Up close and personal with Zainab Abbas
The sports journalist shares her experience covering the sport of cricket and all that it entails.
LAHORE (Raacikh Asghar) - For Pakistanis, cricket has been an integral part of their lives with many growing up with the ultimate dream of playing the sport in front of jam packed crowds. But for some the dream was different. For some, the enthusiastically ‘crazy’ ones, bringing a wider perspective to the game of cricket was the real deal. Traveling the world, interviewing experts, engaging with the legends of the game, both on and off the field, and covering the sport live for the people back home became their forte.
In life, very few people have the privilege to do what they love and love what they do. One such person is popular sports anchor and journalist, Zainab Abbas who not only achieved her dreams while on tour in England, but seemingly had a part to play in Pakistan’s eventual triumph courtesy her infamous ‘selfie curse’.
To put all the myths to bed, we decided to sit down with the girl of the moment herself. In the interview, Zainab tries to dissect Pakistan’s impressive victory, talk about the emergence of fresh new talent and inform us about her experience as a journalist in the beautiful world of cricket.
Pakistan was initially thrashed by India in their opening match but eventually turned their entire campaign around. What, according to you, was the turning point for the team?
I think the turning point was the humiliating defeat against India. It triggered some soul searching and reflection on the right combination for the team. It brought that drive within them to prove the world wrong, regroup and come out stronger.
There is a popular belief amongst the people that Wahab’s injury and Shehzad’s exclusion from the team was a blessing in disguise. What are your thoughts on this?
I think I personally always give preference to youth over experience. The energy, passion and the unfamiliarity factor a debutant brings in is something the opposition team is never prepared for. It was amazing to see Fakhar perform the way he did, he played without any abandon and fear. I think Shehzad is not the same player as he was once upon a time, that time when he was kept out of the team. He has lost his confidence and more than technical it is the mental weakness that he needs to deal with.
Fakhar Zaman was inspirational to say the least. What are your thoughts about the player? Is he the opener Pakistan has been crying out for?
Fakhar Zaman s run at the Champions Trophy was inspirational. Imagine a debutant comes to play and he scores fifties against Sri Lanka and England, both with supposedly a strong attack, and then tops it with a hundred against India in the final. That demonstrates his mental strength to not take pressure and his positive mindset. When he started out he was very strong off his legs but his offside display in the tournament has been one to watch out, he took on Jadeja and Ashwin with ease, coming down the track, sweeping them from wide outside off-stump and hitting unorthodox shots. I hope he can be groomed properly because he has a bright future ahead.
You covered the Pakistan Super League as well. How big a role do you think the PSL has played in Pakistan’s eventual triumph considering the involvement of the young emerging players?
Shadab Khan, Rumman Raees, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali, all are names that spring to my mind when I think of PSL. Working under foreign coaches, playing alongside the likes of Kevin Pieterson, the gains are numerous. PSL has closed the gap between the domestic and the international structure. Some of these players were performing for a while but they got the chance to announce their arrival in PSL.
You have seen everything unfold right in front of your eyes and by now know a thing or two about the players’ routines. Tell us a little bit about the players’ preparations before a big game. How do they generally calm their nerves?
Well, a day before the team indulged in light training only. All the preparation is done prior to it. I saw the team very relaxed day before the final. In fact, I tweeted about it as well that the calmness I witnessed was great to see, light banter between the boys and just enjoying themselves.
The real experience is always from the stands - some epic banter at The Oval yesterday @MazherArshad #ct17 pic.twitter.com/MM0UJgcpkv
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 19, 2017
The Pakistani team seemed very confident when they stepped onto the field in the final on Sunday. What are your thoughts on the players’ body language? How big a role did Sarfraz play in all this?
Like I mentioned several times when on song Pakistan is unstoppable. I saw a certain self-belief post that win amongst the players, with the leader of the men Sarfaraz leading his troops well along with the head coach Mickey Arthur. I think a lot of credit goes to the coach because he kept the team together in difficult times. The young boys, Hasan Ali, Shadab and company, had a certain amount of confidence which was oblivious to the opposition they were playing against. It was confidence in their skills.
Pakistan’s incredible victory was very unpredictable. How do you think the fans responded to the win? Was it a home-like atmosphere in London too?
The atmosphere was electric. Honestly, it felt like I was in a mini-Pakistan setting. Southall, Green Street and all other Pakistani dominant areas were celebrating with dhol wallas, flags, all cheering "Pakistan Zindabad" and generally celebrating. Roads were blocked, I also think the passion of a Pakistani fan is unmatched, for far too long we have been deprived of cricket back home. Every time I cross the Gaddafi stadium I see empty stands and it breaks my heart to see it such for a country that worships cricket. I think all those years of misery were put to rest with one win. I did miss the celebrations back home and mind you, I would be in the center of it!
Moving onto the lighter side of things, as a sports journalist how was the overall experience covering such an event at the world stage?
I think it was a dream come true and I can die in peace now. Well, watching an India Pakistan final with Pakistan winning, can there ever be a bigger moment in our lives? It was one moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I got to meet journalists from all over the world and exchanged thoughts on cricket. I also interviewed Harsha Bhogle from India and wrote a piece for CNN news18 - an Indian website on the final. Reporting from all the grounds was an experience of its kind, and one that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Let s hear @bhogleharsha & his thoughts on #PakvsInd #ct17 (Part One) pic.twitter.com/iQElsgKEUk
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 17, 2017
Back home cricket is pre-dominantly perceived as a male sport. How big an impact do you think you have played in promoting the sport as well as the profession of sports journalism amongst the females of the younger generation?
I get so many messages from younger girls how I have inspired them to take up the field. It is an amazing feeling to be able to do that if I can make a difference and break a stereotype then I think I have done my job. Fame has never been a priority for me. It has always been my obsession with Pakistan cricket and making a difference in this field.
While it has been much discussed, how did you take the “selfie curse” trend? Even the Indian media seemed much more focused on it instead of the tournament itself. How much of it bothered as a journalist?
I find it absolutely hilarious. Honestly, it is something that happened just by chance and the fact that Indian media took it seriously was epic. I don’t mind being referred to as the lucky charm of Pakistan though.
And on a lighter note, how much has your fan following increased on Facebook and Twitter following the trend?
It has been unbelievable. On Twitter I left at 70,000 followers and I returned to a following of 126, 000 and Facebook has 270,000 followers!
