Sarfaraz Nawaz – A Cricketer Known as Much for Controversies as for Cricket

Sarfaraz Nawaz, Pakistan’s legendary pacer, stayed in headlines for cricketing feats and off-field controversies throughout his career.

Sarfaraz Nawaz (Image Source: Google)

As per the latest news from the UK, Pakistan batter Haider Ali, who has played in 2 ODIs and 35 T20Is, was under criminal investigation by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). A girl had allegedly accused Haider of sexually harassing her.

It was alleged that the incident occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent UK tour. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), taking note of the investigation, announced a provisional suspension on Haider. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, further action shall be taken. Haider Ali was arrested and released after three days. It appears that Manchester Police has given Haider a clean chit in their initial investigation, but Haider will remain in the UK for a few days if anything comes up.

This is not the first time a Pakistan cricketer or anyone associated with the team, has been caught in a sex related controversy, in the UK. In 2013, Pakistan team masseur Malang Ali was sent back from the ICC Champions Trophy, after sexual harassment allegations. He was accused of allegedly sexually harassing a female worker at the London hotel where the players stayed during the event. The team management conducted an inquiry and found that the allegations against Malang had substance. Incidentally, five years ago, during the ICC Youth World Cup in Malaysia, the same masseur was accused of stealing cash and valuables from a player's room.

As far as the sex related incidents in UK, involving Pakistan cricketers are concerned, nothing can beat the unknown story of one of the most controversial Pakistan cricketers Sarfaraz Nawaz. The tall pacer played 55 Tests and 45 ODIs and is famous for the nine wickets spell at Melbourne against Australia in 1979.

Sarfraz is quite famous for his critical comments on Pakistan cricket and has made serious allegations of match and spot-fixing against players and officials. More than once, Sarfraz’s pension was stopped by the PCB because of his habit of appearing on electronic and print media and making unsubstantiated claims against the board and national team players.

In his 2006 autobiography Inside Out, former captain Mushtaq Mohammad reported that Sarfaraz was notorious for tasting the nightlife of the countries Pakistan toured, often slipping out of his hotel room in the evenings and returning in the early hours of the morning. However, he would always be the first to board the team bus to the ground.

He was a county cricket regular. Sarfraz played for Northamptonshire in two separate spells. Pakistan fast bowler had 12 full seasons in England (three of which included Test tours) from 1969 to 1982, taking 511 first-class and 224 one-day wickets. More than useful tailender who scored 3,212 first-class runs, including 10 fifties, and 1,177 in limited-overs cricket. Key part of 1976 and 1980 Lord's one-day trophy winning teams.

Even after the end of his cricket career he remained in the news often criticising Pakistan cricket and his political opponents. One incident is like an icing on the cake. This happened in September 1992 in the UK, and he was charged with assaulting, imprisoning a lady and even stealing her clothes. She was none other than famous dancer Azra Rauf. Sarfaraz met her at a party in Middlesex where she had come to perform. As was his habit, Sarfaraz impressed her and was seen talking to her. Even offered to drop her home.

It was alleged that once she was in the car with him, instead of taking her home, he took her to a flat in Chelsea and intimidated her. Once released, she reported to the Police but later softened her claims and Sarfaraz walked free from the Old Bailey after almost a year when she refused to give evidence or appear in Court.

He married thrice and this included marriage with a famous Pakistani film actress, Rani. His relationship with Rani was also in the news for quite a long time. They met at some function in Lahore and once she came to know that he had played and lived in England, she sought his help with her treatment in London, as she was suffering from cancer.

He took her to London, arranged for her treatment to the best and in the process fell in love with her. Ultimately, they got married. This was Sarfraz first and Rani’s third marriage. This relationship brought Sarfaraz close to many famous film personalities. Even when Rani refused to do a film Sher Khan by Younas Malik, Sarfaraz was requested to help, to convince her to change her mind and was even offered the lead role opposite her. Rani didn’t change her decision. She died in 1992, spending nearly a decade with him.