In these times, when professional sports-persons and teams avoid touring Pakistan, it was more than a pleasant surprise to see a group of amateur cricketers from England visiting the country. Led by Peter Oborne, the touring side included journalists, a couple of businessmen and a few young students; all cricket buffs. The Wounded Tiger XI, named after Peter Oborne’s recently published epic book, ‘Wounded Tiger: a history of cricket in Pakistan’ played three matches each in Lahore and Karachi. The visitors were delighted to have Abdul Qadir, the legendary Pakistani leg break and googly bowler, play for them as a guest for the Lahore matches.
The tour started with a match against Mitchell’s farms club in Renalakhurd, outside Lahore. The visitors were fascinated by the attractive setting in midst of orchards and tomato plants used for manufacture of celebrated jams and ketchup. The next game was at the eastern corner of Lahore close to the Wagah border against the Sammay Cricket Club in Lakhodero village. Everyone was captivated by the exquisite ground set among green hills flanked by a graceful mosque and two fine dressing rooms, each with a golden dome. In fact, it was an unscheduled fixture only arranged after the tie against the Aitchison College had been cancelled as the college ground wasn’t fit due to the overnight rain. The historic Bagh-e-Jinnah ground, which staged test matches in 1950s, was the venue for the third match. The widely attended fixture against Lahore Gymkhana was witnessed among others by the British High Commissioner along with his mother as well as Pakistan’s former captain Majid Khan. The visitors were shown the Lahore Gymkhana cricket museum by its founder curator Najum Latif. After the match, the official launch of ‘Wounded Tiger” in Pakistan was held; a number of copies immediately sold out.
The British did a lot of sightseeing in the historic city and were especially enamored by the old walled quarter.
Moving to Karachi, the Wounded Tiger XI were guests of Arif Abbasi who has held so many important offices in Pakistan sports including that of PCB’s CEO. The initial stay was at his magnificent Arabian Sea Country Club just outside Karachi. The day/night fixture at the excellent ground was televised live on a Pakistani sports channel. Later the team shifted to the historic Sind Club and had games at the National Bank stadium and the Karachi Gymkhana. Two of them, Richard Heller and Charles Alexander, the coauthors of ‘Wounded Tiger’ participated in a live TV programme. The tour climaxed with a reception by Jamsheed Marker at his home. Now 91, the legendary radio commentator, also a career diplomat is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having been “ambassador to more countries than any other person.”
