Farewell to Bashir

FAREWELL TO BASHIR

Long back I'd stated in one of my features that a day may soon come when competitive cricket would wither away in Tanzania. Indeed it did. What we see today is promotion of the game to the indigenous lot. It was after a lapse of almost 8 years that last Sunday some of us made an entry to the Gymkhana ground. From inside it bore a different outlook. Daressalaam city's commercial upsurge was amply evidenced by the skyscrapers in the background. The emergence of Sheraton hotel has dispossessed Gymkhana of its spaciousness. The spot where we would stretch and unfold our chairs to avail ourselves of a better view of the game had been taken away. Sadder, so many among us remained no more. Rightly Mohamed Nathoo prior to his brief address requested for a minute's silence for the departed souls.

The event was a get together of veteran cricketers and it was aptly organized by USC's virtuous Jimmy Peera who was ably assisted by Rizwan Ratansi. The occasion was to bid farewell to a fellow veteran of the game, Bashir Tejani, who is immigrating to the UK. He had amply entertained us spectators with his brilliant all round play. He was also a master of cricket laws and rules that had the cricket body as well as most of us develop deep dependence on him. The good old Amir Yusuf was flown out from ZAnzibar to create a semblance of the glorious past but the irony of time has turned the scene today. Amir projected the same neat and elegant look, albeit no fierceness in him this time. Mohamed Nathoo seemed subdued. The batsman, who would shuffle, cut, pull or hook any bowler, for once respected the bowler and even put on a helmet to guard himself. Shakir Sheraly held the catches with ease to demonstrate his talent that had earned him the reputation of 'fielder par excellence'. Hasnain Tejani lifted a delivery for a six to prove that he was still a force to be reckoned with. The old guard Murad Kermali kept the wickets but heaved a sigh of relief to be relieved by Muneer Bharwani. The oversized Mohamed Peera (Dicky) struck three boundaries in the very first over. Liakat Khimji, Mahmood Rahim, Kazim Nasser, Mustafa Merali and Anwer Mawji added to the chorus.

The Rest had CV Patel who without Suru Patel was a sad sight. Alnoor Fazal, once a crafty operator, bowled meekly. Parvez Vira reminded of those partnerships that he had shared with the fabulous Shiraz Sumar. So did Subhash Rathod of his namesake Parmar who had died so young. Babulal Chudasama would complete the trio. Vinoo Valambia, the contemporary of RD Patel, displayed his left arm bowling action. Adam Akberali, once a brilliant back footed player and a bowler who could hurl bouncers at will struggled with his balance. Dilawar Haji batted and bowled with gusto. They had also Ismail Ulanga who once formed part of AK Club and Shabbir Dewji who had founded Eaglets. Kulbir Gupta, a dentist by profession but cricketer to the last core led the team and kept wickets. Moreover his speech was marked with prudence and said it all. Ghulam Dossaji and Ibrahim Jacksi performed the umpiring duty honourably. The humble Babu Kanji as usual cycled his way to the ground to watch the veterans in action. The one fact that none could deny was that age had taken its toll on everybody.

Inbetween the host community for a short while submitted themselves to their prayers, prostrating before the Almighty for endowing us with life that is uncertain and must come to an end. How true! Thereafter the speeches and presentations were made. It was heartening to see the limping Sultan Damji, the scorer of half a century back, being invited to present the memento to the scorer of the day. The youthful Salim Akbar in the chair reminded not so long ago of a tot rushing from his tuition classes to the ground to cheer the flamboyant Shakir whom he adored. Time flies. The sumptuous lunch followed, thanks to the sponsor Raza Vellani.

The occasion also provided a tinge of sadness, for the gathering consisted of stalwarts of yester years, Ghulamhussein Dharamsi and Baker Tejani, who have Zanzibar's cricket history written all over them. Also the sheer glimpse of Nizar Jiwani refreshed those hierarchical days of TCA & DCA. And the most wonderful gesture on the part of the organizers was to invite Ahmed Himid and make him participate. An overwhelming sight that made me nostalgic, for my mania with the game began way back in 1956 when the Pakistan side led by Abdulhafiz Kardar had visited Zanzibar and there was this petite figure taking strides along with Mansoor Karimji at Mnazimoja's first pitch to open the innings for Zanzibar Combine.

The tea and titbits marked the end of the occasion. Evening was drawing in as we made our way back. It was great of the participants, all in their 50s and 60s, to have toiled the whole day on the field. As a lethargic onlooker I felt strained with exhaustion and very much doubt if will ever visit the Gymkhana ground again to view a cricket match. Time keeps flying. The occasion had awakened poignant memory of the olden days. Good bye Bashir!

Last updated November 2007