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4.68 AVERAGE
4.68 AVERAGE
The tumultuous history of Pakistan cricket is eloquently captured by Osman Samiuddin in his fascinating and aptly titled book "The Unquiet Ones".
The book goes through the circumstances surrounding the creation of the first Pakistani team to the team environment in the lead up to the infamous 2010 fixing scandal. It covers both the progress and the regression; the highs and the lows. More specifically there is the history of the team foremost, the Pakistan Cricket Board, domestic cricket, sponsorship deals and the local cricket scene around the country. This book is not for the faint hearted Pakistani cricket fan (if he even exists) as author is crude and blunt about the failures of Pakistan cricket.
As always, Osman Samiuddin's writing in this book is a pleasure to read. He is easily one of the best sports writers right now. It is hard to imagine someone else capture the jazba of cricket in Pakistan. I personally enjoyed the player's profiles the most: from Kardar to Akram.
If I had a single criticism it would be the overt political stance of the author; the biases impacted the style of writing. It looked like the author wanted to insert his own political views wherever necessary. This felt a bit off putting.
Other than that, this is the go to book for anyone curious about the history of cricket in Pakistan.
The book goes through the circumstances surrounding the creation of the first Pakistani team to the team environment in the lead up to the infamous 2010 fixing scandal. It covers both the progress and the regression; the highs and the lows. More specifically there is the history of the team foremost, the Pakistan Cricket Board, domestic cricket, sponsorship deals and the local cricket scene around the country. This book is not for the faint hearted Pakistani cricket fan (if he even exists) as author is crude and blunt about the failures of Pakistan cricket.
As always, Osman Samiuddin's writing in this book is a pleasure to read. He is easily one of the best sports writers right now. It is hard to imagine someone else capture the jazba of cricket in Pakistan. I personally enjoyed the player's profiles the most: from Kardar to Akram.
If I had a single criticism it would be the overt political stance of the author; the biases impacted the style of writing. It looked like the author wanted to insert his own political views wherever necessary. This felt a bit off putting.
Other than that, this is the go to book for anyone curious about the history of cricket in Pakistan.
Excellent overview of Pakistani cricket, bringing in, without focusing on, the various political backdrops. It could have been twice the length had the author chosen to spend more time in individual players - and I would have happily read it. For Pakistan cricket fans this is a great book, but for cricket fans in general, you can't fail to be entertained and dismayed in equal measure - pretty much what watching Pakistan play is like. The book captures so well the mercurial nature of the country and the team, providing critical insight into what makes them tick in the way they do.
I could have done with more on the seminal (well, for a Pakistani cricket fan I suppose) world cup win in 1992, but it did bring back some fabulous memories of watching a team that was both gifted and frustrating in equal measure. The chapters on Wasim and Waqar were also great fun to read, descriptions of Waqar's toe crusher yorkers bringing back fond memories of watching them utterly master England and the look of fear in a particular English batsmen's eyes (cough, Graham Hick, cough) when Waqar would begin his run up.
My only complaint is that it finishes a little abruptly but other than that, I highly recommend the book, it's a great effort to capture this complex and fascinating history.
I could have done with more on the seminal (well, for a Pakistani cricket fan I suppose) world cup win in 1992, but it did bring back some fabulous memories of watching a team that was both gifted and frustrating in equal measure. The chapters on Wasim and Waqar were also great fun to read, descriptions of Waqar's toe crusher yorkers bringing back fond memories of watching them utterly master England and the look of fear in a particular English batsmen's eyes (cough, Graham Hick, cough) when Waqar would begin his run up.
My only complaint is that it finishes a little abruptly but other than that, I highly recommend the book, it's a great effort to capture this complex and fascinating history.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Samiuddin is one of my favorite cricket writers and he charts out Pakistan cricket's history quite beautifully. The book plays around with time and pace, with its dramatic characters being themselves.
He never hangs back on his criticisms, in fact there's more of it than praise. With its tumultuous politics not only influencing but dictating cricket, the fact that this team has achieved so much and still produces some of the most entertaining cricket is commendable.
He never hangs back on his criticisms, in fact there's more of it than praise. With its tumultuous politics not only influencing but dictating cricket, the fact that this team has achieved so much and still produces some of the most entertaining cricket is commendable.
Osman Saimuddin is a genius. A must read book if you have ever been fascinated by Pakistani Cricket or Cricket in general.
A really compelling and colourful read on the origins of cricket in Pakistan, covering everything from how stadiums were built and live commentary was introduced in a young, passionate nation to the captains that would shape various leadership styles and the politicking that would come to dominate the administration of the game. Highly recommended to anyone who has ever enjoyed watching Pakistan play cricket, or been fascinated by how the sport has dominated the country and the region.