Top of the Charts available at special World Book Day discount

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, as part of the World Book and Copyright Day 2014 celebrations, has offered its books at highly discounted prices and the offer will remain valid until May 23, 2014. The offer, however, is valid in Pakistan only.  

Top of the Charts, having the India’s Little Master Sachin Tendukar on its title, is now available at Rs 100 only while its cover price is Rs 500. 

Authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, the book contains profile and photographs of the top 25 performers of the Cricket World Cup 2003 which was considered to be the greatest-ever sporting show to have been staged in the continent of Africa.

In focus: Top of The Charts

Pakistan News & Features Services

The students of the game of cricket have now once again become proactive in turning their attention to the World Cup as they eagerly await the 11th edition of the premier global event scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand in February-March 2015. 

Sachin Tendulkar, who had played first of his six World Cups when the tournament was staged previously in Australia and New Zealand in 1992, has now retired but his fan following has not diminished. Top of the Charts, having the Indian little master on its cover, is one book his fans cannot afford to miss, if they haven’t got hold of it yet. 

Authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, the book contains profile and photographs of the top 25 performers of the Cricket World Cup 2003 in which Tendulkar was adjudged Player of the Tounament although the event was clinched by the then all-conquering Australians.

Top of the Charts stars at Karachi Literature Festival

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing’s stall, showcasing fabulous sports, turned out to be one of the major attractions of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF 2014) organized at Karachi’s Beach Luxury Hotel from February 7 to 9. 

Top of the Charts, having the recently retired Sachin Tendukar on its cover, caught the imagination of numerous cricket fans at the KLF 2014. 

Authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, the book contains profile and photographs of the top 25 performers of the Cricket World Cup 2003 which was considered to be the greatest-ever sporting show to have been staged in the continent of Africa.

Yuvraj Singh’s The Test of My Life high on ratings

Pakistan News & Features Services

The enterprising Indian all-rounder, Yuvraj Singh, happens to be the role model of millions of cricket enthusiasts all over the world. His fan base has continued increasing phenomenally eversince he broke into international cricket with a bang in 2000.

Having played the pivotal role in India’s triumph in the Cricket World Cup 2011, in which he was declared ‘Player of the Tournament’ after a string of match-winning performances, he faced the greatest challenge of his life yet when diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his left lung and underwent chemotherapy treatment in the US. 

Quite remarkably he overcame the deadly disease and returned to the international arena more swiftly than generally anticipated. 

Not surprisingly though his 200-page autobiography, ‘The Test of My Life’ which was launched in a rather emotional gathering in New Delhi earlier this year in the presence of his illustrious teammates like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh, has remained high on the ratings and the reviewers have thoroughly praised it. The book chronicles his battle and victory against cancer.

“The Test of My Life is a story in my own words. It is about my toughest days and how I managed to come out of it. It is about hope, determination and courage to face challenges despite all odds. And believe me we all have the strength to do it. So keep it up and keep your dreams alive and never give up. God Bless,” Yuvraj Singh remarked in his message. 

The book has been into three parts, Before Cancer, During Cancer and After Cancer, and there’s more than enough substance for the cricket followers, his fans in particular, to keep their interest alive until the very end.

In the first part, he has written about his childhood, disclosing how he was forced to become a cricketer and talked about the rigorous training sessions his father, also a Test cricketer conducted. 

In the second part, Yuvraj Singh has shared about how he tried acupuncture for cancer treatment, believing a friend of his; about how he ignored the symptoms in the initial stages; about his travel to the UK and US for treatment; about his chemo sessions and about the people who supported him during all this. 

In the third part, he has written about his struggle and determination to gain form; about his return to the national team; about the love showered upon him on his return; and about the side-effects of chemo. 

In the end he has talked about his NGO, YOUWECAN, an organisation which provides free cancer diagnosis in rural India.

Sachin - A Tribute To The Legend launched in Mumbai

Jumbo Editorial Team

Sachin Tendulkar, one the greatest-ever cricketers and a former Indian captain, gave a perfect present to his admirers and well-wishers on the eve of his 39th birthday. It was in the shape of his book ‘Sachin - A Tribute To The Legend’ launched in his hometown Mumbai on April 23.  

The book, which is a fine collection of all the published reports of all the matches in which Tendulkar scored his 100 international tons, has been published by The Hindu Group of Publications. It also contains quite a few rare pictures of the master batsman with interesting statistical aspects.

The book was reportedly conceptualised after Tendulkar scored his 100th international century in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Mirpur on March 16.

There was a yawning gap of over a year, however, between his 99th and 100th century but he finally accomplished the feat which is unlikely to be surpassed.  

Although he had been scoring substantially even in this period the most famous of all centuries had somehow kept eluding him.

"Reading various articles and opinions in newspapers has played an important role in my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this book together in a matter of few weeks," he acknowledged.

"It's a mammoth effort and thank you very much," the ever-smiling Tendulkar remarked in the launch function while expressing his gratitude to the publishers for releasing the book on the eve of his 39th birthday.  

"It gives me immense pleasure to launch this book. All the efforts taken by The Hindu mean a lot to me. Over the years I have made lot of friends and they are dear ones,” he observed.

"Our friendship has grown in a similar manner as The Hindu has grown. I cherish each and every moment I have shared with them," Tendulkar, flanked by Mumbai India coach Robin Singh and captain Harbhajan Singh, acknowledged.

"We thought this would be a fine gesture to have this book released by you on your birthday, April 24. We feel that this book will be a fitting tribute to your unparalleled contribution to the game, making India and the international cricket community proud," Arun Anant, the CEO of The Hindu group, explained the concept behind publishing the book.  

Chappell’s latest book also targets Tendulkar

Jumbo Editorial Team

If the bouncer from Shoaib Akhtar was not enough, Greg Chappell has come up with a nasty seaming delivery to target Sachin Tendulkar, considered the greatest batsman in the cricket history.

The Pakistan speedster in his recently launched autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ had claimed that Tendulkar was scared of facing him while the prolific Australian batsman, who also coached India, in his new book "Fierce Focus", has observed that the Grand Master has occasionally been mentally fragile.

"At one point early in my time with the Indian team he came and talked to me for about two hours," Chappell observed in the book.

"He was frustrated with his form and racked with self-doubt. Since he'd come back in Malaysia (in a one-day tournament in 2006), Sachin's mental state had been surprisingly fragile and he came to me for help," Chappell wrote, apparently referring to a period when Tendulkar was struggling for form, besides also having surgery for tennis elbow.

Chappell, who was sacked a few months back as Australia's national selector apparently after a fall out with senior cricketers, suggested that Tendulkar could have been affected by the weight of expectations.

"When the team travelled, he would snap on his headphones, not look sideways, and shut it all out. Not even Don Bradman carried expectations like this, and Sachin had been bearing it since 1989," Chappell said in the book.

"He just couldn't get any rest. Once we were talking ... and I said, 'You must have so many friends, it must be hard finding time to keep in touch with all of them'. He looked me in the eye and said, 'Greg, you would have more friends in India than I've got'," Chappell said.

Chappell’s tenure as coach of the Indian team was replete with controversies and he was associated in the infamous war of words with Sourav Ganguly who was removed as captain rather unceremoniously.

Shoaib Akthar’s book launch in Mumbai, Bangalore called off

Jumbo Editorial Team

The launch ceremonies of former Test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s autobiography titled Controversially Yours, released in New Delhi on September 23, scheduled to be held in the cities of Mumbai and Bangalore will not be taking place.

The Indian media broke the news that close on the heels of Shoiab Akhtar's book launch function being cancelled in Mumbai, another function which was to be attended by the Pakistani speedster in Bangalore for promotion of his controversial autobiography has also been called off.

The launch of the book in Bangalore was be hosted by Landmark and HarperCollins Publishers India in the evening but has now been called off, a communication from the organisers said without assigning any reason. The media reports suggested that the event was cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances.

Two of Shoaib Akhtar's promotional events in Mumbai had been cancelled though no official reason was given. Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar was to release Controversially Yours at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) premises on September 25.

According to speculation, the cancellation of the event could be due to less-than-flattering remarks in his autobiography about iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar and another senior player Rahul Dravid. Mumbai and Bangalore are the hometowns of Tendulkar and Dravid respectively.

Shoaib Akhtar has drawn flak for his comments from several quarters, including former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram, under whom he made his debut and senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla who desired an apology from the speedster.

Wasim Akram lashes out at Shoaib Akthar’s controversial autobiography

Jumbo Editorial Team

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, one of the living legends of cricket, has ridiculed Shoaib Akhtar and his recently launched autobiography titled Controversially Yours by stating that the pacer was a ‘problem’ when he was active as a player and remains just that even in retirement.

Wasim, who played much more cricket than Shoaib and achieved far greater success in every format of the game, loudly and clearly contended the viewpoint of his ex-colleague, regarding Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

“I remember one of Sachin’s knocks in the Sialkot Test. It was the fourth Test and the wicket had lot of grass. I was 22 and Waqar was 19 and we were very fast,” Wasim recalled in an interview in which he also rejected some of the other allegations made in Shoaib’s autobiography.

“Waqar hit him on his chin and he came back after taking treatment and scored a 50. If a 16-year-old can’t be scared, I don’t think any batsman can be scared. It hardly matters what Shoaib says,” Wasim believed.

Wasim, who led Pakistan in the World Cup in 1996 and 1999, didn’t mice words in stating that Shoaib, a controversial figure all through his playing career, was just trying to sell his book with tall claims while rejecting allegations that he tried to destroy the fast bowler’s career.

“Whatever the Pakistan Cricket Board said I was with them. He was a problem when he was in the team and he is a problem when he is out of the team,” Wasim said about Shoaib, who played quite a few matches under him.

Shoaib, in his autobiography, had alleged that Wasim Akram did not encourage new fast bowlers and tried to destroy his international career.

Shoaib Akthar ridicules Sachin Tendulkar in autobiography

Jumbo Editorial Team

The recently launched autobiography of Pakistan’s retired fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, appropriately titled Controversially Yours, has touched upon subjects that are certain to make headline news. The cricket lovers have another topic to debate now.

Shoaib, who spearheaded Pakistan’s pace attack for quite sometime, has attempted to ridicule two of the greatest batsmen of his era, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, whose talents and skills with the bat didn’t impress the speedster.

“I think players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid weren’t exactly match winners to start with, nor did they know the art of finishing the game,” Shoaib wrote.

“Vivian Richards, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara and the likes of them are great batsmen who dominated with the bat and were truly match winners. Initially when I bowled to Sachin I found these qualities missing. He might have had more runs and records, he lacked the ability to finish the game,” the outspoken speedster reckoned.

“We would have faced a humbling defeat in the series but for the fact that we reined in Sachin Tendulkar. What went in our favour was that he was suffering from tennis elbow. This severely handicapped the great batsman. We managed to psychologically browbeat him,” Shoaib, having cleaned the Indian Grand Master on a few occasions, observed.

“We bounced the ball at him and were able to unnerve him. I returned to the dressing room that first day with the knowledge that Sachin was not comfortable facing fast and rising ball. He was distinctly uncomfortable against me. That was enough to build on,” he stated.

“I bowled him a particularly fast ball which he, to my amazement didn’t even touch. He walked away! That was the first time I saw him walk from me that too on the slow track of Faisalabad. It got my hunting instincts up in the next match. I hit him on the head and he couldn’t score after that,” Shoaib narrated.

Shoaib Akthar’s Controversially Yours launched in New Delhi

Jumbo Editorial Team

Former Test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s autobiography titled Controversially Yours, sparking controversy right away, was released in New Delhi, India, on September 23.

The book was launched at a hotel in the Indian capital and the ceremony was also attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik.

The Pakistan speedster has confessed to having tampered with the ball and also questioned the class and temperament of India's batting icons, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

“Almost all Pakistani fast bowlers have tampered with the ball. I may be the first one to openly admit to it but everybody is doing it. To be honest, every team in the world tampers with the ball. We probably started it but no team is innocent and virtually every fast bowler does it. That is the only way to survive because the wickets are so slow. I have tampered with the ball on many occasions,” he admitted.

Shoaib offered a solution to the problem of ball tampering by writing that the only way to stop this is for the ICC to ensure that at least some pitches are prepared in favour of the bowlers.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has distanced itself from Shoaib’s remarks, saying he was no longer associated with the board and was free to do whatever he wants.

Shoaib, who was a genuine match-winner, remained at the centre of many controversies in his stormy career which finally came to an end with the Cricket World Cup 2011 in which Pakistan reached the semifinals.

Shoaib engineered quite a few victories for Pakistan in every format of the game but many people believed that he could have given more to country if he disciplined himself and refrained from uncalled for controversies.