Many many years ago when I was a child, our family was on the same flight as The Pakistani cricket captain and matinée idol Imran Khan. The air hostesses were swooning over him in his business class seat. Where we were in steerage we had a clear view of proceedings. All of the children in our family were gradually becoming incensed at the behavior, but mostly we were very annoyed by the gormless performance of his cricket team. In true Lord of the Flies tradition (as children do) we bullied our youngest sister to go up and read the riot act to him, she was all of 7 years of age. When she finally arrived at his seat (after much cajoling) she stood rooted to the spot, unable to speak and staring blankly ahead. He (presumably in a jet lagged haze) signed a napkin and abruptly invited her to be on her way. She returned, mortified and humiliated.
We told her that she must not stand for this offhand treatment and pushed her back to Business class. Much to her credit, the second time around she went up to him and delivered a blistering critique of him personally and 15 or so loafers that constituted the Pakistan cricket team, this all in front of a bevy of air hostess waiting to get a share of the great man.
That was Pakistan cricket in the 1970s and 80s. A picture in an Australian newspaper showed a prominent Pakistani batsmen in the practice nets, beer bottle in one hand, bat in the other, wearing a comically large Mexican hat, either fresh from a flogging or about to get one, from serious Australian cricketers. Islam and Pakistani cricket were strangers and as Muslims living in Australia we were embarrassed by their poor performances and off field antics.
In recent years this situation has changed. The team performs much better, but much more interestingly it has become more religious and much better behaved. The story of Pakistan cricket’s spiritual transformation is remarkable.
Saeed Anwar was Pakistan’s world class opening batsman throughout the 1990s, he still holds the world record for the highest score in a one day match (194). He was a national hero in Pakistan when his daughter Bismah died of typhoid in August 2001. It lead to a journey of self reflection that has changed Pakistan cricket. The shock of death of a healthy child in a family with all the trappings of cricketing wealth was life-changing for Anwar.
He became much more religious, he arrived at a match sporting a long beard (typical of conservative Muslims) and was unrecognizable to his teammates. however as the senior batsman his influence on younger players was profound, most notably the current Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq. When Pakistan toured Australia in 2005 I saw Inzamam at a charity dinner, as guest of honour he delivered what can only be described as a Khutbah (religious sermon) about the evanescence of temporal existence and the certainty of faith. He did not seem particularly interested in discussing cricket (here! here!) nor did he seem interested in the Pakistani groupies that tried to have their photo taken by sitting on his lap (offers that he politely declined).
The most profound effect has been on batsmen Yusuf Yuhana, a Christian, who is currently Pakistan’s leading run scorer. He converted to Islam in private some years ago under the influence (but not pressure) of his teammates. Now Mohammad Yusuf, he is considered to be the most particular about his religious duties within the team. In this profile of him in The Age newspaper he discusses his life.
10 comments ↓
Masha’Allah. Simple, very beautiful piece.
Some were at Hajj this year, Muhammad Yusuf’s was one of them alhumdulilah.
Interesting, but what are the implications for (say) the Indian team? That they should embrace fundamentalist Hinduism and encourage (“not force”) Muslim players to convert?
Yes, it’s probably a good thing that Pakistani cricketers take the game more seriously; no it isn’t a good thing if you’re implying that religion (or, worse, a particular religion) is the answer to sporting sccess.
What an absolutely ridiculous thing to say. First, why is it not a “good thing” to imply an increase in religious observance and spirituality has contributed to their success? Is it that abhorrent for people to improve in their lives as a result of being more religious? The fact is, these men are clearly taking their lives more seriously and the consequent discipline has enabled them to strive for and achieve greater professional success.
The real benefit in writing things down is that they are there, clear for people to read and understand.
I suppose my words could have a hidden or esoteric meaning or implication if they are read backward with a mirror, upside down or underwater, but lets assume that the words. as they are currently assembled mean what they say.
So for your final point,am I implying (not through words, but perhaps via the spaces between them) that Islam alone linked to sporting success, do you really think that deserves a response?
Your first point is that coercion or pressure has been used against him. Mohammad Yusuf has been playing for Pakistan since 1998 , and has been captain of Pakistan whilst still a Christian (notably in 2005 in Australia). There is also a Hindu in the team Danish Kaneria, who is very well regarded, and seems under no pressure to convert to hold his place or to advance his career.
If Indian Hindus wished to persuade their Muslim players to covert, they are most welcome to try. As Muslims, they should welcome a serious religious discussion.
In my experience it is impossible to force people to convert, nor is it possible to do so with discussion or with debate.
The other point that I wish to make is that Muslims in the west often wish converts to renounce their former lives, this is wrong and unnecessary, as this particular article demonstrates. Converts do go through immense discomfort with regards to their family and must be supported sympathetically and not be isolated from the family in a cult fashion.
Islam is not related to sporting success, but being English is defiantly linked to sporting failure.
My comment was prompted by the concern that the superstructure of (a) religion was being inappropriately bolted onto sport – which has its own life-affirming ethical system.
Taking ones life more seriously is a good thing, I agree. The means by which one does this, though, is merely a means. When we say ’sport is a religion in Australia’ we mean exactly that – it’s a means towards taking ones life more seriously. The attitude deserves the same respect as that of any other any other religious attitde.
I love it when people moan about having their attitudes treated with respect when their own thoughts on others’ are dripping with disdain. You seem disgusted that one would dare to associate spiritual religion with sport.
When people say “sport is a religion” is Australia, does that imply that it is in place of Christianity or Judaism or Islam?
It could be in place of another religion, yes. Australia is (thank god
) a pretty secular place. As I said, when we say ’sport is a religion’ we mean it. Frankly, I’m suspicious of the character of sportspeople who require the threat of hellfire to perform.
Look, I don’t really want to get into an argument (or further into an argument) but that is not what has happened.
Becoming religious is not the only reason that the team is doing better. This is a faithful catalogue of events that happened which hold some insights for Muslims and interested non-Muslim, but apparently not for you.
Frankly I am disturbed by people who see sport as “life affirming” and embarrass themselves by disclosing to the wider world, their fortune cookie philosophy.
Albert,
If an improvement in sporting performance follows an improvement or increase in a player’s religiousness, it is not necessarily caused by the fear of the hellfire or even the particular religion. It seems to me more likely that religion has simply allowed them to achieve a peace of mind that was otherwise lacking. Ergo, the improvement has been, at least in part, caused by this change rather than by the particularly ideological shift or whatever behind that peace of mind.
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