Cricket in Pakistan has produced two outstanding Kaptaans. Abdul Hafeez Kardar also called “Hafeeza Khabbu” took the country on the world stage and Imran Khan Niazi led the team to its world cup victory in 1992. Both belonged to Lahore, were educated at Oxford University in UK and then entered politics after retirement from the game. Kardar Sahib led from the front. He was an all rounder always ready to play the Captain’s knock. In those days, cricket was played on the matting with minimum body cover. The giant sized fast bowlers of the West Indies were intimidating. It was a game of courage and stamina with minimum monetary rewards. The only format was five days test matches. Kardar eleven had the unique distinction of winning against all test playing countries. In 1954, Pakistan defeated England at the Oval and under his professional leadership, the historic win is revered till today.
In 1969, Kardar Sahib joined Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s (ZAB) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and was elected member of the provincial assembly (MPA) from Lahore in the 1970 elections. He then reorganized the Pakistan Cricket Board and is credited for the glory of the game in the country. He joined the provincial cabinet as Minister of Education which gained a lot of importance after the promulgation of the 1973 constitution in which literacy was declared a right of the citizen to the provided in ten years.
As a minister he lived in is own rented apartment on the canal near Aziz Avenue and used his private car. Reached the civil secretariat at 8am every morning, office and visiting hours were strictly observed. The ministry was run professionally with no political pressure or interference. Professor Rashid a prominent educationist and former principal of Government College was appointed Secretary Education. Major reforms were introduced that included banning of test papers and get through guides that promoted rote learning. He was different to the run of the mill politicians, he proved to be a Kaptaan in his new innings as well. In the 1977 elections when there were charges of rigging, he resigned from the party.
He was appointed Ambassador to Switzerland where he completed his term. On his return he established his own consultancy business in Lahore and also authored several books. In 1995, he published his autobiography titled “Failed Expectations”. It is an interesting book that highlights the struggle of upright and principled individuals in the Pakistani set up. Kardar Sahib is revered and remembered as a great son of Lahore who did not build personal empires but served his country with honesty and devotion. In April 1996 at the age of 71 years, he departed from this world. His illustrious son Shahid Kardar rose to be the governor of State Bank of Pakistan and is currently a Vice Chancellor of a prestigious private university in Lahore.
It is an interesting co-incidence that the first Kaptaan passed away on April 21, 1996 while the second Kaptaan announced his party on April 25, 1996. Where one crusade ended the other began. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) was created as a party of change to hand over Quaid’s Pakistan to the next generation. “Naya Pakistan” is in fact the “Asli Pakistan” as conceived by the founding fathers.
The founding fathers of PTI developed a culture of giving not taking, which was unknown in the political arena of the 80s and 90s. Individuals whose wealth increased after joining politics cannot fit into this culture of giving and automatically stand disqualified. The rank and file of the party does not respect nor follow tainted political players. In order to bring change one has to be clean and untainted otherwise. It is more of the same. Like Kardar Sahib, Imran Khan also leads from the front. His credentials of leadership stand out.
Kaptaan-I played an unblemished innings. Compromise was unknown to him. He surrounded himself with people of honour and integrity. “Doh Numbers” were kept at poles’ length. Even in politics he maintained his principles. He advised ZAB to immediately go for re-elections, when his advice was not taken, he preferred to resign. He led an honest, straight life with no misuse of authority, power or perks.
Kaptaan-II is also a chip of the same block but his real political innings have just started. Politics in our times is dirty business, full of “doh numbers”. In order to deliver Kaptaan-II will have to deal with the team and their entrapments. There has to be insulation from evil influences. His credibility will be repeatedly put to the test as long as the “doh numbers” surround him; that is why Kaptaan-I kept away from them.
Pakistan has not been blessed with too many Kaptaans. Some came close but lost their path. Wasim Akram had an opportunity to win laurels for his country but it was not to be. The father of the nation rightly said: knowledge without character; worship without sacrifice; politics without principles; leadership without integrity; will destroy us.
It is all about character, sacrifice, principles and integrity. The nation is looking at the ‘Kaptaan’ to deliver. Imran eleven has to play an important innings for Pakistan. Team selection has to be meticulously done based on merit and political standing. Cosmetic surgery can only alter the outer appearance; it cannot even touch the nature of the individuals who have risen through the murky waters of the manipulated politics of the 80s and 90s. Kaptaan-I lived through tumultuous times (Jan 17, 1925 to April 21, 1996), but played a captain’s knock for his new born nation. Kaptaan-II has to play his political innings; I am sure the life and times of Kaptaan-I can guide him. Good luck Kaptaan, the nation’s eyes are focused on you.