Karachi: A new book celebrating the contributions of non-Muslim cricketers from Karachi was launched at the Arts Council of Pakistan, earning praise from former cricketers, researchers, and journalists.
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan congratulated senior journalist and researcher Shah Waliullah Junaidi for writing what he called a groundbreaking book. He said documenting cricket’s history is never easy, but Junaidi’s effort has brought to light the stories of many forgotten players who played a key role in shaping Karachi’s cricket culture.
Veteran commentator Qamar Ahmed also spoke at the event, reminding the audience that cricket has never been about religion. “This is the first and only book of its kind in the world. He called it a landmark in cricket research and added that Sindh has always produced talented cricketers and played an important role in the game.
In his presidential address, researcher Khwaja Razi Haider highlighted Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s love for cricket and his emphasis on minority rights. He recalled that leaders of the Khilafat Movement, Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar and Shaukat Ali, were also keen cricketers who once played for Aligarh University.
Speaking about his book, Junaidi explained that cricket came to Karachi more than 170 years ago through the Parsi community. At first, many Muslims hesitated to adopt it, seeing it as a foreign sport. Over time, however, Parsis, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslim communities not only embraced cricket but also represented Karachi with distinction at national and international levels.
Journalist Mazhar Abbas expressed concern over the declining number of cricket grounds in Karachi and said that Junaidi’s research is a timely reminder of the city’s glorious sporting past.
Other speakers, including Iqbalur Rehman Mandvia, Abdul Shakoor, Farsheed Rohani, Iqbal Latif, and Shakeel Khan, also praised the author’s dedication and stressed the importance of preserving Karachi’s diverse cricketing heritage.
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