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December 20, 1997
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The Cricket Interview/Saeed Anwar
'Cricket is a funny game. One day you are raised to the country, the next you are dumped flat on your face'
If it's Sharjah, it's got to be Saeed Anwar.
The free scoring left-handed batsman and slow left-arm spin bowler made his first-class debut in 1986-'87, and went through
the grind of Under-19 matches, later playing with great authority
for Karachi, United Bank and ADBP. Anwar came into the limelight
against the 1988 Australians by scoring 127 for NWFP Governor's
XI at Peshawar -- his first appearance against an international
team.
Given the freedom to play his normal attacking, enterprising game, he developed into Pakistan's most successful one day opener, and in time matured into a highly responsible opening batsman in Test cricket as well.
A brilliant
fielder -- whether in close catching positions or patrolling the region square of the wicket on either side -- his biggest asset remains his ability to get runs on either side of the wicket to both pace and spin bowling.
His 194 in Madras during the Independence Cup tie against India -- the highest score by any batsman in one day cricket -- put him up there with the greats of the game, but it is in Sharjah that he assumes an aura of invincibility -- half of his 14 centuries have been made at the desert venue.
He speaks to Anant Gaundalkar about various cricketing issues:
How would you rate your latest one-day hundred against India at Sharjah?
This century was one of my best ever. The atmosphere was surcharged, which one generally associates with India-Pakistan games at the venue. We were chasing a target, which adds to the pressures and the responsibility. And we had lost some quick wickets, Inzamam was hurt and it wasn't sure how long or how well he could bat, all of which meant I had to be there and make sure the team won.
This seems to be your favourite ground -- seven of your hundreds have come at this venue.
Most players have their favourite grounds. The legendary Sir Donald Bradman seems to have had a special
liking for Headingley, where he has the unique
distinction of scoring 300 or more runs twice in Tests. Similarly, India's little master, Sunil Gavaskar, has good memories of Port of Spain, Trinidad. For me, it is Sharjah, the setting is beautiful, the ground is a very good one, the atmosphere is conducive to quality cricket.
There seems to be a cricket match played every day, these days. Comments?
Yes, this is correct. For instance, we have just finished playing six Tests against South Africa and the West Indies at home.This was
interrupted by the quadrangular tournament for the Jinnah Cup.
Before this, we appeared in a series of eight one dayers against India, in Toronto and Pakistan. Now we were here to play the Champions Trophy in Sharjah.
Yes, there is an overdose of cricket, and it is very taxing. Especially the one dayers, where so much happens in the span of 100 overs, and you have to be concentrated, focused, on your toes all the time. That is why one day cricket is much tougher than Test cricket. And these days, a lot of games are played back to back, the same team having to perform on successive days. Add to all this the tensions, the travel from place to place and from one climate to another. Yes, cricket has become more professional. Not that I am complaining, mind you.
Just a while ago, you were captain of Pakistan. How did it feel then, how does it feel now that you have given up the captaincy?
I enjoyed every bit of the captaincy, it was a great experience and I felt proud to have been selected to lead the country. However, it has to be stressed that it was a stop gap arrangement, and now that Wasim Akram, our real leader and one of the best all rounders in cricket today, has taken back the captaincy, I have no regrets. In fact, now that the pressure, the
burden of captaincy has been removed, I can properly
concentrate on my batting. As long as I get runs for my team,
I am more than happy.
During the post match press conference at the end of the India-Pakistan game, Wasim Akram referred to you as 'the world's best batsman'. How do you feel about getting that rating?
It is not for me to judge myself, but for others. As far as I am concerned, I will just concentrate
on my batting, let my bat talk for me. However, I must add here that there are other contemporary cricketers
who are going great guns in the batting department -- Brian Lara, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar... All of them are in a class
of their own and have displayed tremendous batting skills and all-round
technique. I am glad that I am considered fit for this elite company, but let me tell you, you can't just say you are good and sit back. Cricket is a hard game, you have to constantly work at it.
Only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies has more centuries than you in one day cricket -- when do you hope to go to the top of the list?
I don't really play for records. As long as I get runs and hundreds,
I am happy. When I go out in the middle, I just concentrate
on the game, what comes first is the country's performance. If Pakistan can win because of my effort, I am more than happy -- like I said, my century here was important not because it was my 14th overall, or the 7th in Sharjah, but because it helped us win the game. All other records are secondary.
What are your plans for the future, how long do you see yourself continuing to play?
As long as the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan, and
the national selection committee, needs my services, I will continue
to play. It is great fun playing for the country, and I enjoy
it thoroughly. Of course, it is tough playing day in and day out, that too when the demands and expectations from fans is so high.
As
long as you and your country are doing well, you are made out
to be a hero. The moment, you slip with your performance, it is
hardship all the way, people are waiting to criticise you to
the end. Cricket is a funny game that way, one day you are raised to the country, the next you are dumped flat on your face.
Career Record:
TESTS
(including 06/12/1997)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 27 45 1 1875 176 42.61 4 14 14 -
O M R W Ave Best 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 3 2 4 0 - - - - - 1.33
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
(including 15/12/1997)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 140 138 13 5021 194 40.16 14 20 26 -
O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling 29.4 1 156 3 52.00 1-9 - - 59.3 5.25
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