Book Launch: Cricket Fever

Jumbo Editorial Team

Cricket Fever was launched on July 17, 2009 at the Banquet Hall of Karachi Gymkhana. Pir Syed Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, Federal Minister for Sports, was the chief guest in the ceremony presided over by Dr Mirza Abrar Baig, Senior Executive Vice President & Group Head, National Bank of Pakistan.

The other speakers of the evening were Ehsan Qureshi, a senior journalist and author, Prof Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui, Chairman Karachi City Cricket Association Zone II, Azeem Sarwar, an eminent broadcaster and producer, Younis Rizwani, President Karachi Gymkhana, Aziz Memon, Chairman Kings Group and Past District Governor Rotary International, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary Culture & Youth Affairs to Government of Sindh and Shoaib Mohammad, a former Test cricketer and Head of the PIA Sports Division. The ceremony was conducted by Sardar Khan.

More than 100 guests that included broadcasters, sportscasters, journalists, commentators, authors, anchorpersons, government officials, business leaders, sports administrators and educationists were in attendance in the function that lasted nearly 90 minutes

Sharing his views on the Indo-Pak cricket matches of the part, Pir Aftab Jilani said he has always been thrilled by watching these games. A former cricketer himself, he lauded the contribution of sports writers and journalists in preserving the history.

“Sports writers have made the country proud by producing informative and historic books which reminds us of our glorious past in sporting arena. Cricket Fever authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood is a welcome addition to the quality sports brought out from the country,” the Federal Minister said.

Dr Mirza Abrar Baig called for holding the Indo-Pak Test series on similar lines as the century-old Ashes series between Australia and England.

“There should be a bilateral series after two years. I am sure there would be even greater buzz around the world if Pakistan and India start playing each other regularly for a trophy,” he felt.

“The book in your hands ‘Cricket Fever’ has recaptured the excitement and glories of all the series played between them during the last 57 years. All the16 bilateral tours have been comprehensively covered and it’s quite an accomplishment on part of the author to have penned as many as 10 books,” Dr Abrar Baig complimented.

“I am pleased that Karachi Gymkhana today is the venue of the launch of a historic book on Indo-Pak cricket. We have a history of promoting sports. Our club has been engaged in sports promotion for over a century now,” Younis Rizwani observed.

“Syed Khalid Mahmood’s Cricket Fever is a nice effort. He has thrown light on every series between the two countries during the last 57 years. He has written a chapter on every bilateral tour and they are 16 in all. I congratulate him on writing the book. I am really delighted to note that this actually is his 10th book,” the Karachi Gymkhana President noted.

The other speakers also threw light on the fascinating and romantic aspects of the matches between Pakistan and India, sharing their personal experiences and recalling the memorable moments.

***For further details about Cricket Fever, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024