Sarfraz Nawaz is a person radically different from his contemporaries. He possesses the multi-dimensional traits of a cricketer, a politician, a writer, critic, commentator, a cricket coach and above all a `friend of friends'. While many players of international fame retired and disappeared from the scene, Sarfraz Nawaz did not, because he is not the type to become extinct by design. He has kept himself alive and active in different roles, most conspicuously in the hearts of his fans and the gossips of cricket fraternity. A man of tremendous energy and vigor, he has invariably carried on his shoulders, one mantle or the other.

Sarfraz loves to remain in the news, may it be as a commentator, critic, a specialist of the game or a political activist. Scores of people consider him a `controversial figure', a title which needs to be viewed in the perspective of a society badly deficient of people who are upright, blunt and bold enough to speak the truth. At least he is the one who speaks so at the top of his voice, a memorable example being his harsh criticism of Imran Khan, his closest friend of cricket's golden era, when the former skipper confessed having indulged in ball tampering. Fighting for the right cause is his forte irrespective of the consequences. As a newly elected member of the Provincial Assembly he became a political victim of his own party, for raising his voice against something, which he considered unfair. As a consequence he had to abandon the party and join the opposition.

For some remarkable achievements in the field of cricket, Sarfraz Nawaz will be remembered for all times to come. Born in Lahore on December 1, 1948 Sarfraz made his test debut against England at Karachi in 1968-69. This was the period when Pakistan did not have a fearsome pace attack. Asif Masood was the leading bowler with no partner worth the name. Sarfraz joined him and as the time passed he displayed exceptional skill in the use of red cherry that raised him to the status of a super star. Teamed up with Imran Khan during the later years, he became a lethal weapon for the opposing batsmen. Due to hard work and his ability to browbeat the best of batsmen he achieved enviable success in English county cricket. While his compatriots relied more on speed, he hit the bull following the principles of accuracy and effectiveness.

`Line and Length' is a phrase commonly used in the context of pace bowling and I am fully convinced that Sarfraz was perhaps the greatest exponent of this theory. It was the superb application of this art that caused a rout of the Australian team in the 1st Test at Melbourne in March 1979. His 9 wickets haul in the 2nd innings caused a sensation. Besides making an indelible mark on the cricket lovers all over the world, the highly exciting contest carved its place in the annals of cricket on account of a splendid bowling performance by Sarfraz Nawaz.

This historical encounter commenced with a low scoring 1st innings in which Pakistan scored 196 runs and got the Australians out for 168 runs only, gaining a lead of 28 runs. In the 2nd innings Pakistan, however, managed to pile up 353 runs with the help of a magnificent century (108) by Majid Khan. The Aussies were thus set on a victory target of 382 runs. They started with a bang with the 4th wicket partnership between Allan Border (105) and Kim Hughes (84) raising the side to just 75 runs short of the target with 7 wickets in hand.

With an impressive total on the scoreboard and the two batsmen in full cry, the Aussies were fully confident of achieving the triumph. Their hopes were dashed to ground when Sarfraz Nawaz struck like lightening. He demolished the Aussies 2nd innings by sending 7 of their batsmen back to the pavilion within a magical span of only one run.

The fiery spell kept thousands of spectators at the MCG and millions viewing the match on the television absolutely spellbound. The spectacle of wickets tumbling like ninepins must be the most sensational spell by any bowler in the history of cricket. The devastation commenced when Sarfraz ousted both Border and Hughes without any addition to the score. With half the side intact the Aussies still had their chance but to their horror, those who took the crease to stem the rot collapsed in quick succession bringing doom to the side. Among the last five players Whatmore was the only one to steal some runs off other bowlers while Sleep, Clark, Hogg and Hurst only took the trouble of taking the guard and returning to the pavilion with a duck each.

In a fairy tale end of the match, Australia tumbled from a rosy 305 for 3 to 310 all out. Sarfraz clinched 9 wickets for 86 runs in the innings finishing the match with a marvelous haul of 11 for 125. With an electrifying demonstration of line and length the burly pacer was instrumental in turning the tables on the Australians and snatching a splendid 71 runs victory for Pakistan, almost from the jaws of defeat. Incidentally it was Pakistan's 100th Test match and there could not be a better gift from a player to his team and the country on this auspicious occasion.

A specialist in the knack of creating impact, Sarfraz can sway people with his acts, antics and rhetorics. His press statements or other scenes created by him draw headlines. I remember the storm that erupted when he was left out of the Pakistan team touring India in 1979 for not having participated in domestic cricket. The cricket fans attributed the team's poor performance on the tour to the absence of Sarfraz from the side. It was his massive popularity that prompted the press and the people to stand up in unison and demand for sending him to India to reinforce the team.

Sarfraz is different from his contemporaries in many ways. He is not a miser like some other super stars, who do not even offer you a cup of tea when you visit them. Sarfraz lives and behaves like an aristocrat. He is fond of spending money on himself as well as on others. His entry in politics enlarged his already vast circle of friends making parties, dinners and other social gatherings at his residence a common feature. Even after 15 years of retirement from cricket he continues to maintain his popularity. It is thus not uncommon to find him surrounded by people for a gossip or by the groups of young people for autograph.

Sarfraz is one of the few players who bid farewell to the game at the most appropriate time. While many players lingered on to the game for the sake of money or fame, Sarfraz chose to retire when he was still in good shape. He had always been a symbol of physical fitness. During my visits to London, on many occasions I accompanied him to Regent Park, where he exercised and jogged for hours.

It was sometimes in 1984-85, when during a one day international he expressed his intention to call it a day. I casually suggested to him to stay for some time more because I thought he was still useful for the team. Turning down my suggestion he very curtly said, "I would prefer to quit the game before my ball reaches the wicket keeper with a double bounce". This showed his sincerity with the game as well as with his own self. Sarfraz thus retired from cricket with good grace after having captured 177 wickets in 55 Tests matches and 63 in 45 one-day internationals.

Vocal in his expressions and fostering the habit of calling a spade a spade, he is dubbed by many people as a `controversial figure' He is currently embroiled in a conflict with Rameez Raja, a player far junior to him but now a member of the PCB Advisory Council. Sarfraz is said to have accused Raja of favoritism, nepotism and corruption while Raja has in turn filed a legal suit for defamation against him.

Though Sarfraz retired from playing cricket, he continued to maintain his association with the game in one capacity or the other. Having been a distinguished pace bowler of his times, he is often called upon by the PCB to hold coaching camps for upcoming youngsters and train them in the art of pace bowling, with special emphasis on maintaining the right `line and length'.

Sarfraz also had strained relations with Cricketers Benefit Fund Society (CBFS) Sharjah since its inception. The differences having settled, Sarfraz has been nominated as one of the beneficiaries of the Sharjah Cup in April 2001. Irrespective of his image as `controversial' Sarfraz Nawaz is a man of some sterling qualities.

© CricInfo