Last-ball six in Sharjah: 27 years on, Miandad and Tauseef still celebrate

Cricketers reunited at National Stadium yesterday.

KARACHI: Twenty-seven years on, memory of the famous last-ball six in Sharjah still delights the nation and the hero on that day – Javed Miandad – is no exception.

April 18 was the day when Miandad hit a six off the last ball of the innings delivered by India’s Chetan Sharma when Pakistan needed four to win. The victory gave Pakistan the 1985-86 Austral-Asia Cup and a moment that would be cherished for a long time to come, celebrating the win over their archrivals India.

The legendary batsman was reminiscing the game’s most celebrated six as he marked the 27th anniversary at his home ground at the National Stadium in Karachi yesterday.

During a candid talk with the media, Miandad rushed towards Tauseef Ahmed who appeared at the scene by accident.

Tauseef, the number 11 during the match, cleverly rotated the strike on the penultimate delivery to give Miandad the strike for the final ball.

Both were then seen hugging during the surprise meet yesterday with Miandad kissing Tauseef’s cheeks several times.

“What he [Tauseef] did was exceptional,” Miandad said while praising his former teammate. “It was a pressure situation and he deserves credit for my six because I got the strike due to his crucial single.”

The former captain, while recalling the six, said it was still a lesson for cricketers.

“This tells batsmen to stay at the wicket because runs can come anytime. It was one of the most memorable moments for me because it boosted our cricket and united the nation. I still remember it like yesterday.”

Miandad suggests ‘15-20’ players per team

Meanwhile, the batting legend came up with a unique suggestion of fielding 15-20 players in the team.

“Why continue with 11 players per side. There was not much population in our times but now it has multiplied.

“More players should be given a chance to play in a playing team.”

To a query, the former captain said cricket is not played on laptops.

“Cricketers are made after hard work under the scorching sun and not on laptops,” he said, while lamenting the current players’ unwillingness to learn.

“Not a single cricketer has approached me to seek guidance yet. The hunger to learn is not present the way it used to be in our times.”

He added that he was ready to serve the country, saying he will accept an offer if approached for coaching after Dav Whatmore’s contract expires.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2013.