SKM equals Aziz Rehmatullah’s record of 12 sports books

By bringing out Asian Glory, Syed Khalid Mahmood (SKM) has equaled the record of A Aziz Rehmatullah, who’s believed to have held the record of authoring the highest number books on the subject of sports.  

The record is being now jointly held by Aziz Rehmatullah, one of the doyens of cricket statisticians in Pakistan, and Syed Khalid Mahmood, a prolific scribe and analyst, as both of them have a dozen books each to their credit.

Aziz Rehmatullah’s maiden title, 26 Years of Pakistan Cricket, was published in 1979 and his last book, Calendar Year’s Kings, came out in 2002.

In between he authored World Cricket Annual (1980), Cricket Close Up (1981), Pakistan Test Cricketers (1981), Masters of Cricket (1982), Who’s Who in Test Cricket (1984), An Eye on Test Cricket (1986), 35 Years of Pakistan Cricket (1987), The Book of One-day Internationals (1989), Pakistan in One-day Internationals (1996) and Who’s Who in One-day Internationals (2001).

Syed Khalid Mahmood debuted as a published author with Focus on World Cup in 1987 and has gone on to write The Caribbean Challenge (1989), Pakistan’s Triumph in World Cup 1992 (1993), Pakistan: The Land of World Champions (1995), Pakistan’s Sports Greats (1997), So Near Yet So Far (2000), Spotlight on World Cup 2003 (2005), Top of the Charts (2005), Mission Caribbean (2007), Cricket Fever (2008), Reflections (2010) and Asian Glory (2012).  

Ehsan Qureshi, having pioneered the idea of publishing books on World Cup cricket tournaments, has authored eight books already and the ninth one is under publication.

He’s the author of The Book of One-day Internationals (1986), Pakistan Snooker Book (1991), World Cup 1992 (1993), World Cup 1996 (1997), World Cup 1999 (2000), World Cup 2003 (2004), Fiasco (2008) and Crash of the Titans (2011).

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Pakistan Panthers Veterans’ winning streak ends in Kandy

Karachi Observer Report

The winning streak of Pakistan Panthers Veterans in Sri Lanka came to an end when Kandurata Veterans XI defeated them by five wickets at the Trinity College Ground in Kandy on October 5.

The Pakistan Panthers Veterans outfit, captained by Fawad Ijaz Khan, had emerged triumphant in both their earlier games on the tour, having outsmarted Western Province Veterans XI at the SSC Ground in Colombo on successive days.

Kandurata Veterans XI chased down the target of 232 with 6.3 overs and five wickets in hand, after having bowled out the visitors for 231 on the final ball of the innings.

Put into bat, Pakistani Panther Veterans XI played out the full quota of 35 overs to score 231 with major contributions coming from Jaffer Qureshi (57), Rafiq Ghaziani (40), Ashraf Pakhali (31) and Mansoor Akhtar (21) while the wickets were shared by the trio of Oril de Mel (5-43), Ajith Ekanayake (3-45) and Wasantha Kumara (2- 29).

Kandurata Veterans XI remained ahead of the clock and successfully completed the task of chasing a victory target of 232 runs which they did in 28.3 overs. Suresh Peiris (78), Jalitha Ratnayake (76), Palitha Thilakasiri (20) and Lanka de Silva (34 not out) scored fluently to take the match away from the visiting side.

Pakistani Panthers Veterans XI will get an opportunity to avenge the defeat when they take on the same opponents on what is going to be their fourth and last game of the tour, also in Kandy.

Summarized scores:

Pakistan Panthers Veterans XI: 231 in 35 overs (Jaffer Qureshi 57, Rafiq Ghaziani 40, Ashraf Pakhali 31, Mansoor Akhtar 21; Oril de Mel 5- 43, Ajith Ekanayake 3- 45, Wasantha Kumara 2 -29);

Kandurata Province Veterans XI 232-5 in 28.3 overs (Suresh Peiris 78, Jalitha Ratnayake 76, Palitha Thilakasiri 20, Lanka De Silva 34 not out)

Result: Kandurata Province Veterans XI won by five wickets.

Sri Lankan authorities urged to send cricket teams to Pakistan

Karachi Observer Report


KARACHI: The Sri Lankan cricket authorities have been urged to resume sending teams to Pakistan.

The special request was made during the dinner-reception hosted in the honour of the visiting Pakistan Panthers Veterans cricket squad in Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, the other day.

Former Test captain and batting legend, Zaheer Abbas, who is also the Cricket Ambassador of the touring party, expressed the hope that the Sri Lankans will consider their request of sending their teams to Pakistan.

“The need of the hour is sending of teams to play in Pakistan. We desire Sri Lanka to play cricket in Pakistan. As neighbors and friends in cricket it’s our humble request to let other Sri Lankan cricket teams to play against Pakistan if there are reservations about sending the national team,” Zaheer Abbas remarked in his speech.

He acknowledged the Sri Lankan hospitality which made him feel the beautiful Island as his second home. He appreciated the Veterans series being arranged in the region. He conveyed his special thanks to Chandana Amaradasa and his team at Island Leisure for the excellent arrangements.

Fawad Ijaz Khan, captain of the squad and Chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), explained the importance of their role in cricket.

“In Pakistan a cricketer is considered a senior above 35 years, veteran above 50 years and super veteran above 60 years of age once he is retired from international cricketing career. When considering the conditions in the region including Sri Lanka and India, above 35 years seniors’ cricket could be promoted with a lot of competition. This would attract a lot of media and commercial sponsorships which makes it highly marketable,” the PVCA Chairman observed.

“The PVCA initiated a series of cricket matches against India which succeeded as an annual event. This tour to Sri Lanka would be another landmark event for Pakistani veterans who look forward to a Triangular Veterans Series with India and Sri Lanka in the future,” Fawad Ijaz added.

Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, CEO, PVCA, stressed on the social welfare projects being carried out by the association apart from working for the betterment of the game.

“Joining hands with Imran Khan Foundation to provide healthcare facilities in Pakistan and working towards a better retirement scheme for the cricketers feature proninently in the list of our priorities,” he said.

A few of the Sri Lankan cricketers of the past added colour to the occasion with the presence of renowned gentlemen of the game like Michael Tissera, Roy Dias, Asoka De Silva and Anura Tennekoon who shared the golden memories with their Pakistani counterparts. It was a chance for all of them to meet once again and perhaps continue with their style in cricket as veterans in the game. Mr. Upali Dharmadasa Chairman and Prakash Schaffter Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket also witnessed a Match in Colombo and met the Pakistani Team there.

A team of veteran Pakistani cricketers are currently undertaking a goodwill tour of Sri Lanka. They have played two matches in Colombo before having moved to Kandy for the last couple of games.