Passion for cricket runs in Masood’s sports-loving family

Mansoor Masood Khan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. — KT photo

It is a continuous process as Shan Masood, the son of Mansoor, made Test debut for Pakistan in Abu Dhabi against South Africa, scored 75 runs and played a part in his team’s victory.

Mansoor, a professional banker, has watched Pakistan team playing in all the countries (West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and India).

“I have been following cricket since my childhood and our team have been performing in the same manner. The equation may change a little bit but most of the time they will win the most difficult matches and lose easy ones.

“My father was an avid cricket fan and he used to say that ‘I am the witness of this phenomenon since 1952 and Pakistan team is not going to change’.

“Despite having no international cricket in Pakistan and facing a myriad of problems, Pakistan is doing really well. It is the great resilience shown by the team.

“Pakistan team can be compared with the country itself. Pakistan is facing a lot of problems domestically and internationally but it has withstood all the storms.

“Pakistan has talent and the game has a great future in the country.”

The family has a great bondage with sports and Shan’s entry into international cricket is a proof of that. While talking about his son Shan’s cricketing future, Mansoor said: “Shan has talent and passion to play the game.

“There are many talented young cricketers who fail to continue cricket because of their studies. We as parents have tried our best to let Shan harness his talent. We have provided him chance to play and at the same time study as well.

“We put him in a boarding school in United Kingdom which helped him play and improve as a player.

“He has twin goal ahead and it will not be easy for him. He has already sacrificed a lot as whenever we went on vacation he couldn’t join us because of cricket.

“He is a very good student and has always achieved straight As in studies. But as far as his career is concerned, there is a long long way to go. He has to work very hard to cement his place in the team and then carry on.”

Mansoor has played hockey at provincial level and has seen ups and downs in cricket. He has witnessed Pakistan playing best and worst cricket.

“I can’t forget 1996 World Cup quarter-final between India and Pakistan in Bangalore. Pakistan bowled well in the early part of the innings but in the end gave away too many runs. In reply, Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail provided Pakistan a massive start but we failed to win the match.

“Those were unbelievable scenes as Indians were over the moon after that historic victory.

“I was also there in Bangalore in 2005 when Pakistan scored an unlikely Test victory over India under Inzamamul Haq’s captaincy.

“Victories and defeats are part and parcel of the game and we should accept it with open heart.”

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com