KARACHI: Prominent cricket personalities, friends and colleagues showered praise on former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu for his tremendous services to the game of cricket, his outstanding career with the national airlines and his invaluable personal traits at the impressive launch ceremony of his book Sallu — An Autobiography at a local hotel here on Tuesday.

Sallu’s preference to merit throughout his career as selection committee member and chief selector was highlighted by former captains Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan and Rashid Latif who thanked the burly author for being a fine advisor to the cricketers of all ages and for giving the deserving players a chance to always show their talent.

Hanif Mohammad, a former captain and one of the finest batsmen to grace the game, while recalling the early days of Sallu’s career said he was an intelligent player who really worked hard at his game.

“Way back in 1965, I recommended Sallu’s name to the then chief selector and asked him to consider him for the national team because he [Sallu] was Test material by all means,” said Hanif.

Squash legend Jahangir Khan and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, while speaking on the occasion, eulogised Sallu’s services to the game and said he was one person whom friends could rely on totally in the toughest of situations.

Long-time friend and ex-hockey captain Islahuddin fondly recollected the days he and Sallu had spent during their teens. “I learnt my cricket from Sallu and he allowed me the opportunity to play with some illustrious people in his benefit match in 1975 and also in 1976,” recalled Islah.

“His family has stood by him and this book is ample proof of Sallu’s dedication to them as well as Pakistan cricket.”

Former PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood amused the audience by narrating a few incidents which reflected on Sallu’s refined taste in poetry and literature.

“He [Sallu] always had a couplet ready for the various occasions which was such a great quality,” said Khalid who flew in specially from Lahore to attend the book launch.

“He [Sallu] could diffuse the thorniest of situations by reciting poetry and was an honest chief selector who would never bow down to pressure,” he said Ex-PCB chairman Arif Abbasi and famous TV anchor Kamran Khan also spoke on the occasion and described their long-time association with Sallu as a cherished one by all counts. One of Sallu’s admirers and friends Dr Kashif, who specially flew in from Houston, announced a ‘Sallu Scholarship’ which he said will specifically be offered to the children of former cricketers.

The book, Sallu — An Autobiography which has been penned by Sallu in Urdu, is an interesting account of his life and times, his wonderful associations both on and off the field, the great influences in his career, and, of course, his undying love for literature and poetry which endeared him to one and all.

In the end, Sallu said he has dedicated the book to his parents without whose guidance he could not achieve anything in life.

Renowned tv writer Anwar Maqsood, who acted as moderator, had the audience in fits with his anecdotes and crisp one-liners while highlighting Sallu’s career and love for poetry.

Former Test cricketers Iqbal Qasim, Sadiq Mohammad, Jalaluddin, Tauseef Ahmed, Salim Jaffar, Iqbal Sikander, Abdul Raqueeb, ex-hockey captain Abdul Waheed Khan and Hanif Khan, event coordinator Asif Azeem besides a large number of sports organisers, friends and relatives attended the ceremony.