Indo Pak Cricket ~ marriages and more !

Last month, Mohsin Khan resigned as head of Pakistan cricket committee.  Pak press reported that Mohsin Khan had been making several public statements on television, at times putting the PCB in awkward positions. The PCB, within a few weeks of his appointment, found themselves having second thoughts after comments of him speaking unflatteringly of head coach Mickey Arthur emerged. He had also openly questioned the appointment of Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain across formats, leading to the PCB putting a gag order on his public comments.During this span, he headed three meetings but failed to develop a consensus on any outstanding cricketing issue. With Pakistan performing below expectations in the World Cup, the PCB had assigned the committee to oversee the performance of the national coaching staff and the team, expected to lead to an extensive revamp in the coaching set up.

Remember Mohsin Khan touring India, opening the batting for Pakis. In 1983 Series at Jalandhar, India, more prominently AnshumanGaekwad grinded his way to a double ton .. and Mohsin Khan would have felt frustrated for he had been dismissed for a first ball duck off Kapil Dev.

In our school days, ‘Neeya’ starring Sripriya was a hit – later read that it was DevathalaraDeevinchandi in Telegu with Jayamalini, Naagini in Kannada with Geetha – all remakes of Nagin, Hindi which itself was inspired by François Truffaut's French film The Bride Wore Black which was based on Cornell Woolrich's novel of the same name.  Nagin released in 1976 was a thriller produced and directed by Rajkumar Kohli under the Shankar Movies banner. Its cast included Sunil Dutt, Reena Roy, Jeetendra,  KabirBedi in the lead roles to  music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Reena Roy received widespread attention and popularity ~ she was to marry Mohsin Khan and quit cinema.

Mohsin Hasan Khan played 48 Tests and 75 ODIs from 1977 to 1986  becoming a coach and selector.  Reena Roy was born Saira Ali, the third daughter of Sadiq Ali, a small-time actor – years later, their marriage broke down !

Away in Pakistan,  Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting on gas tariff for tandoors and prices of roti and naan, expressing displeasure over the increase in their rates. He directed reverting the prices of roti and naan to the previous level.Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister took strict notice of the increase in the price of bread and directed raising the issue in the ECC meeting. He said the government was taking special measures to reverse the price of bread, keeping in view the factors responsible for the increase.Awan told journalists after the cabinet meeting that the federal cabinet had deliberations on how to improve the lives of common people, including providing free legal aid to the underprivileged prisoners languishing in jails. She said the prime minister directed the ministries to give proposals for facilitating the common people.

Awan said the cabinet expressed commitment to continue efforts to widen the tax net while appreciating the measures taken by the Federal Board of Revenue in this regard and increasing the number of tax filers.About JUI-F chief MaulanaFazlurRehman’s threat to the government, she alleged he was fulfilling his personal agenda in the garb of religion. She said seminary reforms were introduced to impart modern education along with religious education to seminary students. She claimed that with the passage of time, MaulanaFazl would lose support.

Pakistan star bowler Hasan Ali is reportedly tying the knot with an Indian girl, media reports state.  Pak media reported that according to  close family sources of the cricketer, Hasan's 'Nikah' ceremony  is expected to be held on August 20 at a Dubai hotel while his rukhsati will take place sometime in 2020. "Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali is set to tie the knot with an Indian girl ShamiaArzoo on August 20. Shamia belongs to Haryana and is currently working with an airline," a journalist  tweeted.According to sources, the Pakistani pacer fell in love with India's ShamiaArzoo during the ICC World Cup 2019. It is reported that Arzoo is an engineer by profession working currently in Dubai.

With his matrimonial union, Hasan Ali will become the fourth Pakistani cricketer to marry an Indian girl. Prior to this, Shoaib Malik married Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza  batsmen Zaheer Abbas and Mohsin Khan also tied the knot with women belonging to India.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

31.7.2019.