LAHORE, 16 April 2004 — Legend has it that the “Pearl of Punjab” was a cosmopolitan mix throughout the ages. Vestiges of that are still evident in parts in Lahore, a city that literally keeps on ticking around the clock and is a veritable mix of the old and new.
Historical monuments from the Mogul era blend in with dated Victorian architecture. They in turn sit well with the modern development in the city of gardens. Intermixed with the very new are the old hubs of Lahore, giving it a life of its own.
It is the colorful auto ricks plying their trade briskly that make it tangible for the visitors to absorb the changing kaleidoscope that is Lahore. There is always something for everyone to do or see here - from history buffs to bargain hunters. Mall Road is the central artery that controls the beat of the city. It also provides heartbeat links to many of the sites and shopping areas. Modern malls vie for customers with the famous Anarkali market — which begins where Mall Road ends. This market provides for all segments of the community. Here the egalitarian concept rules as people shop for the quaint, the unique, and sometimes even the bizarre. It also houses all types of dress fabrics and is the place one can bargain for nearly anything. The hustle and bustle here is in sharp contrast to the elegant and leafy Mall Road is lined with some Victorian buildings that are either government secretariats or colleges - the most famous one being the Aitchison College. The city still retains some of the legacy of the Raj with these immaculate edifices dominating the landscape. One still thriving is the O’Morrio News agents, who have been practicing their trade for the past 125 years.
Nestled in a small corner of the imposing YMCA building, they are still in business while many of the golden oldies have closed shop. Also in business in this “Queen of Cities” is another legacy of the British — cricket.
It is here that the Pakistan Cricket Board is headquartered. Apart from organizing this ongoing “Dil Jeeto Series” between India and Pakistan with aplomb, the PCB had recently feted the living members of the first Test match squad that toured India in 1952. The ceremony was part of the country’s golden jubilee celebrations and Hanif Mohammed, Imtiaz Ahmed, Fazal Mahmood, Waqar Hasan, Wazir Mohammed, Khan Mohammed, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Israr Ali, Khalid Quereshi, Khursheed Ahmad, Rusi Dinshaw and Khalid Ibadullah were honored. Those members of that team who have passed away are: Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Anwar Hussain, Nazar Mohammad, Maqsood Ahmad, Amir Elahi, Mahmood Hussain and Mir Mohammad Hussain, who was the manager. I met with one of these heroes, who along with the other members was instrumental in putting Pakistan on the world cricketing map. Soft-spoken yet reticent, Imtiaz Ahmad was eloquent on the cricketing field.
Imtiaz, during the 1955-56 series against New Zealand, set Lahore ablaze with the innings of his life. He became the first wicketkeeper to score a Test double hundred as he and Waqar Hasan lifted Pakistan from 111 for six with a mammoth 309-run stand for the seventh wicket. The tale of Pakistan tail does not end there as they set a unique Test mark — the last four wickets totaling the most runs in a Test innings — plundering 450 runs. Imtiaz’s double ton and Waqar’s 189 were embellished by Maqsood’s 33, Zulfiqar’s 21 and Mahmood Hussain’s 32.
He looked back and also looked ahead. “During our days we played for the honor of representing our country.
Nowadays the game is commercialized. The players benefit, but the game loses,” he said.
On the raging bowling coach issue, Imtiaz was of the view that a bowling coach at this level will be of little use. “We have talent in abundance and they should be caught young and molded. A bowling coach at this stage would be of great help. But at this (Test and ODIs) level he can only help in slight adjustments or provide some tips,” he said.
On the present series, he said that the Pakistan bowling is one of the fastest in the game. But it is also erratic. A little accuracy on their part could have gone a long way in them winning the ODIs. He praised the Indian batting lineup and said that any team in the world would find it difficult to get them out twice in a Test, adding that the present team is already at its best in the shorter version of the game.
He was optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. “Talent abounds and once a team is picked they should play together, even during the off season.
Asked to compare the set up of his time and present day, he said, “It was different then and is different now. But I still have friends there. I still regularly get invitations from them. If an occasion arises I’ll surely visit India, and a senior citizen visa should not be a problem.” That such goodwill is being extended on the either side of the border during this series is heartening, he said. “I was nominated to the Cricket Club of India’s Legends Club during this break and they invited me to the induction ceremony, but I could not make it. And I have fond memories of the CCI and the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay,” he said.
He is now truly a legend.
