Good writers make readers think?sometimes think about the topic in a way they had not imagined possible?and provoke a reaction in their readers. They are fearless in their pursuit of the truth and desire to challenge authority. They are the voice of the millions who do not have the opportunity to write and express themselves publicly.
PakPassion.Net: When did you 1st get into journalism? What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps as a journalist? (from Amjid Javed)
Kamran Abbasi: Amjid, I began my career as a journalist when I was working as a junior doctor at St Bartholomew?s Hospital. I?d always wanted to write and I?d followed Pakistan almost obsessively since I was little. It seemed natural to try my hand as a cricket writer. What really inspired me though was the obscene way Pakistan was vilified by the English media after the 1992 tour. I didn?t see any Pakistani writers able to match Pakistan?s critics in terms of eloquence and quality of argument. I wanted to put that right. By 1996 I was on my way writing for a great cricket magazine called Inside Edge. My first piece was a preview of the 1996 Pakistan tour of England. When I look back now it probably scored higher on potential than quality so I?m grateful to Alastair McLellan, who was then the editor, for giving me my break.
Journalism isn?t an easy career to break into. You either have to write well or you have to be so well respected in your field that people will ask you to write for them. The main problem is that everybody thinks that they can write and many many people fancy a career in journalism. It?s a tough career and not especially well rewarded (unless you become very well known). What you need to do is find a niche where you can add value, target the publication that is best suited for your work and might offer you an opportunity, persevere, and be prepared for failure. Many people now obtain qualifications in media and work placements with publications but it?s tough to make it simply because so many people want a career in the media. Probably more than anything you need luck.
PakPassion.Net: I am big fan of yours and rate you as one of the best cricket writers. What do you think are the most important factors that make a good writer and what is your advice for not only young cricket writers but writers in general? (from PlanetPakistan)
Kamran Abbasi: I?m a big fan of yours PlanetPakistan. Many attributes make a good writer. In my view they are the ability to write clearly, succinctly, and engagingly. Good writers make readers think?sometimes think about the topic in a way they had not imagined possible?and provoke a reaction in their readers. They are fearless in their pursuit of the truth and desire to challenge authority. They are the voice of the millions who do not have the opportunity to write and express themselves publicly. They welcome controversy and unpopularity. They will even be prepared to make fools of themselves now and then. Good writers value their independence and champion their values. Above all, they entertain.
The best advice I can give to young writers is to read as widely as you can, because unless you read you won?t be able to write. Once you start writing, keep practicing and keep it simple.
PakPassion.Net: Does it feel surreal to have an entry in Wikipedia and have you ever googled yourself? If so what was the most memorable thing you came across? (from Mercenary)
Kamran Abbasi: Yes I suppose it does Merc. It?s surprising that anybody cares enough to create an entry about you and others spend time getting the facts right. Now that you mention it, it needs updating since I?ve just changed jobs.
We?ve all googled ourselves haven?t we? The most bizarre entry I?ve ever come across was an entry on a right wing American blog. When I was acting editor of the BMJ (British Medical Journal) we published a research paper that showed that health is associated with ?freedom.? ie the higher a society scores on a freedom index the healthier the population. In my editor?s choice I wrote something about how it was all well and good for George Dubya to want to bring freedom to the peoples of the world while his own people were bound by the shackles of the rich: slaves to work, crippled by personal debt, and trapped in loneliness or loveless relationships. Anyway, you can imagine I was slaughtered on the blog and one of the criticisms was how could a Pakistani cricket journo become editor of the BMJ, the standard of British science had hit rock bottom they concluded. The funniest part, though, was that they hunted the web to find a photo of me and post it on the blog. To them the picture confirmed the failure of British science. I suppose they might have had a point since it was a picture of Inzy.
PakPassion.Net: Being a cricket writer will undoubtedly affect the way you are viewed by the Pakistan players - how do you regard your relationship with the Pakistan players? Are there any that you have formed a close friendship with? (from The Chaudrey)
Kamran Abbasi: My view on this is simple, The Chaudrey. It?s best to keep a distance from the players because you?re only ever a moment away from calling for them to be dropped or demanding their retirement. If you get too close I think it becomes hard to remain objective. The Pakistan players though are always very polite when you meet them and I?m not sure they really read what?s written about them, Inzy certainly doesn?t.
I was on great terms with a former Pakistan captain early in my writing career but one day I had to write a very critical piece about him and I did struggle a little with my conscience. He didn?t really speak to me after that. That experience taught me to keep my distance. It?s easier for me to do that since I?m based in England and I?m not financially dependent on cricket. It?s much harder for journalists in Pakistan, many of whom mean well but you can imagine how your career could be ruined if a famous personality takes a dislike to you.
PakPassion.Net: You?ve personally been very successful in your career but why do you think Pakistanis as a nation are perennial underachievers? The Pakistan team seems to be a reflection of the national condition, a super talented group but lacking the professionalism to dominate and become successful. Would you agree with that, what's your diagnosis and prescription? (from Mercenary)
Kamran Abbasi: Merc, can I quote you an extract from a piece I?ve written and is about to be published in Cricinfo magazine? It?s not the whole explanation but a major part of it and it?s another Pakpassion exclusive:
?Pakistan always struck me as a country running without any civil structure and visibly little order. In a bizarre caricature of the American dream, any man (far trickier for women named other than Bhutto of course) could conceivably become anything. A frog could become a prince. But that frog had to be one lucky frog, plucked by the hand of god from Pakistan's teeming millions of spawn.
When I asked people how this amazing country functioned, the answer was simple: It was run by the grace of god. And this was an ex
This parable saddened me because it rang true. It saddened me because I have met wonderfully talented people in Pakistan and throughout South Asia?this failing troubles not just Pakistan?people whose talents deserve a much higher reward. How often have we lamented the wasted talents of Pakistani and Indian cricket?
When such a blight affects all of society, when people find it hard to respect their leaders and their superiors, when merit plays little part in advancing in any career, is it little wonder that we fail to achieve what we dare to dream? Is it little wonder the Pakistan Cricket Board and the running of Pakistan cricket should be any different?
But then again perhaps Pakistan cricket does have the opportunity to be different? It is a national organisation with an international profile and international revenue. It is powerful. People really care about the product that it produces. The head of the organisation has the ear of the president of Pakistan. When you think about it, the Pakistan cricket board has a real opportunity to lead the rest of the country in the direction of professionalism and good corporate governance. The fact that it has failed to do so over the last decade is the real cause for desperation.?
PakPassion.Net: Kamran, who was your idol when you were growing up? (from Easa)
Kamran Abbasi: Easa, my cricketing hero was Imran Khan. He turned Pakistan cricket into a world force and left a legacy, which his successors have done their best to squander. Luckily, they haven?t quite managed it.
PakPassion.Net: My favourite article written by you was the one about Miandad?s last ball six and it?s impact on the Indian psyche. What made you want to write that article and were you surprised at the over the top reaction from Indians? (from Mercenary)
Kamran Abbasi: Thanks for mentioning that piece Merc. It was great fun to research and write, although much of the credit for the analysis goes to my friends Christopher Martyn and Khalid Khan. I was editing a special issue of the BMJ that was meant to turn the BMJ into a South Asian publication for one week and I figured that to be truly South Asian it had to include cricket. I?d always wondered about the effect of Javed?s six. I?d always thought it an amazing feat. The intensity of the moment, the pressure, and he went and hit a six. Incredible. I looked at the data and reckoned there was an effect, which Khalid then proved with the statistical analysis. To be honest, we were surprised that it was statistically significant. It was meant to be a bit of fun and the result didn?t really matter to us although it certainly helped get the paper noticed. I wasn?t surprised that there was a reaction but I was surprised at the heat of it. Most of my colleagues at the BMJ couldn?t believe what was going on although I didn?t mind at all.
PakPassion.Net: I believe you write cricket articles as a hobby. Tell us more about your actual daytime job and your academic background. (from Kashif)
Kamran Abbasi: Yes, Kashif, it is a hobby albeit a time-consuming one. I worked for several years as a hospital doctor and then joined the editorial staff of the BMJ. I?m now editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, which is the oldest medical journal in the UK. As well as that I?m about to become CEO of OnMedica, a website for doctors.
My academic background is that I qualified as a doctor and then gained a postgraduate medical degree called MRCP. I?m also currently an honorary senior lecturer at Imperial College and a part-time visiting lecturer at Westminster University. The world of medical journals is really the world of academia.
PakPassion.Net: Who was your all time favourite Pakistani player and why? And what is your first recollection of watching the Pakistani team in action? (from Kashif)
Kamran Abbasi: See above for my favourite player Kashif. My first recollection of watching Pakistan was I think at Headingley in the 1975 World Cup in a match against Australia. It?s all a bit of a blur but I remember the emotion, the passion, and adulation of the fans for Pakistan?s players. Everything was more intense because we never saw them play unless they were in England. I remember the Pakistan fans baiting Dennis Lillee by saying: ?Lillee teri billee.? It seemed amusing at the time. Not so sure now.
PakPassion.Net: What was your take on Sajid Mahmood receiving verbal abuse from Pakistan fans at Headingley from British born Pakistan fans. I was there and it seemed spiteful rather than a bit of fun. (from cornered paktiger)
Kamran Abbasi: I think you?re right cornered paktiger. I suppose it was made worse by Pakistan not doing as well as they promised to. I think Saj was shaken but he responded well and managed to sound sensible afterwards. He?s a professional and he has to be able to cope with it. I think it?s a real shame when our fans behave like that. Anybody brought up here would play for England if they got the chance wouldn?t they? Nobody brought up here has managed to get a game for Pakistan.
PakPassion.Net: The Pakistan cricket team has been under the leadership of Bob Woolmer and Inzamam for almost two years now. Where do you think the team stands in terms of progression compared to when these two first came together? (from Amjid Javed)
Kamran Abbasi: Amjid, I think Pakistan cricket has come a long way under Bob and Inzy. Remember how miserably we performed in the 2003 World Cup and very soon after nearly lost at home to Bangladesh. It was almost rock bottom. I was sceptical about Inzy but he?s done much better than I imagined. To haul Pakistan back up into the top three in both forms of the game is quite an achievement. I?m not sure he can take Pakistan to the top although, I tell you, he desperately wants to. Bob?s done a great job in my view. He believes in stability and supporting the captain. He?s worked with tremendous patience with Pakistan?s players. If our players were more worldly wise in terms of knowing how to learn, who knows what they might have been able to achieve. We?ve been lucky to have Bob and it says something about him that he?s stuck with the team despite the tragedy of the past weeks. Both of them have copped too much unfair criticism recently. The problem for anybody who leads or coaches Pakistan is that they have to make up for the failures of the system at all levels before the players got their international break. And they have to continue making up for the failures of the cricket board.
One additional point, though, Bob prefers a supportive role but I think he needs to impose himself more and I think he intends to and I hope he can, although the chaos in the PCB might make that difficult for him.
PakPassion.Net: The PCB is constantly being criticized by all, including ex cricketers and journalists. In your view, is this justified and if so, what are the main issues and how do you see them being resolved in the short and long term? (from MIG)
Kamran Abbasi: I?ve taken so long to answer these questions that the whole situation has changed. Great foresight MIG. The PCB is crippled by the same problems that affect the rest of Pakistan. I don?t agree with Imran that a democratic PCB is the answer?I think good leadership is more important at this stage?but I do agree with him that if the PCB chairman is a direct appointment of the President then the PCB is little more than a political football. The PCB is a pretty hopeless organization. Look at the resources at its disposal and the great product it has to nurture and promote. There is too much infighting, an ongoing power struggle, and a distinct lack of professionalism. Having said that there are some very good people at the PCB and these guys keep it afloat whatever scheming is going on around them.
One major problem is that everybody outside the PCB thinks that they can (and should run it). People think that just because they have watched cricket they know how to run the cricket board. The PCB is a business and needs to be run by people who are professional executives, professional managers, and professional administrators.
I hate the way either the board allows the players to run the show or it is hell-bent on crushing them. This constant swinging from one extreme to the other is a disaster for Pakistan cricket. What we require is a board that recognizes that the players are its greatest assets but is also professional in its management of them.
I?m a great believer in the power of leadership. The PCB requires a strong leader, independent of the political scene, somebody with a clear vision and professional integrity. This person must know about cricket but also be able to run a multimillion-revenue organization with an international profile. I?m not sure if the PCB has ever had such a leader or ever will. I?m not sure either about the new man. He?s made strong moves in a rather demonstrative way. It?s not the behaviour of somebody who expects to be around for a long time.
PakPassion.Net: If you were Inzamam and Darrell Hair had changed the ball without notifying you and awarded 5 penalty runs against your team, thereby implying they had cheated, what would YOU have done? What's your take on the Hair affair? (from TaZ)
Kamran Abbasi: My take on the Hair affair, TaZ, is that it was Hair who brought the game into disrepute. First, he publicly convicted Pakistan on meaningless evidence. He then communicated poorly with Inzamam. He rushed to award the match to England. And then stood against the world (particularly the fans) and prevented the match from resuming. He still shows no remorse or understanding of what he did. Why is he bigger than the game? This is supposed to be entertainment.
But I have been appalled at the way the PCB is now blaming Inzamam for what happened. Yes, he became angry and obstinate over tea but take it from me the PCB was anything but an innocent bystander in the protest. It stinks the way Zaheer Abbas and others are now blaming Inzy. This is the moral bankruptcy that holds back Pakistan. Inzamam has displayed more integrity over this whole affair than anybody else. He felt wronged and he protested in the way that he thought right. Dissent is a very important part of human rights. We would not have as much racial and sexual equality as we do if people had not dissented. Without dissent people would not have won their freedom. There would be no need for Pakpassion, for example.
Personally, I would have reacted as soon as Hair changed the ball but I was a notorious hot head on a cricket field and it never took much to get me arguing with an umpire especially one who I had thought didn?t understand or had misinterpreted the laws. I would have disputed Hair?s decision and escalated the matter there and then. If, like Inzy, I hadn?t realized what had happened I think I would have protested at the end of the day?s play to the match referee and considered not resuming on the final day if the matter was unresolved.
PakPassion.Net: In spite of consistency being a term unknown to many Pakistani cricketers and the fickle nature of the selection panel, which young cricketers do you think are most likely to succeed and play an integral part in the future of Pakistan cricket (this can include uncapped players too)? (from Daoud)
Kamran Abbasi: Daoud, by all accounts Shahid Yousuf is the next big star of Pakistan cricket, let?s hope that happens. Mohammad Asif I think will return sooner rather than later and become a truly great bowler. If Yasir Arafat continues improving the way he has done over the past year or so he could be rather special, although he didn?t bowl too well at Mohali. Mansoor Amjad I expect to develop into a fine international cricketer. I wouldn?t rule out a dramatic comeback from Salman Butt either. He has so much time to play his shots that he will be unstoppable (I hope) once he gets going properly.
PakPassion.Net: Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar seem to be the first choice strike bowlers for Pakistan in both forms of the game, who would you have as the third seamer between Gul, Rana, Rao and Yasir Arafat? Would it be different for test and ODI's? (from abdul9383)
Kamran Abbasi: Let?s assume, abdul9383, that the opening bowlers are Shoaib and Asif. On current form I?d go for Gul and possibly Yasir in one-dayers since he has potential as a batsman. In the absence of Shoaib and Asif, my attack would be (from your list) Gul, Rao, and Yasir. For whatever reason, Rana seems to have lost it. If he found his form again I?d drop Rao.
Another failing is our bowling coach. I?m a big fan of Waqar?s but I can?t really see any evidence of his coaching in terms of improvement in performance. Indeed, I attended a net session during the last tour and I can?t remember Waqar giving anybody any advice. He did call no-balls though.
PakPassion.Net: Should Pakistan field specialist openers like Farhat and Butt or all-round openers like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik? What would be your solution to our opening woes? (from abdul9383)
Kamran Abbasi: abdul9383, I?m all for specialist openers unless one of them is a pinch hitter. You need a solid base and it?s not good for a middle order to be under pressure every innings. I count Hafeez as a specialist opener who happens to be an excellent one-day spinner. Shoaib Malik on the other hand isn?t an opener in my view and is better played in the middle order. I do understand why Farhat keeps getting picked. He looks the best opener by a mile in the nets. Perhaps he just hasn?t got the mental make up to be a long term opener for Pakistan. My hunch is that Hafeez has done enough to win one slot and I fancy Butt to win his place back.
PakPassion.Net: What do you think was the reason Pakistan couldn?t win the ODI series in England? Were the players tired, was it a lack of strategy or was there another reason? (from uzzie01)
Kamran Abbasi: It was complicated uzzie01. I don?t buy the tiredness excuse and they had a strategy. I think they were partly undone by the conditions, as soon as batting looks tricky our boys can?t handle it. But it is fair to say that by the end of the tour it wasn?t a perfectly harmonious camp. Not all the players appreciate the religious regime and control that Inzy demands. And that sort of thing can wear people down at the end of a long tour eventhough there might not have been any flashpoints. Inevitably, too, events at The Oval did take a lot out of them. Shoaib also threw one of his legendary sickies for the final match. I?ve no doubt that Pakistan are and were the better team. Whatever romantic picture we paint about Pakistan cricket, the team?s form is unpredictable, but it?s more likely to succeed more than it fails if the administration and management are free of controversy.
PakPassion.Net: Where would you rank the current Pak team? What are the chances of this Pak team winning the world cup? (from PlanetPakistan)
Kamran Abbasi: If Pakistan have Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif available I think that on the wickets of the West Indies, Pakistan will be one of the favourites and have a very good chance of victory. Without those two I think we?re too liable to be cannon fodder for one of the big batting line-ups.
PakPassion.Net: Have you played cricket at a competitive level? If yes, then when and where? (from PlanetPakistan)
Kamran Abbasi: PlanetPakistan, I captained my school and medical school first XIs, played league cricket in Yorkshire, and reached final trials for Yorkshire at U19 level. But since I wasn?t eligible to play for Yorkshire in any case I?m not sure what the point was. After that, medical school and medicine finished me off. If I?d devoted myself to cricket I think I could have achieved more but possibly not much more.
PakPassion.Net: You?re probably PakPassion?s most famous lurker. Have you ever considered signing up and what do you think of the huge change in PakPassion over the last couple of years? As the editor of respected publications, what would your advice be to improve PakPassion and where do you see it?s future? (from Mercenary)
Kamran Abbasi: I think Pakpassion is great, Merc. The future of the internet is infinite conversations between people who care passionately about a subject. It is also about people sharing information and building a community. Pakpassion is all of that and I think it has a tremendous future as we all struggle to keep ourselves informed about the things we really care about. You?ve improved the site considerably over the years, particularly doing well in raising the level of debate. I suggest you continue excelling at being THE place to pick up the latest information and views about Pakistan cricket, building a massively long list of registered users, marketing yourselves to advertisers seeking to sell their products to dynamic young Pakistanis all over the world, getting bought out by Google for millions, and then spending the rest of your lives breeding horses and cruising on your personal yachts.
I did sign up years ago but then you moved sites. I just enjoy reading what informed fans think and it helps me keep my finger on the pulse. Keep up the good fight and thanks to all of you who bothered to send in questions and also to all of you who bothered to read my answers.
