Jumbo Sports Books to steal limelight in KIBF 2013

Pakistan News & Features Services

The month of December generally brings smiles on the faces of Karachiites as the weather becomes pleasant with the arrival of mild winter and then it also announces the arrival of the annual event Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF). 

The ninth edition of the KIBF, being organized by the Pakistan Publishers & Booksellers Association (PPBA) with the collaboration of the National Book Foundation, is due to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from December 5 to 9 is less than a week away and there are already billboards across the thoroughfares reminding the folks about the dates of the event. 

The sports titles brought out by Jumbo Publishing, also famously known as the Jumbo Sports Books, will be stealing the limelight of the bookworms in the KIBF where thousands, if not more, publications will be on display on hundreds of stalls for five days on a trot. 

The Jumbo Sports Books are considered unique for their contents and high quality of production. The 10 titles on offer during the KIBF will be Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones, Reflections, Crash of the Titans, Asian Glory and Mystery Mohali.

Reliving Cricket World Cup 2011 with Asian Glory, Mohali Mystery

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, the market leaders in bringing out sports books in the region, has enriched the cricket literature by producing a couple of books on the Cricket World Cup 2011 which was held in South Asia for the third time in 24 years. 

By producing Asian Glory and Mohali Mystery, Jumbo Publishing continued their tradition of doing two books on a single edition of the Cricket World Cup. 

They had also published two books on each of the last two World Cups. Spotlight on World Cup 2003 and Top of the Charts covered the different angles of the World Cup 2003 while Mission Caribbean and Fiasco were related to the World Cup 2007.

As in the past, the two books on a single event are different to each other. Asian Glory, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, has chapters on the various aspects of the tournament besides a brief history of the sub-continental teams in the past nine editions of the World Cup. 

Mohali Mystery, written by Ehsan Qureshi, revolves around the semifinal match between Pakistan and India in Mohali which the hosts managed to win after an absorbing contest which generated as much interest after the event as before it. 

The entire book is in four colour to captivate the readers. The attractive pictures as well as the accompanying section of statistics add value to the book.

One thing, other than the subject, also is common in both the books. They offer reading enormous pleasure and the cricket enthusiasts will enjoy the description of what was hailed as the greatest sporting show on earth.

Rewinding Cricket World Cup 2007 with Mission Caribbean, Fiasco

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, having emerged on the scene in 2005, created quite a sensation by bringing out of a couple of worthy books related to the Cricket World Cup 2007 which was staged in the Caribbean for the time. 

Mission Caribbean, written by Syed Khalid Mahmood, was brought out on the eve of the mega event while Ehsan Qureshi authored Fiasco upon his return from the Caribbean where he had witnessed unprecedented chaos, drama and tragedy. Both the books have historical value. 

Mission Caribbean is a more than useful resource material for the students of the game as there are brief profiles and photographs of all the 240 participating cricketers from 16 countries.

Mission Caribbean offers a lot of information regarding the performance of all the participating teams in the past editions of the tournaments. 

Fiasco is an eye-witness account of the tragic death of Pakistan’s coach, Bob Woolmer, following the stunning defeat at the hands of Ireland. 

It tells the story of the author’s implication in the infamous case which was subsequently denied. Fiasco is much more than a travelogue or a simple review of the tournament. 

It reveals a lot of stories which were not reported earlier elsewhere. The scorecards and reports of all the matches make it a complete publication about the event which had proved a disaster on many fronts, much to the dismay of the hosts.

Recapturing Cricket World Cup 2003 with Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing got off to a flying start in 2005 with the publication of their maiden book, Spotlight on World Cup 2003 which contained the highlights of the Cricket World Cup 2003 organized for the first time in the continent of Africa. 

They followed it up with another book, Top of the Charts, which also related to the same event later in the year. It was quite unusual to find two different books on the same subject and by the same author, Syed Khalid Mahmood. 

Both the hardbound titles were well received in the market and Jumbo Publishing had succeeded in making a mark right away. Some reviewers had gone on to compare both the books with the best ones in the business.

The positive press to the first couple of books brought out by Jumbo Publishing provided them the much needed recognition in the starting which subsequently enabled to them make even greater impact in the field in the following years. 

Spotlight on World Cup 2003 contained contributions from other renowned personalities as well, besides the bulk of the narration from the author. Light was thrown on the various aspects of the high-profile event which had taken the African hosts, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe by storm. 

Top of the Charts profiled the top 25 performers of the World Cup 2003. The book contained eye-catching photographs of the elite list of cricketers who made the tournament their own by their spectacular performance.

Jumbo Publishing’s Perfect 10!

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing has carved a niche for itself by bringing out quality sports books year after year to be acclaimed as the market leaders in the region in this particular field. 

They have achieved a record of sorts by having brought out as many as 10 books on the subject of sports during a span of eight years. 

It has been a remarkable journey from Spotlight on World Cup 2003 to Mohali Mystery. In the interim period they have produced Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones, Reflections, Crash of the Titans and Asian Glory.

Brief Profile: Rashid Latif

Pakistan News & Features Services

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan cricket captain, is recognized as one of greatest wicket-keepers produced by the country. Besides being very safe behind the stumps he was also a handy batsman in the middle-order.

He has been a fearless person all along, on and off the field. He is known and also feared for calling a spade a spade. He has not been afraid in sharing his thoughts openly and his candid opinions have quite often shaken those in the corridors of power in the Pakistan cricket. 

He has also not hidden his feelings about the controversial issues, having been in forefront in speaking about match-fixing and other critical matters.

Born in Karachi on October 14, 1968, he made his first-class debut in only his 18th year and he started playing international cricket four years later. He scored a match-winning half century in his maiden Test against England at The Oval in the summer of 1992. 

He played 37 Test matches in which he scored 1,381 runs at an average of 28.77 with 150 being his highest score. He caught 119 batsmen and stumped 11 which took his aggregate of dismissals to 130.

He also appeared in 166 One-day Internationals, scoring 1,709 runs at an average of 17.42 with his strike rate being 76.39. He amassed three half-centuries with 79 being his highest. His total dismissals in the shorter format of the game were 220 comprising of 182 catches and 38 stumpings. 

He had announced his retirement from international cricket in dramatic circumstances during the course of Pakistan's 1994-95 tour of Zimbabwe but he was installed as captain upon his return. He was reappointed as the national captain in 2003 but his tenure didn’t last long. 

Following his retirement from first-class cricket in 2005, Rashid Latif has been engaged in coaching assignments. He has set up his own Rashid Latif Cricket Academy in Karachi, which has produced quite a few successful cricketers. 

***Rashid Latif has contributed foreword to Mohali Mystery

Foreword: Mohali Mystery

By Rashid Latif 

Despite the advent of the shorter format of the game of cricket, the ICC World Cup, held after every four years, remains the most sought-after cricket event and the enthusiasts of the game wait for it anxiously. It’s a dream of every cricket playing nation to win the World Cup.

But at the end of the contest, after all the thrills and excitement, only one team has to be crowned and the others have to wait for another four years. Pakistan annexed the trophy in 1992 but the dream to retain it was shattered in 1996. 

Our boys came closer to retaining the title in 1999, only to fall at the last hurdle, but in 2003 and 2007 events proved to be total debacle. Elements of suspicion and doubt shrouded the way Pakistan had lost the final of the 1999 World Cup. There was severe criticism when the star-studded team crashed out in 2003 while the whole nation was jolted when Inzamam-ul-Haq and his men flopped even more miserably in 2007.

I was a member of the team during the 2003 World Cup held in South Africa. It was really disappointing and disturbing for all of us not to have gone beyond the first round, despite having an experienced and potent outfit.

Shahid Afridi, a part of the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007, was entrusted with the responsibility of leading Pakistan in 2011. He didn’t have a formidable outfit on paper but he had quite a few seasoned campaigners at his disposal.

Pakistan remained a mixed bag in the league matches as they lost to New Zealand but registered victories over defending champions Australia and hosts Sri Lanka to be counted as serious contenders for the title. By having bulldozed the trio of Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, Pakistan had enhanced their reputation and these three victories in particular raised hopes of bringing back the title after 19 years.

Pakistan lost to India in the semifinals after being in dominating position for most part of the match which made the defeat look a bit mysterious. The veteran Misbah-ul-Haq was under fire for slow batting and Afridi was criticized for not taking power play at the right time which ruined their chances of making it to the final. 

The Indians, as expected, reached the final and eventually regained the title after a lapse of 28 years by hammering Sri Lanka in the final. It looked as if the CWC 2011 was tailor-made for them to lift the crown. Like anyone, I was also surprised at Pakistan’s loss in the semifinals despite putting India under pressure for so long. Rumours travelling through grapevine pointed at something fishy behind the defeat.

There was also an element of shock and mystery when the Pakistan team, upon their return, was honoured by federal and provincial governments as if they had brought home the title. Shahid Afridi’s team was accorded red carpet welcome despite losing the semifinal whereas the whole set up of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was changed when the team, under Wasim Akram, lost to Australia in the final in 1999. What a contrast indeed!

Pakistan’s bad luck had started a year earlier when the ICC had stopped them from playing host to their quota of the World Cup matches on security grounds and the tournament was co-hosted by the trio of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

I had raised the issue during the World Cup 2011 which concerned the reduction in the number of participating teams. I have had the feeling that the matches involving the ‘minnows’ provide the opening to foul play and there are greater opportunities of ‘fixing’ them.

*****For obtaining a copy of Mohali Mystery, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024. It is priced Rs 1,000 in Pakistan.

Festival of Sports Books creates buzz at Customs Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services 

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books, held at the Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, created a buzz on November 6 and 7 and there was plenty of excitement at the campus on both days.

The Principal of the Customs Public School, Raisuddin Siddiqui, who is widely known for motivating the students to take part in sports and other co-curricular activities besides academics, visited the stall and appreciated the move of Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, to offer books at generous discounts during the festival. 

The teachers as well as the librarian of the Customs Public School were also proactive and their efforts facilitated the students in having a good look at the titles on display and sale during the festival which was extended by a day. 

The sports titles were offered at very high discounts on both days. Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, were available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, was offered for Rs 100 each. Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, was sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, were also available at Rs 200 each.

Festival of Sports Books extended at Customs Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books being held at the Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, has been extended by a day and it will continue during the school hours on November 7.

The festival generated great interest among the students of the Customs Public School who are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities by the management and the teachers. 

 Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, are offering the books at generous discounts during the festival in which Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, are available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, are being offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, is being sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, are also available at Rs 200 each until the stocks lasted.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at Customs Public School on November 6

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, will be playing host to Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books to be held on November 6.

The Customs Public School has been operating under the patronage of the Pakistan Customs since 1990. One of its features is the library, having been renovated and upgraded, a couple of years ago which is also made available for co-curricular activities. 

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, will be offering the books at generous discounts to the students as well teachers of the Customs Public School during the one-day festival. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, will be available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, will also be offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, will be sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, will also be available at Rs 200 each until the stocks last.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books held at Happy Home High School

Pakistan News & Features Services 

The Happy Home High School, located in the Block 13-D-1 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, hosted Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books on November 2. 

Large number of students, alongwith their parents, visited the stall of Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, which offered the books at generous discounts during the festival. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, was available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, was offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, was up for the grabs at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, was also available at Rs 200 each.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books winds up at Bright Future School

Pakistan News & Features Services

 Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at the Bright Future English School, located in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, came to an end on November 1.

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, started the originally planned two-day festival at the Bright Future School on October 30. 

It also held on October 31 and upon the request of the management of the school it was extended by another day to facilitate their students and parents. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, was available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, were offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, was sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, was available at Rs 200 each.