Pakistan start their tour of Australia tomorrow in Sydney. This is an important match because Pakistan will be playing Australia in the opening match of the Super 12s in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup at the same venue around this time of the year next year.
Talking of the SCG – perhaps the greatest innings played by a Pakistani batsman at the venue was from Asif Iqbal in 1977 during a famous Test victory for Pakistan. I recently interviewed him on his extraordinary career. It makes for a fascinating listen. Perhaps the modern generation don’t know much about him, but statistically he scored more Test centuries than the current Pakistan head coach cum chief selector Misbah ul Haq. Asif Iqbal had a highly impressive conversion rate and overseas Test batting record.
In 1977 he retired from international cricket after scoring a century against the West Indies in Jamaica in a Test match. However, Pakistan had not played India since 1961 and Asif Iqbal only started his Pakistan Test career in 1964. Asif Iqbal actually played against a touring Pakistan side in 1961 while he was starting his domestic career in India before migrating soon after. Therefore after the 1977 series in the West Indies because of his Indian roots and the fact that there hadn’t been a series against India for a decade and a half he said in a light hearted mood “If ever Pakistan play India, if I am alive or even if I am in my grave I will like to make myself available for selection.”
It is a fascinating history on Pakistan Cricket in the 1960s and 1970s in the interview.
Other quotes from the interview:
“I couldn’t handle Sarfraz Nawaz as a person” – On Sarfraz’s non selection for the 1979-80 India tour.
“Imran had assured me he was fit” – When Imran Khan injured himself during the 1979-80 India tour in Mumbai and this was a major factor in the series defeat.
“We just laughed” – When Sunil Gavaskar made 36* from 174 balls in the 1975 World Cup against England. Asif captained Pakistan in that tournament in England.
“Mushtaq Mohammad was the most underrated legspinner. If you ask me today I would say he was under bowled. He was far better than any other legspinners I played with” – On Mushtaq Mohammad the bowler.
“I regret not changing the batting order in the 1979 World Cup semi final after the partnership between Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan. More experienced players should have been sent first” – On Pakistan collapsing in the 1979 World Cup semi final.
“I lost interest in playing for Kent after that” – On his removal as Kent Captain in 1977 after leading them to the 1977 county championship title because he joined World Series Cricket after being assured that because he at that stage retired from international cricket – therefore being told his involvement in World Series Cricket wouldn’t affect his Kent future.
“No comparison between Alan Knott and Wasim Bari” – Asif Iqbal on comparing the two wicket keepers rates Alan Knott in a different league all together. He played alongside both men who were highly rated for their wicket keeping skills at Kent and Pakistan respectively and therefore is well placed to make a judgement on this.
“The innings of my life” – When reflecting on scoring 146 at number 9 in 1967 at the Oval.
“Current cricketers owe a lot to Kerry Packer for the rewards they are getting now” – On Packer’s influence in the game for bringing money, colour, glamour and innovations into cricket and really revolutionising the sport in the late 1970s through his ideas and hard work.
“I can never get it out of my system” – On being blown away by the standing ovation he received at Eden Gardens during his final international appearance in 1980.
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