Stories by Saad Shafqat

Crisis of neutrality at ICC

Crisis of neutrality at ICC

In pure cricketing terms, forfeiting a group match seems a needless own-goal. But a point had to be made, and the PCB did it. Updated 06 Feb, 2026 09:54am
A complicated business

A complicated business

When sporting encounters are surrounded by outright hostility in virtually every other sphere of life, the bounds of civility are likely to get breached. Updated 03 Oct, 2025 08:41am
The nugget

The nugget

Over the years, Dr K.H. Baloch has produced 10 cricket books, many with arcane details on Pakistan cricket and cricketers that cannot be found anywhere else. Published 10 Jun, 2012 03:34am

Match-fixing on the back foot?

WHAT in heaven`s name is happening in the world of cricket? This gentleman`s game, amusement of rajas, beloved distraction for millions, has suddenly acquired a sinister air. Published 20 Nov, 2011 07:27pm

Reverse swing: The long view

Modern cricket has an overpowering intensity that sucks you in. You find yourself caught up in the ongoing... Published 17 Oct, 2010 12:00am
Reverse swing: Endless love

Reverse swing: Endless love

Cricket may not be everyone’s favourite sport these days, but there is no shortage of people wanting to discuss it.... Published 03 Oct, 2010 09:14pm

Reverse swing: Endless love

Cricket may not be everyone`s favourite sport these days, but there is no shortage of people wanting to discuss it.... Published 03 Oct, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: It`s just not cricket

Clues have begun to emerge suggesting that the match-fixing and spot-fixing scam extends beyond Pakistan. To be ... Published 19 Sep, 2010 12:00am

Oval it is again

“I entered the Oval ground with a strong determination to win,” writes Fazal Mahmood in his autobiography From Dusk... Published 22 Aug, 2010 12:00am
Reverse swing: Oval it is again

Reverse swing: Oval it is again

“I entered the Oval ground with a strong determination to win,” writes Fazal Mahmood in his autobiography From Dusk... Published 21 Aug, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: Ifs and Butt

As expected, the upbeat mood created by Pakistan`s victory over Australia at Headingley did not last long. Heady... Published 08 Aug, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: A few ugly blemishes

The first MCC Spirit of Cricket Test at Lord`s marked Pakistans 13th consecutive loss to Australia, making it the... Published 25 Jul, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: Duckworth and Lewis

If you`ve followed cricket with even casual interest, by now you will definitely have heard of Duckworth and Lewis.... Published 11 Jul, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: Hundred and one

On a quiet afternoon not too long ago, a colleague at work asked me who I thought was the greatest Pakistani... Published 27 Jun, 2010 12:00am

Reverse swing: On English soil

Remember the last time Pakistan undertook a tour of England? It didn`t turn out too well, did it? As Pakistan... Published 13 Jun, 2010 12:00am

No one is fooled

Over the last few weeks, we have all been involved in conversations where the mental functioning and toilet manners... Published 30 May, 2010 12:00am