Cricket: Pakistan cricket writer having nightmare tour

By RICHARD BOOCK


Intrepid Pakistani cricket writer Zahid Malik had an uneventful day yesterday - a noteworthy event in itself.

He has already run into more than enough snags during his tour of New Zealand.

Malik, covering the series for the mass-circulation Daily Khabrian, made an ignominious beginning to his tour when he flew to Christchurch rather than Wellington for the Boxing Day test.

The mistake was picked up by New Zealand Cricket staff as they provided directions for his taxi driver.

Having arrived at the Basin Reserve just before tea on the first day, Malik missed the first two sessions on the second after succumbing to jet-lag, and when he did turn up, marked his entrance by walking straight through a full-length glass window.

Concerned ground authorities rushed him to Wellington Hospital.

Malik needed stitches in both arms and legs but managed to return to the press box, where he received a well-earned round of applause and was able to watch most of the final session.

Still in remarkably good spirits despite the mishaps, the Pakistani scribe has become almost as well-known as the players in Wellington and was recognised by the doctor who treated him - Malik's photograph had been in the previous day's newspaper.

He was yesterday presented with a Black Caps' shirt and cap by NZ Cricket staffer Tim Murdoch, and was relieved to emerge from the third day's play without incident.

* Malik will contribute columns for the Herald during the one-day series, which starts at Eden Park next Saturday.