KARACHI: Senior sports journalist, commentator and former first-class cricketer Qamar Ahmed has reflected on his remarkable seven-decade-long journey in cricket journalism at a session organised by the Library and Literary Committee of the Karachi Gymkhana.

The event featured a candid interview by Dr Saad Shafqat in front of a packed hall of cricket enthusiasts and literary figures.

The veteran journalist discussed his autobiography, For More Than a Game, which details his life journey from his birth in Bihar, India, to his migration to Pakistan, education in Hyderabad, and eventual relocation to London.

The book also recounts his rich experiences with cricketing legends and historical events he covered, including the 1,000th and 2,000th Test matches.

During the interactive session, Mr Ahmed named Abdul Hafeez Kardar and Mushtaq Mohammad as the best captains in Pakistan’s cricketing history.

In response to a question about the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he criticised the selection policies, alleging favouritism based on regional affiliations.

“I was a good first-class cricketer but was never considered for the national team because I was from Hyderabad. PCB always preferred players from Karachi and Lahore,” he lamented.

Mr Ahmed termed Hanif Muhammad, Zaheer Abbas, and Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s all-time greatest batsmen

He expressed his disinterest in the modern Twenty-20 format of the game, stating that he has never watched a T-20 match due to his lack of appreciation for the format.

He shared anecdotes from his interactions with cricket legends such as Sir Don Bradman, Sir Gary Sobers and Hanif Muhammad with whom he had the honour of both watching and playing cricket.

Mr Ahmed, who spent over 50 years in London, also spoke about his international reporting experiences, including a historic interview with South African leader Nelson Mandela during the Apartheid era.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025