Irfan - All-Round View

In today's society, the obsession with physical appearance has reached alarming levels. It's not uncommon for individuals who are perceived as attractive to face a myriad of challenges solely based on their looks. From being stared constantly to experiencing unwanted attention and even stalking, the impacts of our fixation on appearance are far-reaching and detrimental. Imagine being so attractive that you rarely get approached by intelligent and normal people. It may sound like a compliment at first, but in reality, it can be isolating and frustrating. When someone's appearance becomes the focal point , their other qualities and characteristics are often overlooked or dismissed. For many individuals, being constantly stared at by random strangers is a daily occurrence. Whether they're walking down the street, sitting in a cafe, or waiting for public transportation, the feeling of being under constant scrutiny can be exhausting and unnerving. Additionally, there's t

  Excerpt from: IMRAN - All Round View (1988) On the second day of the second Test against India at Karachi in December 1982, I got out of bed and felt a pain in my left shin bone. We had bowled the previous day and I had not experienced any discomfort, and I could not recall any incident on the field that might have caused it. I decided that I must have knocked my leg somehow, and when I got to the ground and started warming up, the pain gradually disappeared, and I forgot about it. Little did I know that it would transform my career, my life and the shape of Pakistan cricket for the next two years. The following day, as I warmed up, the pain reappeared, and I began to suspect that it might not be an ordinary bruise. We had dismissed India cheaply on the first day, and the accumulated a large total thanks to centuries by Mudassar and Zaheer. I felt no discomfort while batting, and I was at the crease for some time. With India batting again almost 300 behind, the pain reappeared wh

  In the modern era, cricket has become ubiquitous on television and social media, inundating fans with an abundance of visual content. This inundation has shifted the focus of fans from appreciating a player's overall achievements to dissecting their playing style. Contrastingly, in the pre-1970s era, cricket enthusiasts relied on radio broadcasts and printed media like newspapers and magazines to glean information about players' performances. Back then, admiration for players stemmed more from their remarkable feats rather than their playing techniques. Although cricket, especially Test matches are captivating, they at times can also be perceived as less thrilling to watch, occasionally bordering on tedium. Steve Waugh once articulated in one of his tour diaries that while cricket is exhilarating when one is on the field, prolonged hours spent watching from the dressing room can induce boredom. As a Pakistani when I read or hear about cricket in Pakistan during the 1950s

The Internet has become a ubiquitous presence in our lives, transforming the way we access information and interact with the world around us. However, its widespread influence has also sparked debates regarding its impact on the circulation of knowledge and the erosion of expertise. In the past, seeking guidance or advice often involved consulting experts in various fields, individuals who had spent years honing their skills and accumulating knowledge. Whether it was a medical concern, a legal issue, or a technical question, people relied on the expertise of professionals to provide accurate and reliable information. However, with the advent of the Internet, this traditional model of expertise has been disrupted. Today, instead of seeking advice from specialists, many individuals turn to search engines like Google or online forums to find answers to their questions. The Internet has democratized access to information, empowering individuals to conduct their own research and find soluti

  Sports play a profound role in adult life, serving as a modern-day arena for the manifestation of ancient heroic archetypes. Within this realm, athletes emerge as imperfect yet awe-inspiring figures, grappling with fear, failure, and vulnerability. Despite these challenges, they showcase the triumph of the human spirit, captivating audiences with their ability to achieve extraordinary feats. Indeed, sports are not just a pastime but a legitimate and integral aspect of our existence, offering a glimpse into the pursuit of perfection and the essence of courage. In the pursuit of perfection, both in sports and in life, imperfections are not merely tolerated but embraced as reminders of our shared humanity. While perfection may remain elusive in most endeavors, the world of sports presents a tantalizing vision of what could be possible. Athletes who achieve true greatness become heroes, not because they are flawless, but because they demonstrate resilience and determination in the face o

  The decline of Pakistani cricket has been a topic of much discussion, with many attributing it to the political interference in the cricket board. While it is true that political connections often influence board appointments, and professionalism is crucial for improvement, I argue that the primary reason for Pakistan's struggle lies in the shifting priorities of its players towards shorter formats, particularly T20s. Throughout Pakistan's cricket history, political interference has been a constant, with changes in political leadership accompanying each new government. However, even during periods of success in the late 70s, 80s, and 90s, this interference persisted. Thus, while a professional board is essential, it might not be the sole panacea for Pakistan's cricketing woes. The real concern lies in the contemporary players' focus on T20 cricket to the detriment of the longer format. In recent years, the majority of Pakistani players have prioritized T20s, with min

  The current landscape of Test cricket is undergoing a critical examination, with disparities in scheduling and financial viability posing significant challenges, especially for nations outside the elite "Big Three" of England, India, and Australia. England's upcoming summer, featuring an intensive schedule of six Tests in eight weeks, sharply contrasts with South Africa's mere four Tests over a 16-month span and Pakistan's limited schedule of only two Tests by year-end. This widening gap, a trend replicated across non-"Big Three" nations, is perceived as a catalyst accelerating the decline of the sport's oldest and most revered format. While the enduring appeal of Test cricket has been proven time and again, the imbalance in the number of Test matches played by different countries over a four-year cycle raises pertinent questions. Some nations engage in close to 50 Tests, while others are confined to the mid-20s, creating a motivational dilemma for