August 9, 2003

Cricket legend Javed Miandad has finally come up with an autobiography that is full of his achievements and the controversies he was involved with. Co-authored by renowned Physician Saad Shafqat, Cutting Edge: My Autobiography starts and ends in Miandad’s batting style. It commences the way he started his innings, defensively. In the middle, the approach of the book changes to offensive while towards the end, it is as open as Javed Miandad was on the opposing bowlers in the dying moments of the match. All those who remember his last-ball six at Sharjah and his brilliant batting display in the 1992 World Cup know that these comments mean that this book is something special.

It has a foreword from former English captain Tony Greig who played alongside Miandad in the World Series and county circuit. Although in its 23 chapters, the book covers most of the aspects of Miandad’s personal life and cricketing career, it has some distinguishing and some not-so-distinguishing features. Miandad discusses issues like his missing a triple century, his retirement, his relationship with Imran Khan (in one-full chapter), his famous row in the 1992 World Cup with Kiran More, his experience with Uncle Kerry Packer and his trip to Brunei, while he doesn’t clarify his position on topics like his reasons for resigning as the national coach before the 1999 World Cup and his on-the-field clash with Dennis Lillee in Australia in the early 1980s.

Considering the book as Dr Shafqat’s maiden attempt, Cutting Edge sure has an edge over others. Had it been well-dramatized like Fazal Mahmood’s autobiography From Dusk To Dawn, (also an Oxford publication), it would have been far superior. On the whole, it is a must-read for Miandad fans and followers as it features a lot of advice and would go well for cricket lovers and followers of the game.

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