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Wounded Tiger: A History of Cricket in Pakistan
THE WISDEN BOOK OF THE YEAR and THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS CRICKET BOOK OF THE YEAR.
'The most complete, best researched, roses-and-thorns history of cricket in Pakistan' Independent
'As good as it's likely to get' Guardian
The nation of Pakistan was born out of the trauma of Partition from India in 1947. Its cricket team evolved in the chaotic aftermath. Initially unrecognised, underfunded and weak, Pakistan's team grew to become a major force in world cricket . Since the early days of the Raj, cricket has been entwined with national identity and Pakistan's successes helped to define its status in the world. Defiant in defence, irresistible in attack, players such as A.H.Kardar, Fazal Mahmood, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan awed their contemporaries and inspired their successors.
The story of Pakistan cricket is filled with triumph and tragedy. In recent years, it has been threatened by the same problems affecting Pakistan fallout from the 'war on terror', sectarian violence, corruption, crises in health and education, and a shortage of effective leaders. For twenty years, Pakistan cricket has been stained by the scandalous behaviour of the players involved in match-fixing. After 2009, the fear of violence drove Pakistan's international cricket into exile.
But Peter Oborne's narrative is also full of hope. For all its troubles, cricket gives all Pakistanis a chance to excel and express themselves, a sense of identity and a cause for pride in their country. Packed with first-hand recollections, and digging deep into political, social and cultural history, Wounded Tiger is a major study of sport and nationhood.
'The most complete, best researched, roses-and-thorns history of cricket in Pakistan' Independent
'As good as it's likely to get' Guardian
The nation of Pakistan was born out of the trauma of Partition from India in 1947. Its cricket team evolved in the chaotic aftermath. Initially unrecognised, underfunded and weak, Pakistan's team grew to become a major force in world cricket . Since the early days of the Raj, cricket has been entwined with national identity and Pakistan's successes helped to define its status in the world. Defiant in defence, irresistible in attack, players such as A.H.Kardar, Fazal Mahmood, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan awed their contemporaries and inspired their successors.
The story of Pakistan cricket is filled with triumph and tragedy. In recent years, it has been threatened by the same problems affecting Pakistan fallout from the 'war on terror', sectarian violence, corruption, crises in health and education, and a shortage of effective leaders. For twenty years, Pakistan cricket has been stained by the scandalous behaviour of the players involved in match-fixing. After 2009, the fear of violence drove Pakistan's international cricket into exile.
But Peter Oborne's narrative is also full of hope. For all its troubles, cricket gives all Pakistanis a chance to excel and express themselves, a sense of identity and a cause for pride in their country. Packed with first-hand recollections, and digging deep into political, social and cultural history, Wounded Tiger is a major study of sport and nationhood.
635 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 12, 2020
Far more nuanced than just a chronological account of events and statistics, Wounded Tiger is not your quintessential sporting chronicle. It appeals (pun intended) as much to cricket lovers as it does to sociologists, historians, and political enthusiasts. Peter Oborne provides a brilliant outsider’s perspective to the volatile cauldron that has been, and still is, Pakistan cricket. As a cricket-lover for whom Imran Khan lifting the ’92 world cup is one the earliest memories of the game, I was always going to strap in for Oborne’s ride. As it turned out, it took me (surprisingly) all the way back to the mid 1800s, when the seeds of Pakistan cricket, against all odds, were sown under the British Raj. What followed was a captivating tale of how cricket first emerged from the rubble of Indo-Pak partition and civil war (1947), and repeatedly re-emerged as a beacon of hope despite military coups, corruption, in-fighting, match-fixing, and (most recently) domestic terrorism. In the end, the book is as much a story of Pakistan as it is of its cricket. It is a wonderful illustration of how cricket, politics, and hope are intertwined in this fascinating country, and have been united in both glory and (sadly) demise. It has left a stronger-than-before urge in me to, one day, get on that famous Amritsar-to-Lahore bus to visit our (as my grandfather who constantly used to remind me) next-of-kin.
November 29, 2014
Peter has managed the impossible, somehow presenting mundane cricketing facts as a Scheherazade tale. From its modest beginnings, cricket in Pakistan has managed to become the defining feature for the nation. Most Pakistanis identify with cricket and live by it. But most don't know the intricate history of the game in Pakistan which somehow dampens the enthusiasm for the game. With this publication of this great book this glaring anomaly has finally been patched. Not only did the book cover all of the cricketing facts, but also personal profile of cricketers and the many controversies plaguing the much followed game.
The best aspect of the book for me the way Peter has juxtaposed Pakistan's cricketing prowess with the various political changes, from an insecure and cautious beginning to a team ruthless tigers, desperate to prove their mantle.
The end of the book was like a end of a classic movie, with the portrayal of the last days of the great Kardar , Fazal Mahmood, justice Cornelius and Hanif Mohammad.
Fantastic effort.
The best aspect of the book for me the way Peter has juxtaposed Pakistan's cricketing prowess with the various political changes, from an insecure and cautious beginning to a team ruthless tigers, desperate to prove their mantle.
The end of the book was like a end of a classic movie, with the portrayal of the last days of the great Kardar , Fazal Mahmood, justice Cornelius and Hanif Mohammad.
Fantastic effort.
January 27, 2016
Finally finished reading Wounded Tiger by Peter Oborne. Mind is blown by the fighting spirit of Pak Cricket right from the start till date. Felt so good reading about Hanif Mohammad, Kardar, Imran Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq (the cricketer i admire the most after Dhoni).The part where they win their first test at Lord's, Hanif Mohammad's 337 against WI, attack on Sri Lankan team gave goosebumps. But my biggest problem with the book has to be that it dealt more with Politics than Cricket. Tape ball cricket got so little attention. Which makes sense because the author is a political correspondent but focus more on Cricket maybe? Overall a good albeit a bit tough read.
October 21, 2021
This was truly a riveting read. The author has done immense research which is evident in the numerous factoids and other bits of information strewn about. Though I found the immense amount of footnotes annoying at times, I did appreciate the amount of interviews collected and the reliance on archival information which together makes for a very informative and credible reading experience. The writing style however is what truly gripped me. The book was immensely enjoyable because of its narrative format and it’s clear the author is a fan of the subject matter and the numerous personalities involved but somehow manages to be objective and present both sides of a story. I cannot recommend this enough to any cricket fan.
March 2, 2015
this book is very detailed history of cricket in Pakistan it is both a strength and weakness with the book but overall did learn a lot about the game in country after partition in 1947 and the gradual growth of the game and the challenging atmosphere of current Pakistan
December 29, 2014
When it comes to history books, I'm a bit of an anorak. When it comes to cricket books, I'm more of a Parkha with all the furry trimmings. So a huge tome which sets itself out as a historical cricket book was almost more exciting than was containable - and at times, this book did indeed soar to the sort of heights that I was hoping it would reach. But then the next minute, it would bring the flying reader crashing down to earth with a sickening bang. For every bit of literary brilliance in this book - and there were many- there was a completely gauche moment which annoyed, frustrated and disappointed in equal measure.
This book is what it says on the tin- a history of cricket in Pakistan. That is its strength - there's barely a run, a dot ball or a nervous tap on the crease between balls that isn't recorded in this sumptuous tome. But this is also one of its many weaknesses - there is almost TOO much detail in the book - and not enough analysis of what is behind the detail.
The constant footnotes are annoying and frustrating - they cut across the rhythm of reading, often adding little if anything to the narrative. And when the footnote is important - then why not just include it in the main narrative? And the extensive bibliographical references are equally as frustrating...
...as are the countless obvious factual mistakes eg. the record fourth wicket partnership CANNOT have started when the score was 99-4, and the Etonian cricketer surely didn't play for Harrow against Eton - and these are just a couple of examples - if there were obvious ones, how many not so apparent mistakes were contained within the book?
But this mixture of poor editing and research/ knowledge apart, there were far more worrying flaws to this book. Mr Oborne is fairly well known for his polarised views on any number of contemporary political situations - he has written copiously on how Muslims are misperceived by elements of the "Western" press - but he allows his prejudices to completely cloud his judgement throughout this book. He constantly cries foul against (mainly the English) press, saying that they keep calling the Pakistanis cheats. Then he spends a sizeable chunk of his book describing how Pakistani umpires, and then Pakistani players, have been found guilty of cheating not only by objective external bodies, but also by a series of enquiries, courts and legal processes from within Pakistan itself. His complete and abject failure to see the massive self contradiction in his own words do this book a great injustice.
He states that the Pakistani culture is a different culture to many of the other test playing nations - but then fails to carry on properly with analyzing this statement, relying instead on yet another un-illustrated hyperbolic generalization to try and make his point. he misses a huge trick here - for those of us who have played, done business, socialized and got to know south east Asians over the years, these different ethical approaches to sport from very different cultures are not that difficult to piece together and understand. But its a piecing together that Mr Oborne fails to make through either laziness, ignorance or unwillingness. And its a shame, because the exercise is a very constructive and worthwhile one, and ends up in a situation where different cultures, by understanding each other , can come to some sort of compromise in many situations. A lesson that could go way beyond cricket and sport if people really wanted to learn it....
I also have to question Mr Oborne's passions and motivations towards his core subject - how much of a cricket fan is he really? Many of my cricketing heroes have been Pakistanis, all of whom are mentioned in this book. But Mr oborne doesn't appear to show any appreciation for Majid Khan's languid but deadly batting style, Zaheer Abbas' ability to thread a ball through the eye of a needle lying in the covers with a deft adjustment of the wrist, or Javed Miandad's adaptibility from marathon test innings to match turning attacking cameos, dispatching the ball to four quarters of the ground, on or over the grass as the mood took him.
Nor does he fully appreciate the art and science of some of the world's most fearsome fast bowlers - Imran, Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib. I once told the story of having to open the batting against Shoaib in a test match in Lahore, with dusk starting to settle in, an excitable crowd roaring the Rawalpindi Express on, a lively track, millions of bugs in the dusty, warm air and above it all the call to prayers coming from all parts of the city. I don't suppose facing Dennis Lillee in his pomp at the Sydney Cricket Ground was much of a picnic either, but the player who described facing Shoaib to me still had terror in his eyes telling the story many years on....
It is that sort of colour - a situation unique to cricket in Pakistan - which the book lacked. Whilst the facts and figures and the historical narrative of the development of cricket in Pakistan certainly stood up to scrutiny, the whole piece lacked soul as far as I was concerned.
I'm very glad I read it, it's given me a context which I didn't previously have on many of my favourite cricketers, as well as being an illuminating and rewarding historical expose. But I can't help thinking that a chance or two was missed to have written a really significant book here.
This book is what it says on the tin- a history of cricket in Pakistan. That is its strength - there's barely a run, a dot ball or a nervous tap on the crease between balls that isn't recorded in this sumptuous tome. But this is also one of its many weaknesses - there is almost TOO much detail in the book - and not enough analysis of what is behind the detail.
The constant footnotes are annoying and frustrating - they cut across the rhythm of reading, often adding little if anything to the narrative. And when the footnote is important - then why not just include it in the main narrative? And the extensive bibliographical references are equally as frustrating...
...as are the countless obvious factual mistakes eg. the record fourth wicket partnership CANNOT have started when the score was 99-4, and the Etonian cricketer surely didn't play for Harrow against Eton - and these are just a couple of examples - if there were obvious ones, how many not so apparent mistakes were contained within the book?
But this mixture of poor editing and research/ knowledge apart, there were far more worrying flaws to this book. Mr Oborne is fairly well known for his polarised views on any number of contemporary political situations - he has written copiously on how Muslims are misperceived by elements of the "Western" press - but he allows his prejudices to completely cloud his judgement throughout this book. He constantly cries foul against (mainly the English) press, saying that they keep calling the Pakistanis cheats. Then he spends a sizeable chunk of his book describing how Pakistani umpires, and then Pakistani players, have been found guilty of cheating not only by objective external bodies, but also by a series of enquiries, courts and legal processes from within Pakistan itself. His complete and abject failure to see the massive self contradiction in his own words do this book a great injustice.
He states that the Pakistani culture is a different culture to many of the other test playing nations - but then fails to carry on properly with analyzing this statement, relying instead on yet another un-illustrated hyperbolic generalization to try and make his point. he misses a huge trick here - for those of us who have played, done business, socialized and got to know south east Asians over the years, these different ethical approaches to sport from very different cultures are not that difficult to piece together and understand. But its a piecing together that Mr Oborne fails to make through either laziness, ignorance or unwillingness. And its a shame, because the exercise is a very constructive and worthwhile one, and ends up in a situation where different cultures, by understanding each other , can come to some sort of compromise in many situations. A lesson that could go way beyond cricket and sport if people really wanted to learn it....
I also have to question Mr Oborne's passions and motivations towards his core subject - how much of a cricket fan is he really? Many of my cricketing heroes have been Pakistanis, all of whom are mentioned in this book. But Mr oborne doesn't appear to show any appreciation for Majid Khan's languid but deadly batting style, Zaheer Abbas' ability to thread a ball through the eye of a needle lying in the covers with a deft adjustment of the wrist, or Javed Miandad's adaptibility from marathon test innings to match turning attacking cameos, dispatching the ball to four quarters of the ground, on or over the grass as the mood took him.
Nor does he fully appreciate the art and science of some of the world's most fearsome fast bowlers - Imran, Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib. I once told the story of having to open the batting against Shoaib in a test match in Lahore, with dusk starting to settle in, an excitable crowd roaring the Rawalpindi Express on, a lively track, millions of bugs in the dusty, warm air and above it all the call to prayers coming from all parts of the city. I don't suppose facing Dennis Lillee in his pomp at the Sydney Cricket Ground was much of a picnic either, but the player who described facing Shoaib to me still had terror in his eyes telling the story many years on....
It is that sort of colour - a situation unique to cricket in Pakistan - which the book lacked. Whilst the facts and figures and the historical narrative of the development of cricket in Pakistan certainly stood up to scrutiny, the whole piece lacked soul as far as I was concerned.
I'm very glad I read it, it's given me a context which I didn't previously have on many of my favourite cricketers, as well as being an illuminating and rewarding historical expose. But I can't help thinking that a chance or two was missed to have written a really significant book here.
February 25, 2015
An engaging account of the Pakistan Cricket. Oborne has put great effort in writing this book. The beauty of this book is that he focuses more on the early days of Pakistan Cricket. He brings to discussion the forgotten chapters of Pakistan Cricket.
A great effort though a lot of things need further explanation.
(He should also write a sequel of his wonderful odyssey after the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq. :P)
A great effort though a lot of things need further explanation.
(He should also write a sequel of his wonderful odyssey after the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq. :P)
March 12, 2021
Wonderful book...with a telling title
So true..wounded tiger. Such great players of the game ruined by the politics of this troubled country.
Only wish it didn't hv so many minute details...
It was like missing the woods t or the trees.
So true..wounded tiger. Such great players of the game ruined by the politics of this troubled country.
Only wish it didn't hv so many minute details...
It was like missing the woods t or the trees.
January 1, 2025
It took a while to get going but this well-researched history was selective in its focus and managed to pack a lot in without becoming a monumental task to finish. Oborne's political journalist background was apparent in both its readable style and sociopolitical asides, and only the former was a positive.
As with so many sporting histories I found the more recent history to be easier to digest, and also more interesting. In this case, however, it was also authorial style, as Oborne clunkily attempted to keep the main prose pacy by including additional material in the footnotes. This was mercifully cut back in the second half but a short biography on lots of old figures at the bottom of the page meant that the first part of the book was slow progress, and being unfamiliar with the older names, it mostly went over my head. The choice made sense stylistically as it allowed information to be included in short bursts without the surrounding prose to make it longer still, but there were times when it felt like the author couldn't let research go to waste.
Oborne had conducted interviews with many key figures as well as consulting written sources, and this did give his book merit beyond repackaging existing writing. The aim of the book seemed to be to put forward a defence of Pakistan cricket against Indian characterisation, as well as merely setting out the facts, and a few personal opinions were jarringly overt - calling a West Indies pace bowler 'evil' for his bowling and enjoying the digs at unsuccessful socialist politicians while praising the stability of family, or nepotistic, rule. There was at least mention of the USA supporting military coups over democratically elected leaders, although his acknowledgment of current inequality being a problem didn't seem to fit with the rest of his politics. No history can be free of bias, but it can be a bit less obvious than this one.
The political slant did mean that the social aspects were covered, such as family dynasties, the ethnic make-up of different parts of the country, and the fact that 'Pakistan' didn't exist until the 1930s. This provided useful context, and mercifully he didn't try to apply regional personality traits onto the style of cricket, instead being keener to talk about the terrain or weather when it came to the way players' skills developed.
One curious thing was the decision to almost ignore Twenty20 cricket entirely, including the time Pakistan were world champions, or any mention of it being accomodated into the domestic structure. The only time it was covered is in the context of the IPL, and Pakistan cricketers being unable to earn the biggest money, and post-publication is now leading to players avoiding international matches to play in leagues elsewhere. This was a history, but the interesting chapter on money now looks incredibly out of date.
If the footnotes had kept on at the same rate this would have been a frustrating read but it mercifully found its groove later on, while keeping to the main figures to link eras and being economical with its choice of scores and results. The personal politics and opinions (including the slightly pompous coverage of match-fixers betraying the country and the sport) could have been toned down a touch more but I took a lot from this.
As with so many sporting histories I found the more recent history to be easier to digest, and also more interesting. In this case, however, it was also authorial style, as Oborne clunkily attempted to keep the main prose pacy by including additional material in the footnotes. This was mercifully cut back in the second half but a short biography on lots of old figures at the bottom of the page meant that the first part of the book was slow progress, and being unfamiliar with the older names, it mostly went over my head. The choice made sense stylistically as it allowed information to be included in short bursts without the surrounding prose to make it longer still, but there were times when it felt like the author couldn't let research go to waste.
Oborne had conducted interviews with many key figures as well as consulting written sources, and this did give his book merit beyond repackaging existing writing. The aim of the book seemed to be to put forward a defence of Pakistan cricket against Indian characterisation, as well as merely setting out the facts, and a few personal opinions were jarringly overt - calling a West Indies pace bowler 'evil' for his bowling and enjoying the digs at unsuccessful socialist politicians while praising the stability of family, or nepotistic, rule. There was at least mention of the USA supporting military coups over democratically elected leaders, although his acknowledgment of current inequality being a problem didn't seem to fit with the rest of his politics. No history can be free of bias, but it can be a bit less obvious than this one.
The political slant did mean that the social aspects were covered, such as family dynasties, the ethnic make-up of different parts of the country, and the fact that 'Pakistan' didn't exist until the 1930s. This provided useful context, and mercifully he didn't try to apply regional personality traits onto the style of cricket, instead being keener to talk about the terrain or weather when it came to the way players' skills developed.
One curious thing was the decision to almost ignore Twenty20 cricket entirely, including the time Pakistan were world champions, or any mention of it being accomodated into the domestic structure. The only time it was covered is in the context of the IPL, and Pakistan cricketers being unable to earn the biggest money, and post-publication is now leading to players avoiding international matches to play in leagues elsewhere. This was a history, but the interesting chapter on money now looks incredibly out of date.
If the footnotes had kept on at the same rate this would have been a frustrating read but it mercifully found its groove later on, while keeping to the main figures to link eras and being economical with its choice of scores and results. The personal politics and opinions (including the slightly pompous coverage of match-fixers betraying the country and the sport) could have been toned down a touch more but I took a lot from this.
March 12, 2025
I started reading this because I am a great cricket fan and it was passed onto me by the brother of the author. Daunted a little by the number of pages, I thought that I would skim read most of it and linger a little over the bits more familiar to me - the great Pakistani cricketers of my youth: Intikhab Alam, Asif Iqbal, Zaheer Abbas and the like. I was, however, quickly engrossed in this fascinating account of cricket in Pakistan, from pre-Partition days to the difficult times of the recent past.
Peter Oborne is a skilled professional writer and political commentator but this book goes beyond a mere passing interest - it is written with a deep knowledge, understanding and love of both the game and the country. It traces the history, sociology, geography and deep rooted politics in the development of the game in Pakistan whilst holding the interest, particularly when describing the key personalities, both on and off the field.
It covers some of the more controversial subjects, surrounding Partition, political influence, bribery and corruption, with objectivity and dispels some of myths and prejudices surrounding the National team, invariably perpetuated by the gentlemen (sic) of the Press.
Having played a little cricket in the Indian subcontinent myself, the descriptions of street cricket, tape balls and the Gymkhana clubs are instantly recognisable.
An excellent work, written with a clear passion for the game and respect for the people of Pakistan.
Peter Oborne is a skilled professional writer and political commentator but this book goes beyond a mere passing interest - it is written with a deep knowledge, understanding and love of both the game and the country. It traces the history, sociology, geography and deep rooted politics in the development of the game in Pakistan whilst holding the interest, particularly when describing the key personalities, both on and off the field.
It covers some of the more controversial subjects, surrounding Partition, political influence, bribery and corruption, with objectivity and dispels some of myths and prejudices surrounding the National team, invariably perpetuated by the gentlemen (sic) of the Press.
Having played a little cricket in the Indian subcontinent myself, the descriptions of street cricket, tape balls and the Gymkhana clubs are instantly recognisable.
An excellent work, written with a clear passion for the game and respect for the people of Pakistan.
May 10, 2021
3.5/5 A history of cricket in Pakistan - right from the days of the Raj to 2013/14. As a 90s kid I loved the bowling of the Pakistani team and Wasim Akram remains my all-time fav cricketer to date. So reading on Pakistan cricket has been a joy and this was my second book on Pak cricket history - after ‘The Unquiet Ones’ by Osman Samiuddin which was a 5/5.
This book also tracks the history/politics of Pak to give a well-rounded explanation of the way things were in Pak cricket. Sometimes I just skipped those parts. Other than that it was an enjoyable read.
PS:- Food for thought - Even when South Africa agreed to send mixed-race cricket teams, Kardar refused to revoke the ban on SAF, saying that there can be no discrimination based on colour, caste or creed in a country. It was a matter greater than cricket.
Is discrimination based on religion acceptable ? Leave alone Pak for a minute, countries like Kuwait allow citizenship only to Muslims.
This book also tracks the history/politics of Pak to give a well-rounded explanation of the way things were in Pak cricket. Sometimes I just skipped those parts. Other than that it was an enjoyable read.
PS:- Food for thought - Even when South Africa agreed to send mixed-race cricket teams, Kardar refused to revoke the ban on SAF, saying that there can be no discrimination based on colour, caste or creed in a country. It was a matter greater than cricket.
Is discrimination based on religion acceptable ? Leave alone Pak for a minute, countries like Kuwait allow citizenship only to Muslims.
July 1, 2017
This book is so much more than a history of cricket in Pakistan. It is a history of empire and partition, of democracy and authoritarianism. Oborne's love of cricket and of Pakistan is self evident in this mighty tome and is dealt with fairly, without fear or favour (although some English cricket captains come in for some unnecessary criticism in my opinion). My view of Pakistan before I read this book was of a country barely surviving in a world of corruption, terrorism and fundamentalists. The love of Pakistan and its cricket which shines through from the author has tempered my criticism and has introduced me to a country which may be more beautiful than the initial viewing may suggest.
August 20, 2021
A fascinating book that not only records the history of Pakistan cricket, but also gives a great insight into the formation and continual political and social changes and struggles of the country as well.
August 2, 2020
surely one of the best books to do with sport ever written
March 23, 2017
Deeply researched and masterly account on Pakistan Cricket. Must Read for any cricket enthusiast!
July 4, 2016
This is a well researched book in which the author goes back into history and matches the start of the game in England with its origins in the sub continent. The sections dealing with cricket in the sub continent before Independence are fascinating and so are the chapters detailing Pakistan's initial cricketing years. The initial heroes such as Kardar, Fazal, Hanif etc are also well covered as are incidents such as the Idrees Baig controversy
Where the book lacks is treating major incidents of historical nature equally. For exam hole the Shakoor Rana incident is barely touched up. Pakistan's trump in the WC of 92 is not covered in as much detail as the Oval test victory over England. Maybe the author should have split his work in two volumes, one dealing with Pakistan cricket's early days and one covering more recent events
Overall still a great read for anyone wanting to read up on Pakistan cricket
Where the book lacks is treating major incidents of historical nature equally. For exam hole the Shakoor Rana incident is barely touched up. Pakistan's trump in the WC of 92 is not covered in as much detail as the Oval test victory over England. Maybe the author should have split his work in two volumes, one dealing with Pakistan cricket's early days and one covering more recent events
Overall still a great read for anyone wanting to read up on Pakistan cricket
February 21, 2015
Epic history of cricket in Pakistan very well written. Cricketing history combined with politics and society of Pakistan make it one of the truly great cricket books. Written without bias and understanding of Pakistan society the book eventually forces one to sympathise with Pakistan cricket fan & what they have gone through. However, book erroneously devotes a chapter on cricket in Kashmir with the chapter describing cricket culture in various Pakistan provinces this is my view is erroneous as cricket in Kashmir has no link whatsoever to cricket structure of Pakistan. Overall brilliant work!
April 9, 2017
If you love cricket & admire Pakistan Cricket... you will end up loving this book and the author. Peter Oborne's thoroughly well researched, articulate & passionate work is a masterpiece. I can go on and write praises but i will rather not, instead i strongly recommend this book. When a writer puts his heart in writing, the reader definitely feels it. Bravo..
August 7, 2015
Informative and entertaining, especially for South Asian cricket aficionados. Particularly enjoyable for me was reading about the influence of politics on every stage of evolution of cricket in Pakistan.
January 27, 2016
Fascinating and Inspring account of Fighting Spirit of Pakistani Cricket..
Loved the Chapter on Reverse Swing..
My Disappointment is Anti-India Bias of this Book.. Specially the Kashmir Section..
Very lazily researched and poorly Written..
Loved the Chapter on Reverse Swing..
My Disappointment is Anti-India Bias of this Book.. Specially the Kashmir Section..
Very lazily researched and poorly Written..
April 4, 2015
Brilliant book! Gives fascinating history of Pakistan cricket
February 16, 2016
An outstanding book. Extremely well researched and well written. Whether you are a fan of the Pakistan team or not this become definitely is a must read for all Cricket lovers.
January 28, 2015
An indispensable addition to the cricketing canon.
December 18, 2025
A captivating and engaging tale of Pakistani cricket!
A must-read for any cricket fan.
A must-read for any cricket fan.
August 28, 2015
Superb, if a little heavy on superfluous match descriptions.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews