Daily Times

At what point did you realise cricket was the best profession for you?

Tell us about your first break.

Nobody decides what profession they’ll end up pursuing when they’re young. I used to go to school like any regular kid and played all kinds of sports with my friends, cricket being one of them. So nothing was pre determined. I never played with the intention that I will end up being a pro. Also, cricket is such a healthy sport to play. I was very athletic right from the start. Other than cricket, I participated in long jump, hockey, football, etc. My father and brothers used to play cricket me as well. It was a family game. It was a healthy exercise plus it kept me away from all kinds of bad habits like drugs and other intoxicants. My mother, however was against me playing so much, because even on Sundays I used to be outside playing with my elder brothers and was hardly home because of this. It was only when I started playing under 19 that my studies began suffering. You see, there is no discipline in Pakistan. In foreign countries, when kids play any sport even that is done on discipline. There are timings. Such is not the case here. We don’t have such facilities here. We don’t have money to educate children here, leave alone sport centres.

How did your family react to your decision of being a professional cricket? How did you manage your studies along with playing in the field?

I flunked my matriculation exams at the age of 15, and had to appear for supplementary papers, as I was playing cricket so much in those days. I used to play country cricket as well for Sussex. Had I played through an institution or a department, I would have had a sound job as well and would’ve been secure in that way. Other than my mother, who I just mentioned was against me playing even on Sundays, the rest of my family members were happy. I debuted with 163 runs in a Lahore match in 1976. I played for Pakistan in the first World Cup in England in 1975. I was the only boy among biggies!

Growing up, who did you admire the most in the field of cricket?

The Muhammad brothers; Mushtaq, Sadiq and Hanif!

Tell us about a memorable moment in your career.

Masha Allah, there have been so many. My historic last ball big six against India in 1986, when four runs were required to win, Pakistan won an international game in that fashion for the first time. Single-handedly, I took the game towards victory. After that match, so many people had a heart attack, literally. Nobody could imagine that we will win. But I had faith and I carried on. I pulled the country out of crisis. My performance and my country’s win was the only thing on my mind. I used to live cricket. However, many years later, our players deviated from performing and got themselves involved in other activities; such disheartened was I that I quit the sport altogether.

You were popularly known as the greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced. Was this something you always wanted to be remembered as?

Your work makes you great. I only used to try my best as a sportsman. Winning a trophy is the ultimate achievement. My country was always first for me. If I was away from my family and country, I had to make it count. I wasn’t away and sacrificing family life for nothing. Such should be your vision. I had a lot of patriotic spirit. Whenever our team wins a match, you know how excited everyone is. Battles are won with spirit; without spirit, there is no victory.

How much do you think Pakistani cricket team has evolved from 1996 up till now? What are the core ingredients necessary for our team to possess to be champions again?

Your performance is what makes you a champion. But these days, selection is done only through nepotism. There is no merit anymore. Those who can really play are left out. How can we expect the country to win? We leave behind those who actually know the sport. Wrong people are running the show. We have deviated from the core values that our country was built upon, which was fairness and justice.

“Battles are won with spirit; without spirit, there is no victory”

What fitness routine did you follow back then? What about now?

I used to do running, etc but it’s definitely your knowledge and grasp on the sport that is what counts. In our time, we cricketers used to have parathas before a match. These days, I really have no clue how these dieticians help. I still do my exercises though. Apart from that, I was always very religious too. I always had faith in Him before any match.

What is your vision for Pakistan? What does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

People know me through my country and what I have done for it. Sir Vivian Richards once remarked about me that Javed can give his life for the country but never be a sell-out.

Have you ever been associated with any charity work?

I do help others in whichever way I can, but I am not associated with any charity in particular. I strongly believe that charity begins at home. If members of your extended family are living in poverty, and you’re out there spending billions on charities, I don’t think that counts. We must first ensure that our kith and kin are living in comfort. I don’t believe in such charities who rob the markets and are on payrolls themselves. Charities are simply a form of conspiracy these days in Pakistan.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement till date?

Whatever I did on the field is part of my achievements. I played for almost 25 years top class. My career was blot free. I walk around with respect now. My father used to say that money is worthless. Be a gentleman. Be a man who is missed dearly and is remembered with respect even after dying. Live in a way that money comes after you and not the other way around.

We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?

The Muhammad brothers like I mentioned earlier. My own family too. They guided me and gave me a direction at such a young age. Whatever respect I have is because of my family.

 Achievements

Cricket Legend

Foreign press remembers Javed Miandad the greatest batsman Pakistan has ever produced. After his playing career, he has remained the coach of Pakistan cricket team at various occasions, as well as held positions in the Pakistan Cricket Board. He had three coaching stints with the Pakistan national team. Pakistan first Test captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, when saw Javed Miandad during 1970s, predicted famously about him: “the find of the decade”. His inclusion in the Pakistan team was itself an achievement. He has the honour of being the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in both 1st and 100th Test. He made his highest score of 280 not out against India. Pakistan went on to win that match. Miandad is the first player to have played in six World Cups.

National Hero

Miandad broke George Headley’s 47-year-old record, and became the youngest player-aged 19 years-to score a double-century. Pakistan recorded their first win at a major tournament and Miandad finished his innings with 116 not out. This is still considered as one of the most historic moments in the history of ODI cricket and he became a national hero. Miandad is one of the only individuals to have coached the Pakistan cricket team thrice. Miandad holds the world record for the maximum number of consecutive half centuries in One Day Internationals.

International Star

Cricket almanack Wisden noted that Miandad grew further in stature as an international batsman, his youthful audacity now being supplanted by a technical competence and insatiable appetite for runs. Miandad was amongst the three Pakistani players to have his name in the Hall of Fame at Lord’s. In 1982, Wisden named him as one of the cricketers of the year. He was also declared the 44th best Cricketer of all time in ESPN Legend of Cricket.

Raking In The Awards

In 1986, Miandad received the President’s Pride of Performance Award. In 1992, he was decorated by the president of Pakistan with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (The Star Of Excellence), the third highest honour bestowed by Pakistan.