2 Days in the Company of Saqlain, Mushy and Rana

I awoke on Tuesday 31st July with a buzz of excitement. I may have watched hundreds of matches over the years but even these days the sense of excitement is still there when given the chance to watch some live cricket and especially when I knew that I would be watching the likes of Mushtaq Ahmed, Rana Naved ul Hasan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Chris Adams, Andrew Flintoff, Mal Loye, Sajid Mahmood, Stuart Law, Brad Hodge, Murali and others in action.

A light breakfast and a quick mental check of what I needed to take with me to the ground and I was away.

Aigburth cricket club in Liverpool is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and looked particularly picturesque as the bright sun shone down on it. It’s a ground where I have seen the likes of Muhammed Zahid, Sajid Shah and others in action, but today I was hoping to watch Rana Naved ul Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed and perhaps meet a genius by the name of Saqlain Mushtaq, one of my all time favourite cricketers.

I walked into the ground early, to see the Lancashire players doing some fielding drills and the Sussex players enjoying a game of football. A lovely move down the left wing and Mushtaq crosses the ball over to Saqlain Mushtaq who misses an open goal – oh dear Saqi, no lucrative Premiership contract with Chelsea for you!

Once the fielding drills and football kick around was over, the players started to filter back to the pavilion to prepare for the start of the match. I managed to talk my way to the members area and pavilion and noticed Rana walking towards me. As he approached me, we exchanged a smile – he was probably pleased to see an Asian face in the ground. I shook his hand and asked Rana in Punjabi if he was alright and he replied Allah da shukhar hai (by the grace of god I am fine). Immediately he came across as a humble and friendly man.

I looked towards the wicket and noticed an intriguing conversation taking place – Saqlain, Mushtaq Ahmed and Murali in full flow arms and hands waving and pointing everywhere, no doubt talking doosras, flippers and the rest. Saqlain and Murali continued their chat and then proceeded to bowl a few deliveries to each other with Sussex coach Mark Robinson also in close attendance. The discussion seemed to be centred around wrist position and footwork upon delivery. Both Doosra Kings exchanging tips no doubt.

Saqlain then proceeded to throw a few deliveries near the boundary edge to Mushtaq Ahmed who wanted some batting practice. Mushtaq to Mushtaq – a great photo opportunity I thought. I asked the Mushtaq’s if I could take some snaps of them in action (I always out of courtesy prefer to ask players if they don’t mind me taking a photo, rather than just taking them). Mushy responded to my request with a cheeky “pehlay fielding karo saday vastey (can you do some fielding for us first). I fielded a few lusty drives from Mushtaq and then ensured the photo opportunity didn’t pass me by. (All photos will be available in the PP Gallery soon).

Saqlain was one of the last players to return towards the pavilion. I approached him and said Salam to him and asked him how things were with his knee etc. He stood and chatted for a few minutes to me. I stated that I lived nearby so if I could help them in any way while they were in the area, they could just contact me. I passed on my phone number to Saqlain and thought that would be that and I wouldn’t hear from him – oh well, at least I had some nice pictures as memories of the day.

Around 2pm as I sat baking in the afternoon sun I received a call on my mobile and unbelievably it was Saqlain Mushtaq. For a few seconds I had to take a deep breath and realise that I was speaking on the phone to one of my heroes.

Saqlain gave me details of where they were staying and what time they would be free. I said to Saqlain that dinner was on me tonight and asked him what they would like me to bring to the hotel. When the call ended I still couldn’t believe that I had been chatting to Saqlain. The guy sat next to me asked me in the crowd asked if that was Saqlain Mushtaq I had been chatting to and I said yes, he quite often phones me . The cricket was engrossing but my thoughts were on meeting the Pak players later that day and how it would go.

I rang Saqlain after Tuesday’s play had ended and asked him if he was still ok for me to come to the hotel. He gave me details of Rana’s and his room and I approached the hotel on Tuesday rather nervously, rather like someone whose going for a job interview and doesn’t quite know what to expect from the people he is going to meet. The door had a Do Not Disturb sign hanging on it, but I knocked on the door and there was Rana Naved ul Hasan in front of me. Rana invited me in and asked me to make myself comfortable. He said he was waiting for Saqlain and knew that Saqi had been doing some extra work in the hotel gym. Rana stated that he had been doing some training himself and swimming after the days play and then rang Saqlain and said that “Sajid bhai agay hai, khana laiker” (brother Sajid is here with the food). A few minutes later and Saqlain strolled into Rana’s room.

Ok deep breath time again – here I was in a hotel room with Rana Naved ul Hasan and Saqlain Mushtaq! What do I say to them, what do I talk about – the nerves were getting to me. Anyway I mustered up the courage to say to them to help themselves to the food. Rana placed a couple of towels on the floor and laid out the food. Saqlain informed me that Mushy had gone out with his family who were with him currently and he wouldn’t be joining us for the meal. Anyway the three of us tucked into the food which both Rana and Saqlain seemed to enjoy. They both passed on their thanks to Mrs Saj for cooking the food and then I passed them some Pakistani mangoes and mittai (Indian sweets). Rana was especially pleased to see the mangoes and both Saqi and Rana enjoyed a mango each.

After food we sat and chatted for a while and then the three of us prayed namaaz together, with Saqlain leading the prayers. After namaaz Saqlain gave a short religious talk for a few minutes to which Rana and I listened intently.

After namaaz we chatted further and after sorting out Rana’s room air conditioning, I noticed that time had moved on to nearly 11pm. I stated to both Pakistani cricketers that I would leave now as I knew they had to wake up early to read Fajjr prayer the next day. Both thanked me greatly and asked me if I was coming to the ground on day 2. I said yes I was off work and would be attending – they both said that I wouldn’t need to buy a ticket for the days play and they would ensure that a complimentary one would be left for me at the gate.

I came home and thanked Mrs Saj for the food and told her that the players had enjoyed the meal. I was like a little kid who had just met his heroes and was hyperactive (as Mrs Saj informed me).

Wednesday didn’t come round quick enough and I approached the ground once again with excitement and anticipation. By the way, the first day’s play had ended with Sussex being bowled out for 274 and Lancs 50 for 2. I informed the ticket attendant with a big grin on my face that a ticket should have been sorted for me by Saqlain and Rana – no problems it was there and I strolled into the member’s pavilion, feeling like some sort of VIP or journalist.

I took up my seat behind the bowlers arm at the pavilion end and I started to look around to see who was doing what. I noticed that Saqlain was sat on the boundary edge as he was 12th man for this match. He looked over and noticed me and waved. I then noticed his hand encouraging someone to come near them – surely not me. He waved again and I started to walk towards him.

He asked me if I got into the ground without any problems – I said no problems at all and thanked him for the ticket. He pulled up an empty chair next to him and said sit here today – ok deep breath time and pinch myself time again. Here I was sat with Saqlain Mushtaq on the boundary edge, together with Luke Wright, Mark Robinson the Sussex coach and a couple of other reserve players. I sat with Saqlain for the whole of the Lancashire innings enjoying his company, chatting cricket with him, having a laugh with him, talking about personal stuff, family stuff, talking about what was in the newspaper that he was holding, he showed me scars on probably the most famous knees in Pakistani cricket. He told me that he never for a minute thought that he wouldn’t play again as he had faith in Allah. It was like a dream come true for me to sit with him and chat to him for a number of hours – a real privilege in fact. A lot of the stuff that we talked about will be added to Saqlain’s PP interview which I will sort out with him in future.

Saqlain mentioned to me that Saeed Anwar would be coming to the ground to meet up with him and Mushtaq, and I could meet up with him too. True to Saqlain’s word, later in the day Saeed Anwar turned up. Saeed was dressed in traditional dress and still commands a presence. A hush seemed to come over the ground as Saeed’s presence was noticed by fans. A number of players came up to greet Saeed, including Stuart Law, Flintoff who shared a few jokes with Saeed and Murali who chatted with Saeed for a while. It was great to be in the presence of a genius and another of my all time favourite players.

After Saeed had left the ground, I asked Saqlain what his plan was for the evening. He invited me around to the hotel again to meet up with him, Rana and said that Mushtaq would be there too. I wasn’t going to turn down the invitation – deep breath and pinch myself yet again time.

Play ended on day 2 with Sussex in a strong position and before I left the ground I said that I’d phone Saqlain later. I turned up at the hotel later and was invited to Mushtaq’s twin suite, where Rana and Saqlain joined us. We sat down, ate a meal, enjoying some informal chat and watched Hampshire versus Notts Pro40 match. Ok pinch myself and deep breath time again – here I was sat watching a game of cricket in the presence of 3 Pakistani international cricketers. As they discussed the game I thought I’d better keep my gob shut, in the presence of such greatness and knowledge in case I embarrassed myself.

I mentioned to Mushtaq that I remembered meeting him in 1991 when he played for Darlington cricket club as a sub overseas professional and he came to our house with his UBL colleague Masood Anwaar – to my amazement Mushy remembered and said that yes he was sat reading cricket magazines with Masood in our front room when I walked in. I also mentioned to Mushy that at that time he was famous more for his catching of Viv Richards in the Nehru Cup final, rather than his bowling. He smiled contently and Rana commented that I was some sort of cricketing computer for remembering that!

We then proceeded to pray namaaz with Saqlain leading the prayers. Yet again deep breath and pinch myself time again – I was reading namaaz behind Saqlain, flanked by Rana Naved ul Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed. Once we finished reading namaaz, Mushtaq gave a short sermon in Urdu.

We then proceeded to talk further about their families and interests etc. A fascinating evening once again in such superb company.

I informed the cricketers about PakPassion and what the site was about. They seemed impressed that we were a site for fans and run by fans.

Before I left I thanked all the cricketers for the excellent company over the last couple of days and both Rana and Saqlain said I could contact them about interviews for PakPassion at some point in the future – so watch this space.

I know some fans complain about certain Pakistani cricketers and their attitudes, however I must say that Rana, Saqlain and Mushy are real ambassadors for Pakistan. They were humble, down to earth, really friendly and made me feel so welcome in their company.

I wish the 3 of them every success in future.

Here's just a couple of the pictures from the aforementioned 2 days, the rest will be added to the gallery soon :-

amazing and fascinating read. Well done Saj bhai. rana, saqlain, and mushy and probably the most down to earth pak players.

wow u lucky guy saj lol...is that u wiv saqi?

great stuff!

Very nice job but from picture it seems like you ate all the food just kidding

great read Saj.

Great read... Did you ask him whether he wanted to play for pakistan or england in the future?

wow, that was a brilliant read. You are one lucky guy, Saj bhai!

Wow

u lucky ******* lol. great stuff

nice one

Did you ask saqlain question about doosra? I met in mosque once but never could get word out as I was too nervous

one lucky [beep]

i m happy for ya Saj Bhai! Thank you for taking care of our heroes

Saj I am bursting with jealousy at the moment.

well done saj !!


did u happen to ask if any of the pak players were aware of or ever visited PP ?

a very good read, must have been fun

too many pinches, you must've ended up with a very sore body after all this was over ! j/k. very very well written , feels like i was teh one experiancing it firsthand !

Well done man. It makes me proud to sense the humility in Asian players.

Of course I will take the credit for our Asianness, what did you think?

Seriously, dude, this made me proud.

Nice read. Well done Saj!

Nice read, Thanks!

So lucky Saj bhai, in fact, a little to suspiciously lucky...

Jokes.

It was a great read.

Yes I asked about the doosra and it was an eye opener as to how Saqlain learnt the art - detais to follow when the interview is done.

Yes I asked about whether he wanted to play for Pak or England - once again answer will follow in the full interview.

Yes thats me sat next to Saqlain on the boundary edge on day 2 of the match- he was Sussex's 12th man and I was Sussex's 13th man

Thanks man. It will be great reading the pioneer's advice .I will need to look out for him in the mosque again to get the first hand instructions.

You need to shape up

I write a huge writeup and thats all you have to say on it I would have thought that someone with the nick FAQ would have at least one valid question to ask me about my article?

They are certainly aware of PP now, as I slipped it into a few conversations as well as providing the URL to them

Oh man that was an awesome read! Well done Saj and lucky you!

lovely writeup. The players do sound very nice people.

funny comment but then it could be older person taking advantage of the younger one.

excellent stuff saj bhai

Just to add a couple more details about Saqlain. He is currently in a contract with Sussex that finishes at the end of next season, not this season as some reports have stated.

Bob Woolmer kept in touch with Saqlain during his inury problems, regularly enquiring about how the injury was progressing.

I took my 9 year old nephew to watch Warwickshire v Sussex at Edgbaston a few months ago.

Rana saw him standing there (one of only a few Asian faces, wearing a Pak shirt), came over to him, asked him whether he was a bowler or a batsman, gave him a few tips, and then actually ran 50 yards to the pavillion to fetch a pen for an autograph. He signed my nephew's Pak shirt, and generally made a real fuss of him.

Cheers Rana. You may not be a great Test player, but you are a great human being.

Excellent stuff Saj!

thats a great write up Saj...great info..look forward to the interview and hope pakpassion continues to get promoted like this..all we need now is a tv show!!...lol..maybe you should offer them all free pakpassion tshirts next time.(yes cheap publicity never hurts..lol)..
looks like the Mrs' parathay are doing the trick!!..lol..

Saj Bhai when u r spending "3 days" with these lads ?

wow Saj bhai wat an amazing opportunity you had.....the way you wrote your experience was great cuz i felt like i was there with you......i was getting nervous when u were..lol...

Nice to see Saqlain playing a 4 day match today. This must be the first 4 day match he has played in a long time.

He's looking in good shape too and took a very smart caught and bowled the other night against Gloucs.

add to that he have taken 3 wickets today on first day's wicket including prize wicket of SANGAKARA

Saqlain 14.5 2 46 3

So Saj the question on everyones mind.......who is balding faster? You or Rana?

I was watching Saqlain the other night against Gloucester in the Pro40 League. It seems he's developed a new delivery, a sort of overspinner delivery which is delivered from the front of the hand.

The commentators were saying that it resembled one of Warne's deliveries.

I was having a bad hair day

This may have been the last time you got to see all 3 players playing together.

Sussex are confident of keeping veteran leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed despite interest in him from Warwickshire. ...

Sussex must release Musthaq or Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, with only one overseas player allowed from next year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cri...sex/6936421.stm

Saj did you ask if he would love to play for pakistan again or is he gonna be an england player??

I did indeed. All will be revealed once the interview has been completed with Saqlain.

Excellent stuff SB! Amazing how friendly these players are.

I bet you must be hurting after pinching yourself so much oh and did you have a chance to talk to Saeed bhai?

PlanetP, I spoke to Saeed but only briefly. We exchanged pleasantries etc. I didnt really want to intrude too much, as obviously Saqi, Mushy and Saeed go back a long way and they no doubt had lots of things to talk about, so I left them to it.

As I wrote before though, Saeed has a presence about him. I was just pleased to be in the company of Saeed and shaking the hands that hit 194 in an ODI.