Random Cricket Photos Post 34



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To talk about the Mohammad brothers of Pakistan without mentioning Master Aziz is akin to talking of Brian Lara minus the mention of his 400. At the age of 15, City School’s Hanif was spotted by Master Aziz in Karachi who persuaded the boy’s mother to transfer him to Sind Madrassa where he got him a free scholarship to take him under his wings.

And that’s how began the shaping of the Mohammad brothers by Master Aziz, a man who had played against the touring Australians in 1936 in an unofficial Test. Hanif later revealed how his passionate coach would spend all the money on his pupils and lived in almost penury. He even didn’t shy away from giving decisions in favour of his pupils when he stood as an umpire in matches involving the Mohammad brothers, believing firmly that they were headed for greatness and should be allowed as much time on the crease as possible.

And looking back, one can forgive Master Aziz for his deeds for a Mohammad played for Pakistan in their first hundred Tests. That was the impact of Master Aziz on Pakistan cricket.

The impact of Master Aziz was no less on this side of the border either. In fact, his own blood, who he couldn’t tutor as he coached the Mohammad brothers, would go on to become one of the most loved cricketers in the country, extremely popular for his penchant for delivering sixes whenever the crowds demanded.

Yes, I am talking about Salim Durrani, one of the first stars of Indian cricket, who was separated from his father in the partition of 1947. Born in Kabul to a man who would go on to coach some of the best cricketers of Pakistan, it is in a way ironic that he would go on to become the first Indian cricketer to win the Arjuna Award.

In the light of all that’s going on in the recent past in both the countries, just read this post and think. Just think.

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