Pakistan bridge squad to be recognized for BFAME glories

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) has decided to recognize the national Open, Women and Seniors teams by holding a reception in their honour shortly for having performed exceptionally well in the recently concluded 15th Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) Championship 2009 staged in the Jordanian town of Amman.

The Acting President and the Honorary Secretary of the PBF, Tariq Rasheed Khan, has announced that in order to fete the seniors team for emerging triumphant and the Open and women teams for having ended runners-up in their respective events, a programme would be organized to celebrate their success at the Aslam Bridge Hall, housed in the National Stadium, Karachi, sometime next week.

Pakistan, having had an excellent record in the Zonal Championship since its inception in 1985, lived upto the billing once more with the standout performance of the seniors outfit being the highlight of their trip to Jordan.

Tariq Rasheed Khan was the Team Leader besides being the captain of the Seniors team that brought glories for the nation in what has been acclaimed as the major regional bridge event.

The other members of the Pakistan Seniors outfit were Parvez Mirza, Rashid-ul-Ghazi, Khalid Javed, Saeed Akhtar and Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi. They came up with magnificent performance to win the trophy besides qualifying for the Seniors Bermuda Bowl World Championship to be held later this year in Brazil.

Pakistan’s Open as well as Women teams also accomplished the objective of qualifying for this year’s World Championships but both of them crashed in the final and had to be content with the runners-up slot.

The Pakistan women squad comprised of Rubina Agha, Zeenat Azwer, Fizza Adamjee, Qudsia Doosa, and Najam Abid who will now be representing the country in the Venice Cup World Championship in Brazil.

Pakistan’s Open team, featuring Masood Mazhar, Mirza Shouq Hussain, Hasan Jawwad Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, Khalid Mohiuddin and Mubashir Puri, earned the right to contest this year’s Bermuda Bowl World Championship but they could not prevent India from equaling Pakistan’s record of clinching the BFAME title six times.

The Jordanian Bridge Association (JBA) hosted the BFAME Championship, with the collaboration of the Bridge Federation of Asian and Middle East (BFAME), for a record fourth time.

Besides Pakistan and Jordan the other participating teams in the 15th BFAME Championships were from Bangladesh, India Kuwait, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Syria.

It may be recalled that the Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF) had played host to the 14th edition of the BFAME Championships in 2007 and they were held with great fanfare at the picturesque Carlton Hotel in Karachi. The duo of Rehana Saigol and Tariq Rasheed Khan in particular had worked tirelessly to ensure the monumental success of the event against the heaviest of odds.

In fact the PBF had organized the event so successfully that they were approached to do it again out of turn in 2009. The BFAME officials were eager to hand over the hosting rights to the PBF once more but the deal could not materialize. The PBF, however, had volunteered to extend the technical support wherever the Championships were held.

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Sri Lanka’s rare comeback victory over Pakistan

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Sri Lanka have had their worst moments in cricket history against Pakistan. No wonder the Sri Lankans, having floored the toughest of opponents in their backyard, have yet not won a Test series at home against Pakistan.

Although the Pakistanis were far too short on experience going into the first Test at Galle with three debutants they appeared the obvious favourites to go one up in the series when they took the field on the fourth morning with just 97 needed with eight wickets standing.

In theory Sri Lanka also stood a chance and with the history of the ground on their side they could have been expected of stretching the tourists on the weary track. But with Pakistan’s reputation of doing the improbable most frequently against Sri Lanka, not many people thought of anything else except a Pakistan win within the first couple of hours of the morning session.

But the fourth morning of the game witnessed a drama that brutally exposed Pakistan’s brittle batting. The match was certainly over before the luncheon break, as was being anticipated, but the roles were reversed. It was the home side that picked up eight wickets inside the morning session to earn a famous victory.

It was not for the first time when the Sri Lankans had fought back from the dead in an international cricket game but there hardly had even been such an instance of them doing it against Pakistan.

Left-armers Thilan Thushara and Rangana Herath turned it around for the hosts with superb spells as Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for just 46. Sri Lanka won the first Test by 50 runs, a margin that looked quite substantial in the context of the game.

Although Pakistan have lost the game, it would be the hosts who would be asked more questions. The failure of their established top-order batsmen against an inexperienced bowling attack would certainly make them concerned as they prepare to close the series in the second Test.

Kumar Sangakkara, captaining his country for the first time in a Test match, was found wanting with the bat in both innings as was his predecessor Mahela Jayawardene, who had an outstanding record at the ground. It’s not often that both these great batsmen fail twice in a match.

The Sri Lankan think-tank may also have a re-look at the composition of their side that narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of a team playing a Test match abroad after more than a year and a half. The hosts will also be wondering if to consider Ajantha Mendis an attacking option against the Pakistan batsmen who have treated him as another ordinary spinner.

Pakistan, although jolted on the fourth morning, might not need any sessions or drills because they could derive pleasure for having pushed the fancied hosts to the wall on the first three days, exceeding all expectations.

Mohammad Yousuf staged his comeback in the national team with yet another century that allowed Pakistan to take the first innings lead. The trio of debutant bowlers, Mohammad Aamer, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal performed exceptionally well. Even skipper Younis Khan excelled in his new role of a medium-pacer, claiming no less than four wickets in the game. 

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Yet another unimpressive series win for India

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It were the rains, for a change, that allowed India to clinch the ODI series in the Caribbean. Although India were in the driving seat when the torrential downpour brought an early end to the fourth and final one-dayer in St Lucia but going by their past record they could have easily lost the focus and settled for a drawn series.

It’s not often when the rains have brought joys in the Indian camp but after having watched them surrender in the second game at the Sabina Park, the rainy weather of St Lucia certainly seemed to have proved a blessing in disguise for them.

The Indians had landed in the Caribbean soon after their miserable campaign in the ICC World Twenty20 in England where they had not only been dethroned but also humiliated in a most disgracing fashion.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys had very little time to regroup after the debacle in England but they were still the overwhelming favourites to prevail over the West Indies, who had gone on to reach the semifinals of the World Twenty20 event against all odds.

The Indians had arrived in the Caribbean with even bigger reputation in the past but failed to deliver with the 2007 World Cup being their worst outing in a major competition for quite sometime. They had fared miserably in the ODI series there in 2006 as well even though they were in possession of a formidable outfit under the command of Rahul Dravid.

The Indian fans, therefore, must not have taken anything for granted when Dhoni, a known aggressor, arrived with a very strong combination at his disposal. They knew that they would have greater pains to endure if they were to expect the Indians to translate their dominance into emphatic wins.

Yuvraj Singh’s dazzling knock in the first game gladdened their hearts even though the heartbeats must have stopped occasionally when the West Indians, more famous for choking under pressure than bringing about heroics, came perilously close to the Indian total.

The second game of the series was yet another classic example of India’s self destruction. As we have seen so many times in the past the ordinary mortals came up with the performance of their lifetime against India. It was the turn of Ravi Rampaul to steal the limelight at the expense of the fancied Indians.

After watching the events of the second ODI at the Sabina Park one had become completely unsure which way the series would be going. Nothing could have been ruled out if the Indians decided to play for fun and not for glory.

The Indians were in complete command of the situation in the third one-dayer at St Lucia that was hit by the weather but their supporters didn’t know until Dhoni struck a six in the final over if they would actually win the contest. One would not have been little surprised if India lost because they have had this rare quality of throwing it away when least expected to do so.

The Indians got off to a flying start in the fourth and final game too with Ishant Sharma producing lethal deliveries first to unsettle and then to remove Chris Gayle for a duck. Ashish Nehra was also bowling very well from the other end and the West Indian batsmen were barely surviving before the rains came to halt the action.

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Record breaking Federer overpowers Roddick in epic Wimbledon final

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It’s quite extraordinary how the sport of tennis keeps producing great characters who win the hearts of the millions with their artistry. Almost every era has had a living legend having charmed the followers of the game.

It was the turn of Roger Federer of Switzerland to rewrite the tennis history on July 5. By overpowering Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon 2009 final he has now become the greatest men's champion. It was his sixth Wimbledon crown and also a record 15th Grand Slam title.

The Swiss master broke the record of Pete Sampras who was watching the action in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.

When Sampras had set the record in 2002 by winning the US Open final, not many people expected it to be bettered. But the emergence of the hugely talented Federer changed the course of history and it had appeared a matter of time for the record to be broken and it finally has happened.

The 27-year-old Federer, however, was made to work extremely hard to earn the sixth Wimbledon title and his duel with Roddick lasted no less than four hours and 16 minutes as it went to the wire. He had to bring all his expertise into play to overcome his threatening rival with the scores of 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 16-14.

Victory always tastes sweeter after such epic contests and Federer had every reason to feel on top of the world after having finally floored Roddick who had simply refused to give up. He ensured that there was no repeat of the last year’s final when he had been edged out in five-set final by his nemesis Rafael Nadal.

Federer must have become accustomed to withstanding the courageous fightbacks from his rivals. He has been engaged in numerous close battles and quite remarkably he has emerged triumphant more often than not. 

Federer was certainly tested to his limits by Roddick and the tennis fans were kept glued to their seats wherever they were because the outcome was in doubt. History of sorts was created as Federer and Roddick fought it out what became the longest fifth set in Wimbledon's history.

Federer, like a true champion, kept his cool even at the tightest and tensest moments. He was observed motivating himself with a quietly growled Come-on. His Come-ons were not as loud or as aggressive as many of the past legends but there was no lack of intensity as he went for the kill.

“Tennis is cruel sometimes. I went through some five setters in Grand Slam finals too and ended up losing. It's hard. He [Roddick] did great. He's not going to let his head hang down. He's going to come back strong and play great in the States. I think it's one of the best matches we played against each other. I really thought I had to play my very, very best to come through,” a visibly exhausted Federer observed after completing the most significant triumph of his illustrious career yet. 

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Chief Justice approached for taking note of PCB irregularities

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary, has been approached for taking suo motto action against the former officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) having been found guilty of massive financial irregularities by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Razaullah Khan, the longest serving council member of the PCB, who has been known and feared for calling a spade a spade, has once more taken the initiative of bringing to book the people having been engaged in malpractices of the highest order.

“Yes I have submitted a request to the Chief Justice for taking a suo motto action against Dr Nasim Ashraf, Shafqat Naghmi and others who have been found involved in the embezzlement of funds to the tune of Rupees seven billion,” Razaullah Khan remarked in an interview recently.

“Alongwith my application to the Chief Justice I have submitted a copy of the report of the Auditor General of Pakistan that details the corrupt practices of the PCB officials. I have also brought the matter to the notice of Chaudhary Nisar Ali, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, by sending him a copy of the same report,” he added.

Razaullah Khan, who has been associated with the game of cricket in various capacities for nearly half a century now, did not mince words in stating that he has had to approach the Chief Justice after having failed to get any response from the government agencies.

“I have communicated to the Chief Justice that I have approached him after having knocked at the various doors without any response. The people in the government have their own reasons of not initiating action against the former PCB officials even though the report of the Auditor General of Pakistan has found them guilty,” Razaullah Khan said.

“The Auditor General of Pakistan has compiled the report after they had been assigned the task by the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the Patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board,” the former PCB Council member revealed.

“Now when the report has come out and it has been very clearly pointed out that the former officials of the PCB were guilty of financial embezzlement there is no reason why they should not taken to task. I have appealed to the Chief Justice to take suo motto action and register a case against them,” Razaullah Khan stated.
“Exemplary punishment must be given to the PCB officials for having misused the public money and having derived huge personal benefits besides having obliged their near and dear ones,” he pleaded.

“It was a common belief that Dr Nasim Ashraf and Shafqat Naghmi were running the affairs of the PCB at their whims. The recent report by the Auditor General of Pakistan has only confirmed that they have deprived the nation of billions of rupees,” Razaullah Khan believed.

He didn’t expect the present officials of the PCB to move against their predecessors because in his opinion there still were quite a few employees in the Board having sympathy with their former masters.

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Cricket will never be same without Vaughan

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The game of cricket will never be the same with the former England captain, Michael Vaughan, who announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket on June 30.

Vaughan's poise and grace both on and off the field were legendary and he has won more friends by quitting the game in the larger interest of England cricket. The timing of his decision showed once more that he’s a team man to the core. He has been hailed for making the decision before the start of the Ashes series.

England's most successful Test captain was not selected for the upcoming Ashes squad due to the loss of form and he could have taken a chance of reviving his fortunes by playing for the England Lions against the visiting Australians in the game starting at Worcester on July 1.

The 34-year-old Vaughan resisted the temptation of extending his international career and chose to hang his boots instead because he didn’t wish to increase the pressure on England's current Ashes squad gearing up for the big occasion.

 "It was always going to be a long shot to get me back in. There's some excellent players and, the likes of Ravi Bopara, the last thing that they needed in an Ashes series that is going to be so high profile is someone like myself getting a hundred and the media building up my chances of getting in the team,” a very sporting Vaughan said.

"Those guys need the confidence to go out and play. I had great opportunities and all the younger players and the guys in and around the team need that confidence to go out and express themselves now. I could have had the opportunity to play for the England Lions but it would have been based purely on the past and you have to move forward,” he added.

"I hope by me moving on now it gives a great opportunity for the guys to go and recreate history. The Ashes win of 2005 will be irrelevant over the next few weeks. Hopefully the team can move on and create their own piece of history," the man who led England to an Ashes victory after ages observed.

"I always like us on our home shore; I like the job Andy Flower and Andy Strauss are doing in building this unit. I'm enjoying the fact we've got bowling options that look like wicket-taking options. Yes they bat deep, but I do think we've got 20 wickets in the tank in the Test series. That's why I'm optimistic,” Vaughan reckoned.

"I haven't strategically looked at the Australian players because I haven't had to, but Straussy knows that we're good friends and if any time during the series he wants to ring me up and have a yarn, my phone will always be on. I want England to be successful. I want to be at the Oval in August with everyone celebrating a great Ashes victory,” he wished.

With the retirement of Vaughan the career of one of the most technically correct England batsmen of all time has come to an end. He remained a class act ever since making an impressive Test debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1999. Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock were firing on all cylinders but the debutant showed remarkable composure while contribute 33.

He made an even bigger impression in the role of a captain having been compared to the likes of Peter May and Mike Brearley. He commanded respect and was accorded respect from every other opposition captain and player. 

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Pakistan’s Twenty20 triumph to help in rapid cricket development

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Prof Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui, one of the most learned personalities to have taken to the field of cricket administration, firmly believes that Pakistan’s recent triumph in the ICC World Twenty20 in England will go a long way in the further development of the sport in the country.

“The nation desperately needed this kind of boost to revive our fortunes. The general feeling was that of disappointment and despair whenever breaking news appeared on the television channels. We were very reluctant to open the pages of the newspapers in the morning for the fear of coming across yet another heart-breaking headline. This has all changed in a matter of a few days and the mood of the nation looks positive now thanks to the accomplishment of our cricketers,” Prof Ejaz Farooqui, Chairman, Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), Zone II, remarked in an exclusive interview.

He agreed that the youth in particular would be the major beneficiary of the conquest of the national team against the heaviest of odds.

“Now the feeling among the youngsters all over the country is that they are the world champions. I think that the spirit will remain the same until the next couple of years at least when the next World Cup or the ICC Twenty20 would be staged in 2011,” Prof Ejaz Farooqui reckoned.

“Already things are getting in motion at every level with more and more cricket tournaments being planned. Another notable change is the increase in the attendance in the local events. Now the organizers appear more passionate than ever before to set the ball rolling,” he said.

“The body language of even the club cricketers has changed. They are also enjoying the moment. They are demonstrating greater self belief. That’s why I say that this World Cup win is well and truly motivational for our youngsters in particular,” Prof Ejaz Farooqui emphasized.

He complimented the various institutions to have recognized the national team warmly upon their return home.

“The heroes deserve to be acknowledged and admired. Our cricketers have made the entire nation proud with their sensational performance. We are a lively nation and we know how to treasure the moment,” he remarked.

“The mood was terrific throughout the tournament and we were confident that something extraordinary was round the corner because our team had peaked at the right time after having endured the early hassles. We anticipated the boys to come good in the final at Lord’s although Sri Lanka looked the stronger outfit and they had also beaten Pakistan in an earlier game,” he recalled.

“Like quite a few other places in the country, we had set up a giant screen at the Arts Council of Pakistan where the final was being televised live and the atmosphere was electric. We thought ourselves of being at Lord’s cheering for our national team. It was a memorable evening,” Prof Ejaz Farooqui, who is also the Honorary Treasurer of the Arts Council, added.

“We celebrated the victory rather emotionally and we carried a procession from Arts Council to Karachi Press Club where we disembarked after sharing our joys with the media professionals the very next day. These were the moments to cherish,” he concluded.

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Grand Master Ashraf Tai partially burnt

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Grand Master Mohammad Ashraf Tai, having a great following all over the world, has received serious burns injuries when his house, located in the Old Exhibition area of Karachi, was recently gutted due to short-circuiting.

Ashraf Tai, a martial art icon, disclosed that all his belongings at the house were completely destroyed by the fire that also caused injuries to him and his family.

“The only thing we could save, besides our lives, was the dress we were wearing. Everything else was reduced into ashes within no time. It’s the most horrible accident in my lifetime,” the Grand Master of karate remarked.

“Thanks God I was spared of a fatal injury. It could have been much more serious the manner in which the flames were engulfing everything. The fire caused injuries to my legs as the lower portion has been burnt needing a dressing on daily basis,” he added.

“The sports fraternity has reacted promptly and they have come to my relief in my hour of need. I am particularly grateful to the authorities at the ANF for having helped me financially as well,” Ashraf Tai, a recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance Award, acknowledged.

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has donated Rs 50,000 as their contribution for the rehabilitation of the Grand Master.

It remains to be seen if he’s provided the much-needed support from the government or not. He has dedicated his life for the promotion of martial arts, having become a symbol of hope to the people. He’s one of the most revered personalities of the sporting area and he rich deserves to be taken care of by the concerned departments of the government.

He has temporarily moved to an apartment in the vicinity of the area where the Headquarters of the famed Tai’s Karate Centre is housed. His students are trying their level best to ensure his comfort but obviously he needs greater help from the powers that be to resettle.One of the major problems he’s faced with is the communication. Since he is now staying in an apartment located in the basement, his cell phones don’t always get connected due to the lack of signals and he doesn’t have the facility of a landline yet in the premises he has shifted to.

“Indeed the communication has become a hassle of late and the people trying to contact me are finding it difficult to access my number. I urge my friends, students and patrons to be a little patient. Please bear with me. I am grateful to all of them for having granted me so much courage,” the Grand Master responded.

Grand Master Ashraf Tai has proved once more that he is a man of courage and fortitude, having the nerves of steel. He was back at the Headquarters of the Tai Karate Centre just a couple of days after having received the injuries.

His reappearance at the Centre provided mighty relief to his large number of students who had been worried for him after learning about the accident. He was very much there in the ANF Championship organized with typical fanfare at the Tai’s Karate Centre.

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