LONDON: Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz is set to launch his new autobiography at Lord’s today (September 25) covering inside stories of Pakistan cricket, dressing-room politics, betting and match-fixing controversies.
Sarfraz Nawaz is regarded as one of the world’s top fast bowlers and is widely credited with pioneering reverse swing. He played a key role in Pakistan’s fast-bowling history during his international career. The former fast bowler is currently in London and has been facing health problems. He says his autobiography gives details of the controversies and events he witnessed during his long career in cricket.
Speaking to BBC Urdu in London, Sarfraz Nawaz said his 100-page book would discuss how players allegedly tried to undermine each other, efforts to remove captains and how betting became part of Pakistani cricket over the years. He said the book also refers to the report prepared under Justice Fakir Muhammad Yousaf, the Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum Commission, allegations involving former captains and statements by various people.
Corruption in Cricket
Sarfraz Nawaz, who has spoken about alleged corruption in cricket for decades, claimed that he received threats over his statements. He said he had registered FIRs in 2010 and 2017 and had also written letters to the prime minister, president, chief justice and army chief seeking action over alleged corruption in cricket.
He also recalled meetings with the UK’s National Crime Agency during his stays in London and spoke about alleged betting in Sharjah. He referred to an ICC anti-corruption inquiry conducted in 2001 under the leadership of Sir Paul Condon. Sarfraz Nawaz also referred to the 2010 spot-fixing case involving former Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who were convicted and sentenced to prison in 2011.
Friendship with Imran Khan
He said that Imran Khan played his first match for Pakistan in 1971, but he then became busy with his studies in Britain. Recalling Imran Khan’s return to cricket, Sarfraz Nawaz said that when Imran returned in 1974 as a top-class all-rounder, the two played together until 1984, forming a bowling partnership that took Pakistan’s fast bowling to new heights.
He also mentioned other fast bowlers of that era, saying, “Asif Masood, Salim Altaf and Sikandar Bakht were also there, but Imran and I bowled the most.” Imran Khan was an intelligent cricketer. He said Khan had great confidence in him and described their friendship as very close.
Cricket Career
Sarfraz Nawaz played 55 Test matches for Pakistan between 1969 and 1984, taking 177 wickets. He also took 63 wickets in 45 One-Day Internationals. He recalled playing street cricket in Lahore’s Mozang area before entering organised cricket. He later joined Government College Lahore on the basis of cricket. Sarfraz Nawaz is widely associated with the development of reverse swing and is regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading fast bowlers of his era.
Entry into politics
Sarfraz Nawaz also entered politics after retiring from cricket. He said he decided to enter politics after playing his final Test in 1984, in which he took seven wickets and scored 90 runs. He said he later announced his retirement in Lahore’s Anarkali area and expressed his intention to contest elections and enter politics. It is worth mentioning here that Sarfarz Nawaz has been associated with different political parties at various times, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
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