Sunday, January 16, 2011

Book Review: Top of the Charts

By Anwar Jabeen Qureshi

The eight edition of the ICC World Cup 2003 was indeed special for the fact that it was being staged in the continent of Africa for the first time with South Africa hosting the majority of the matches while Zimbabwe and Kenya were the co-hosts.

It’s always quite an adventure to be in Africa and the added attraction of the topmost cricket tournament taking place there it was the favorite destination to many, presenting an opportunity not be missed.

Syed Khalid Mahmood’s Top of the Charts, featuring Man of the Tournament Sachin Tendulkar on the cover with the coveted award, doesn’t throw light on the oft spoken subject of wildlife in Africa but there’s plenty to read about the event itself.

Obviously it’s a cricket book after all and if you missed the World Cup in 2003 due to any reason this is one publication you must read and preserve. You need to keep a copy of the Top of the Charts in any case because you will feel like revisiting those picturesque grounds that was lit on fire by the explosive cricketers from different parts of the globe.

It wasn’t a particularly pleasing tournament from Pakistan’s point of view as they were knocked out in the first round. After all sports are sports so is cricket the author has worked wonders to keep up the spirit and interest alive. So it’s not surprising that there’s just one Pakistani, Wasim Akram, in the list of 25 top performers profiled in the book.

Australia and India dominated the event, having played the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. There are chapters on four cricketers from each of these two countries whose supporters had plenty to cheer about during the course of the tournament.

The author has profiled all those 25 top performers in the usual crisp style of his. The action photographs, particularly those in colour, are quite lively. It’s a kind of book that must be a part of your collection for many reasons.

***For further details about Top of the Charts, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024

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