakistan cricket if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) utilizes his services in the field of coaching in particular. He can make a world of difference with his proven track record and the level of commitment he has shown at various levels. 

Coaching has been a weak link of the national team for a number of years and it’s really surprising that Jalaluddin’s expertise continues to be ignored despite his credentials and experience. 

The PCB functionaries should involve him in the coaching affairs in a big way, whether it’s the National Cricket Academy or the national team. He could certainly prove to be a big asset and it would be a tragedy if such powerful resource was not utilized.

Jalaluddin, with the support of like-minded friends, founded the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA) in 1999, after having done the ECB Level I course a year earlier. 

The CCA, under his leadership, has gone from strength to strength over the years, setting an example for others to follow. 

The quest for excellence and the eagerness to pass on the skills to the next generation have enabled Jalaluddin to stand out and deliver. No wonder today he stands on top of the tree. 

After having passed the ECB Level II course in 2000 and the ECB Level III course in 2001, he has now done the ECB Level IV course which is the highest degree of qualification for a cricket coach. He is an also a CA Level III qualified coach besides being ECB Tutor Level I. 

Having made the CCA a model institution, Jalaluddin has succeeded in mobilizing resources to spread his services to the other parts of the ever-expanding metropolis of Karachi, believed to be having population in the excess of 20 million.

The CCA, housed in Block 15 of Federal-B-Area, celebrated its 10 years of service in 2009. The same year he established the Jalaluddin Cricket Academy and followed it up by founding the Vital Five Cricket Academy in 2010. 

He is managing all these cricket academies professionally and contributing in the development and promotion of the sport from the grassroots level in the truest sense of the word. 

Before setting up the cricket academies Jalaluddin had devoted all his energies in building the Pakistan Customs cricket team whom he led to glories with limited resources. 

He is credited to have played a pivotal role in grooming the raw youngsters with Rashid Latif, Mohammad Sami, Hasan Raza, Asim Kamal, Azam Khan, Naved Latif, Shadab Kabir, Ali Naqvi, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ali Hussain Rizvi having gone on to play for the country.

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