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Whilst covering the 2nd Test of Pakistan's tour to England at Old Trafford, Saj from PakPassion.net noticed a very familiar face - that of a former Pakistan captain and current Chief Selector...
By Saj Sadiq (26th July, 2016)
Whilst sat in the media centre at Old Trafford on the last day of the Test, I looked at the television screen to my left and noticed a familiar face. On closer inspection it was the legend that is Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Inzi was closely scrutinising the Pakistan top order batting and as always with Inzi it was difficult to work out what he was thinking of the Pakistani cricketer's efforts.
Anyway, I thought why not dare to go over there to Inzamam and listen to what he has to say about the Pakistani batting unit efforts. Then part of me thought, maybe this isn't the right time, Inzi doesn't look like he's in the best of moods and when Inzi's angry, anything is possible, as some Indian fans will vouch for.
I deliberated for around 30 minutes and then thought why not, let's try talking to him. He was sitting in one of the VIP areas, close to where Andrew Strauss, ECB selectors and senior Lancashire and ECB officials were seated. Nobody without the relevant approval would have been allowed up there but with the help of a contact I managed to walk round to that area and into the VIP seating.
As I walked through the very plush surroundings and dining area, I noticed Inzi about twenty yards in front of me with a younger gentleman. So I thought to myself that it is too late to turn back now; I took a deep breath and strode over to Inzamam. I said my salam to him and his associate and he gave me a welcoming smile. A good start I thought. He asked me to take a seat next to him......things looking good I murmured to myself.
I carefully sat next to the Chief Selector and started to watch Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali batting against Anderson and co. It wasn't a pretty sight as they played and missed regularly. Inzi though was emotionless and passively sat watching the action.
After a few minutes of silence whilst Inzi studied the Pakistani batsmen, he turned to me and asked which media outlet I worked for. I responded with PakPassion. He nodded his head whilst looking at my media pass and responded with "oh yes I have heard of them and I recognise you from when I played for Lashings." All going very well so far I thought, but will Inzi agree to an interview.
Another few minutes of silence before Inzi turned to me and said, "this Anderson is such a good bowler, he's a very difficult bowler to face." I agreed and said that Anderson is effective especially in English conditions and where there is some pace and bounce he's a difficult proposition. He agreed and looked at my dictaphone and the questions I had prepared for him.
Inzi carefully stroked his beard and carried on studying closely the proceedings at Old Trafford. What was fascinating and a real eye-opener was that every time he predicted what the bowler would do next, he was right. He would say, he'll bowl a bouncer next, and it would be a bouncer. If he said he will bowl an outswinger now, the next ball would be an outswinger. It was literally amazing to be sat next to a cricketing legend who was predicting and able to read what the bowler would do. Here was a cricketing great who could read the game so well and was one step ahead of the bowlers.
After he had noticed the sheet of paper in my hand and the dictaphone, I thought I have to ask about the interview in case he thinks I am slyly recording conversation without his prior knowledge. So, came the moment of truth as I asked Inzamam if he would be prepared to do an interview with me. His response was a non-committal "here today?" I said yes, if you have time and if it's OK. His further response was a look at his watch.
Another period of silence followed, except when Inzi would predict what the next ball would be. Then suddenly Inzi said "ok let's do the interview, no problem." I couldn't get my dictaphone out quick enough and within seconds started the first question. During the interview Pakistan lost Azhar Ali, to which Inzi let out a pained sigh. The interview was enjoyable and Inzi responded to all the questions in detail and with honesty. He didn't sidestep any questions and I felt he actually enjoyed the fact that he was asked some questions that weren't silly or irrelevant or questions that were loaded or took personal digs at individuals.
When the interview ended I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. We carried on watching the match for a few more minutes before I said my farewells and wished him well in future in his role as Chief Selector. He replied with an appreciative smile and wished me well for the future. Before I left the VIP area I thought of asking him for a picture for the interview, but then I thought things had gone well and don't push your luck any more.
As I returned to the media centre, I reflected on the fact that I had just spent about 30 minutes watching an international match in the company of one of the world's greatest ever batsmen and a cricketing legend. Things you can only dream of.
Thank you Legend!
Inzi was closely scrutinising the Pakistan top order batting and as always with Inzi it was difficult to work out what he was thinking of the Pakistani cricketer's efforts.
Anyway, I thought why not dare to go over there to Inzamam and listen to what he has to say about the Pakistani batting unit efforts. Then part of me thought, maybe this isn't the right time, Inzi doesn't look like he's in the best of moods and when Inzi's angry, anything is possible, as some Indian fans will vouch for.
I deliberated for around 30 minutes and then thought why not, let's try talking to him. He was sitting in one of the VIP areas, close to where Andrew Strauss, ECB selectors and senior Lancashire and ECB officials were seated. Nobody without the relevant approval would have been allowed up there but with the help of a contact I managed to walk round to that area and into the VIP seating.
As I walked through the very plush surroundings and dining area, I noticed Inzi about twenty yards in front of me with a younger gentleman. So I thought to myself that it is too late to turn back now; I took a deep breath and strode over to Inzamam. I said my salam to him and his associate and he gave me a welcoming smile. A good start I thought. He asked me to take a seat next to him......things looking good I murmured to myself.
I carefully sat next to the Chief Selector and started to watch Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali batting against Anderson and co. It wasn't a pretty sight as they played and missed regularly. Inzi though was emotionless and passively sat watching the action.
After a few minutes of silence whilst Inzi studied the Pakistani batsmen, he turned to me and asked which media outlet I worked for. I responded with PakPassion. He nodded his head whilst looking at my media pass and responded with "oh yes I have heard of them and I recognise you from when I played for Lashings." All going very well so far I thought, but will Inzi agree to an interview.
Another few minutes of silence before Inzi turned to me and said, "this Anderson is such a good bowler, he's a very difficult bowler to face." I agreed and said that Anderson is effective especially in English conditions and where there is some pace and bounce he's a difficult proposition. He agreed and looked at my dictaphone and the questions I had prepared for him.
Inzi carefully stroked his beard and carried on studying closely the proceedings at Old Trafford. What was fascinating and a real eye-opener was that every time he predicted what the bowler would do next, he was right. He would say, he'll bowl a bouncer next, and it would be a bouncer. If he said he will bowl an outswinger now, the next ball would be an outswinger. It was literally amazing to be sat next to a cricketing legend who was predicting and able to read what the bowler would do. Here was a cricketing great who could read the game so well and was one step ahead of the bowlers.
After he had noticed the sheet of paper in my hand and the dictaphone, I thought I have to ask about the interview in case he thinks I am slyly recording conversation without his prior knowledge. So, came the moment of truth as I asked Inzamam if he would be prepared to do an interview with me. His response was a non-committal "here today?" I said yes, if you have time and if it's OK. His further response was a look at his watch.
Another period of silence followed, except when Inzi would predict what the next ball would be. Then suddenly Inzi said "ok let's do the interview, no problem." I couldn't get my dictaphone out quick enough and within seconds started the first question. During the interview Pakistan lost Azhar Ali, to which Inzi let out a pained sigh. The interview was enjoyable and Inzi responded to all the questions in detail and with honesty. He didn't sidestep any questions and I felt he actually enjoyed the fact that he was asked some questions that weren't silly or irrelevant or questions that were loaded or took personal digs at individuals.
When the interview ended I shook his hand and thanked him for his time. We carried on watching the match for a few more minutes before I said my farewells and wished him well in future in his role as Chief Selector. He replied with an appreciative smile and wished me well for the future. Before I left the VIP area I thought of asking him for a picture for the interview, but then I thought things had gone well and don't push your luck any more.
As I returned to the media centre, I reflected on the fact that I had just spent about 30 minutes watching an international match in the company of one of the world's greatest ever batsmen and a cricketing legend. Things you can only dream of.
Thank you Legend!