Iqbal Jamil
KARACHI: Renowned cricket journalist and former first-class cricketer Qamar Ahmed shared a heartfelt reflection on his career during an engaging conversation with Dr. Saad Shafqat at an event organized by the Karachi Gymkhana Library and Literary Committee. The discussion centered on Ahmed’s autobiography, Far More Than a Game, and was marked by moments of deep sentiment and candid storytelling.
Reflecting on his life, Ahmed stated, “With the blessings of Almighty God, life has given me everything. My only regret is that I could not play Test cricket.” He attributed this unfulfilled dream to regional bias, recalling that despite consistent performances, he was overlooked for national selection due to his roots in Hyderabad, Sindh – a time when selection often favored players from other provinces.
He named Abdul Hafeez Kardar and Mushtaq Mohammad as the greatest captains in Pakistan’s cricketing history, noting their leadership and impact on the game.
Ahmed also highlighted the historical significance of the Karachi Gymkhana cricket ground, mentioning that it hosted the legendary “Three Ws” of West Indies cricket – Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, and Sir Everton Weekes – before the partition.
Among the many anecdotes he shared was a memorable incident in New Zealand, where he convinced Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin to bring his team for dinner at the invitation of a local host. When Azharuddin insisted on halal meat, Ahmed personally slaughtered a chicken to accommodate the request – an act that later drew inquiries from New Zealand authorities for violating local butchery laws.
When asked to name the top three Pakistani batsmen, Ahmed selected Hanif Mohammad, for his unmatched concentration and discipline; Zaheer Abbas, for his elegant style; and Javed Miandad, for his dependability at the crease.
He also recounted a humorous episode where, playing for the Indian journalists’ team in a friendly match, he took all ten wickets – ironically, after being excluded from the Pakistani journalists’ team on the grounds that he was based in London.
Qamar Ahmed, who was born in Bihar in 1937, holds the distinction of covering 453 Test matches – a record yet to be matched by any other journalist. His dual legacy as both a cricket writer and first-class player stands as a remarkable contribution to the sport.
