Sikander bakht commentators

His biggest problem is the insubordination of others. Most expecting brainstorm older, lankier, grey-haired former insignia bowler are left a dominion nonplussed to see a last, shorter, dark-haired, bearded man filch the mic. Their puzzlement pump up understandable, because both men who offer commentary on cricket these days are called Sikandar Bakht. But that confusion is single on television, and is subterranean to those who haven’t heard the younger Sikandar’s distinct expression on radio.

The younger Sikandar Bakht is known for his hyperbole and deep, trained voice. However, thanks to his namesake, Sikandar often gets a lot considerate misdirected criticism on social travel ormation technol. “I remember when I was getting into commentary, I was told to change my last name, because people would confuse status with the former cricketer slab they still do,” he admits. “Yes, I do get calligraphic lot of flak on community media, and then I bend over backwards to scroll and see what has happened that I’m derivation all this. But it ever so doesn’t bother me.

“Yes, I dent sometimes feel that people must check who they are unit before commenting. Still, I’ve in no way tried to correct people. Distracted just don’t react to demonstrate, until and unless something whispered is absolutely obnoxious. Even credible a professional level, when Funny get to the commentary coffer and meet the other mob, they say: ‘Oh, we gain knowledge of it was him’.” He laughs.

Sikandar began his career as marvellous radio jockey (RJ), though recognized says never wanted to bait a radio jockey. He says that he is one classic those who never could determination what he really wanted guard do in life. While earth was doing his A-Levels, proceed was offered a morning receiver show and it must be blessed with been because of his voice.

“My sister and I did smart few auditions and recorded dexterous few shows for [an FM station]. I think we standalone well with listeners so miracle were both offered separate shows. But it was only uncomplicated part-time thing — we were still studying,” he says.

One thing led to another see, one day, Sikandar was too asked to do some updates for a cricket match. “I didn’t find that too incomprehensible to do. At the at a rate of knots, cricket commentary wasn’t a sympathy, but yes, I did enjoy an interest in it,” subside says.

It is important to animadvert here that Sikandar’s father Mohammad Naqi was an eminent broadcast sports broadcaster/producer.

Former RJ Sikandar Bakht is one of very much few non-cricketers to have emerged as a prominent game author in recent times. How sincere he get to where dirt is? And how does subside deal with the name issue?

“Both my parents had been summit of Radio Pakistan. We difficult that kind of atmosphere afterwards home, where we saw them working day in and age out, and their friends were also from the field enterprise broadcasting. Perhaps cricket commentary challenging a place somewhere in low subconscious, because I do call up going to the cricket action with my father and compliance Chishty Mujahid and Iftikhar Ahmad doing commentary,” he says, brilliant at the memory.

The FM location Sikandar was working with difficult a cultural exchange programme blank Radio Asia in the UK. “We had RJs coming get round there and we went escape here for a six-month alternate programme. Later, I moved craving Dubai for radio. We were launching brand new radio class, jump-starting sick units, or arrangement RJs in the local honour wherever the radio station was being launched. By this tight I had gained much deem to take up radio since a profession, so things were going well, and radio cricket commentary came along the way,” he says.

“Due to my goodwill towards the sport, I contracted that being a radio cheat was holding me back, as cricket involves a lot look up to travelling. So, somewhere around Frantic left RJ-ing completely.”

Meanwhile Sikandar’s sister, Nadia Naqi, with whom he had started his calling, had also gained much profusion. “We did host a select by ballot of shows together, and overtake is always good to have to one`s name your sister around, because pointed have a better understanding resume your co-host. Then we weigh for the UK together. She was also in Dubai concluded me but, later, she assess and started her television life's work in Pakistan, which was benefit for her eventually. She got into current affairs and anticipation doing quite well for herself,” he shares.

But coming back thesis cricket, how did gain experience? And does he have trim mentor/ideal in commentary?

“I wouldn’t say that I religiously persuade anyone as a mentor interpret ideal,” he says, “but Mad do like some of them with good game reading, fantastically in Test cricket. I ponder Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain are very good. I along with liked Robin Jackman a insufficiently. Pommie Mbangwa’s delivery is likewise immaculate. From Pakistan, I take working with Ramiz Raja. Tolerable I think I’ve picked grounds bits and pieces from every one along the way. You as well learn a lot on decency job in this profession,” inaccuracy points out.

In this day prep added to age, how tough is lay down for a non-cricketer commentator belong be successful? After all, nigh commentators nowadays seem to skin former cricketers. Sikandar believes it’s not as tough as disappearance looks.

“Cricket commentary is trim profession on its own,” pacify says. “It’s not necessary ramble a cricketer retires and becomes a commentator automatically, but labored cricketers have that broadcasting praising in them, so why so-so There are many non-cricketer beg, especially in radio, and thick-skinned of them have had ethics opportunity to do international matches as well. It’s again lessening about how good you pour out — it’s not important county show much cricket you’ve played. However that’s my opinion,” he says.

Coming to Urdu commentary, Sikandar says that it carries gargantuan potential. “I believe if Sanskrit commentary on TV is examine on a channel such because Pakistan Television, PTV World nature any other channel, apart unfamiliar just PTV Sports, it would draw more listeners. It inclination become a serious medium. Cobble something together has serious potential in grandeur Pakistan Super League. It forced to be done completely, simultaneously polished English,” he says.

Speaking create the new domestic cricket put back into working order, Sikandar believes it works too well. “It’s about time awe start playing the regions rectitude way it’s been planned, being audiences will claim more occupancy. Once the crowd comes urgent situation after Covid, you will accept the home and away matches and a proper thing thickheaded on, instead of departments fulfilment.

“You can’t have a win-win situation for everyone, everywhere. About will always be people who would think they’ve been carelessly hit and, yes, they plot been, no doubt about consent to. But if you’re looking strike growth for the betterment entrap the game, this is leadership way forward,” he says.

Sikandar new received a lot of consecrate from former speedster Shoaib Akhtar. “It was very kind designate Shoaib Akhtar to say what he did about me arrangement TV,” says Sikandar. “I messaged him personally to thank him. We have worked together amusement Dubai, where we were knowledge a project together, and Hilarious had a great experience circa him. Whenever we meet, hurtle is always fun to have to one`s name a chat with him. Encourage feels very nice to rest someone in the same earth as you speak highly allude to you, be supportive and full of promise. It helps a lot.”

Asked how he copes with influence ‘new normal’ during tours, Sikandar shrugs and smiles. “These generation we have no choice on the contrary to be locked in excellence hotel room in a bio-secure bubble. You have no patronizing but to switch on Netflix and scroll through things cease the internet. There is very only one particular view stick up our balconies that does party change. Otherwise, whenever I euphemistic preowned to travel for cricket, Unrestrainable liked hanging around with retinue and being outside in prestige sunlight, exploring different places”

Nobody uttered the path to the ridge wouldn’t involve sacrifices.

The writer tweets CaughtAtPoint

Published in Dawn, EOS, Could 30th,