Farooq Mazhar, a veteran and eminent Pakistani sports commentator and journalist, who was Media Manager of the Pakistan team on their recent tour to New Zealand, died of a heart attack in Bahrain on his way to the USA on the 28th April 2001; this piece is dedicated to his memory.

My wife and I, probably as a matter of principle (I say habit) seldom agree on any point. However both of us are in unison in our respect, affection, and admiration of Farooq Mazhar. Unlike me, my wife was unaware of the literary and journalistic talents and fame of Farooq, being quite oblivious of his achievements in the media fields of hockey and cricket.

Farooq had, however, captured her appreciation and won her gratitude (more mine actually) by responding to my call (or was it a plea?) in a newspaper article written during the World Cup 1996, wherein I had indicated that in one of my weaker moments I had invited my wife to witness the final of the World Cup at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and that, not in keeping with past practices, she had unexpectedly accepted the offer thus placing me in a quandary. It was revealed later that the participation of Sri Lanka as one of the finalists had influenced her decision as she loves the island and its people - and, of course the elephants! The ticket priced at rs 5000/= (rs 10000/= if you included - as it later proved - the non-existent hospitality), was way beyond my meagre means.

I had in the meantime scooted off to India to cover the "Indian side" of the World Cup - including the disastrous (from a Pakistani point of view) quarter-final in Bangalore and the shameful semi-final at Calcutta, for the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, and was quite sure that my wife would have forgotten all about the final. Returning to Karachi from Kolkata (having given Chandigarh the miss) for the onward journey to Lahore for the Final, I was surprised to find my wife all prepared and packed and waiting to take wing with me to the capital of Punjab.

She had received three tickets (all for Mrs Chishty Mujahid) from very good friends and the first one (hospitality included) had come as she told me from a most kind gentleman called Mr Farooq Mazhar. The other two donors will not be named here but they helped as the young couple Kamal and Erum Mannoo, with whom we were to stay at Lahore (hotel accommodation being completely sold out - nothing new!) were also able to watch the match. I may add here that this was the first one-day international that my wife had ever witnessed "live". This is just one example of Farooq Mazhar's concern, kindness and consideration for a junior "partner in crime."

Farooq always referred to me as "my young friend" - I being slightly younger. Whether I deserved to be categorized as his friend I am not quite sure; proud to have been called that, yes, but deserving that title, certainly not. Farooq was in a different league than I. His talents were immense; his personality powerful, at times overbearing; his writings very enjoyable, fearless and most readable - though they could also be truthfully vitriolic; his voice authoritative and resonant; his vocabulary precise and descriptive; his sense of humour crisp and dry; his generosity and kindness overwhelming; his hospitality typically eastern; his criticism healthy, and forthright but helpful - need I go on?

I have had the pleasure, honour and privilege of knowing Farooq Mazhar for over a quarter of a century, most of it during cricket coverage - the only time I have seen an international hockey match "live" was when Farooq induced (translation for twisting my arm) me to make on-the-ground announcements in a match at the Hockey Club of Pakistan stadium at Karachi. When I protested that I knew very little of hockey (having only played it against the girls' team at school) his response was typical: "Nor do any of the others!!"

In the 70s and 80s, we all greatly looked forward to the cricket at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, because the lunch for all his friends was on Farooq. The Test matches were more eagerly awaited as they lasted five days. This meant that for five days all of us were the guests for great meals specially cooked at Farooq's house, brought piping hot and fresh to the Stadium and served on proper plates. The menu was usually stuffed parathas, aloo/qeema, a variety of pickles etc, and always available was plenty of yoghurt. The "commentary chunks" after lunch were usually handed over by our seniors to us juniors, so that we could "gain valuable experience" while they digested Farooq's excellent fare.

The last time I met Farooq was from 15th February to 3rd March, 2001 when I was in New Zealand to cover the five-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand for the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. I was pleasantly surprised and greatly excited when at Auckland airport's baggage carousel I saw two gentlemen in green Pakistan blazers waiting for their luggage; my excitement was further enhanced when I realized that one of them was Farooq, whom I had not seen for half a decade. He told me that he had migrated to the USA and was now living in Texas - you are a long way from home buddy, I quipped. It transpired that a media manager was needed by the Pakistan team (a lot more was also needed!!) And the chairman had appointed Farooq who, in spite of indifferent health (he looked it and as the tour progressed his health seemed to deteriorate), had accepted - that was the patriot in him. The other was Dr Tauseef Razzak, a very talented and proper young man who, I was later to learn, was to be in charge of Shoaib Akhtar's health.

To cut a long story short, Farooq's bags did not arrive with the luggage, and he had to live on some allowance which the airlines offer under such circumstances. We kept "bumping" into each other and exchanging pleasantries and concerns, not only about the team's fitness and performance, but also Farooq's suitcase. His main cause for woe at the "loss" of the suitcase was that it had a valuable collection of ties. I mentioned to him that if he vowed (mannat) to give me 10% of his collection, he would get his suitcase within 24 hours - he readily agreed and the following morning happily reported that the suitcase had been delivered to his hotel room. And true to his word, a day later he presented me with two ties - the Sydney 2000 and the PCB ties. Although I now seldom wear ties, I will preserve these with respect and affection and cherish his memory.

Farooq and I had a couple of dinners together at Christchurch and Wellington and a few "gup shup" (light conversation) sessions with the manager Faqir Syed Aizazuddin, the coach Javed Miandad, and the doctor turned analyst, the highly talented Nauman Niaz, who had within a week swept clean of their stocks all the cricket bookshops in New Zealand. He purchased more books than the Pakistan batsmen scored runs.

Even though not in the best of health, Farooq remained his usual cheerful and bubbly self; and always had the good of Pakistan, Pakistan cricket and sports at heart. At this time of grief our sympathies go out to Farooq's wife Khalida and his children. Also to his mother, sister and brothers. I have worked for Khalida for a number of years. She was a news producer (later the controller of news and current affairs at PTV) when I was telecasting news. She was also the producer of "World Tonight" - a show I compered for a few years.

We will miss Farooq Mazhar - personalities like him are born once in maybe a century or even more. May Allah in his infinite mercy rest his soul in peace.

The writer, Chishty Mujahid, has been a Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan cricket commentator for the last 34 years; he has also covered cricket for Star/WorldTel/TWI/BBC; now based in Sri Lanka, he has covered cricket for Rupavahini/South Africa Radio and CricInfo.

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