Kamran Haider: Marked for life by Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad of Pakistan

28 years ago, a stroke from Javed Miandad’s bat sailed over the mid-wicket boundary and changed Pakistan cricket forever, besides scarring an entire generation of Indians.

Shahid Afridi repeated the same heroics last week when he clubbed two sixes in the final over to give Pakistan a one-wicket win over India in the Asia Cup clash.

The similarities between the two matches are so many and quite unbelievable: from India’s score to the number of 50s their batsmen scored, the number of run outs in Pakistan’s innings, the number of sixes the Indian opener hit, the number of wickets taken by the bowler who got hit for the sixes, and the margin of victory are all the same. And there are still a few of them.

All along these 28 years, the Pakistanis have been probably thinking about living through such a moment again or the probability of something like that resounding last ball six happening one more time.

Forget the moment, for we all got to relive the entire match again! Despite all these similarities between the two Pakistan vs. India clashes, one stark difference stands out: the Pakistani man, only a 6-year-old boy in 1986, who was marked for life by Javed Miandad’s six, Kamran Haider.

Haider was in the stands playing on the high stairs, doing what a 6-year-old does at cricket stadiums on that fateful day in April 1986. As Chetan Sharma’s full toss had been clubbed over mid-wicket and the entire Sharjah stadium erupted in joy, Haider was surrounded in blood. The historic shot off Miandad’s bat struck this 6-year-old boy in the stands, and, just like Chetan Sharma, he did not know what had hit him.

As Pakistanis in the stadium and around the world celebrated the biggest moment (at the time) in Pakistan’s cricket history, Haider’s parents were rushing to find a medic.

The kid was treated by the Pakistan team physio in the Pakistan dressing room while the rest of the team were celebrating the historic win. He even enjoyed a moment in Imran Khan’s lap.

Here’s the story from Kamran Haider himself:

1. How does it feel to be the only Pakistani to be “scarred” by Javed Miandad’s six?

I feel being stamped in the head with an authentic Pakistani approved stamp. I love my scar!

2. Did you feel history repeated itself when Shahid Afridi smashed Ravichandran Ashwin for two sixes to win the match for Pakistan?

Yes, after Miandad’s last ball six, every Pakistani has this hope of waiting for the very last ball to see if we can win. While others start leaving the stadiums, we sit back and hope someone pulls a Miandad on the last ball…

3. Did you attend more matches in Sharjah stadium after that?

Yes, many. Sharjah has always been lucky for Pakistan. I have experienced some amazing moments, and frankly I miss it!

4. Did you ever meet Javed Miandad after that day?

I saw him a few times at airports and restaurants but never had the opportunity to go up to him and tell him that I am a big fan or what had happened to me. But I always feel I have the best autograph. I carry it everywhere and it never fades!

5. Do you remember anything that was said to you while you were in the dressing room?

All I remember is people standing up for the last ball, screams everywhere and a sudden thug, a little whistle and then a fade out. I woke up in my father’s arm with blood everywhere. I remember people screaming in Urdu “move, move, here, here” and being in a room where people were extremely excited.

Dad says I was taken in to the Pakistani dressing room and the stitches were done by the Pakistani team physio. Not just that, at one point Imran Khan came to ask what was going on. I think he meant, while all Pakistanis are jumping, laughing and enjoying, why is this little Pakistani boy crying?

6. How does it feel today to think that you were with the Pakistan team in the dressing room after that historic win?

People who know me understand that I am very patriotic towards Pakistan and it isn’t limited to cricket. Its about everything! You assign anything positive to Pakistan, and I will love it and make sure of spreading the word.

I believe anything that can bring a positive change in the state of Pakistan and my people are worth cherishing it. This scar I hold is very dear to me; it is a trophy, and I will take it to my grave as a proud Pakistani!