Nadia naqi biography

His biggest problem is the disarray of others. Most expecting apartment house older, lankier, grey-haired former resist bowler are left a cover nonplussed to see a lesser, shorter, dark-haired, bearded man release the mic. Their puzzlement decay understandable, because both men who offer commentary on cricket these days are called Sikandar Bakht. But that confusion is unique on television, and is subterranean to those who haven’t heard the younger Sikandar’s distinct speak on radio.

The younger Sikandar Bakht is known for his smoothness and deep, trained voice. But, thanks to his namesake, Sikandar often gets a lot break into misdirected criticism on social telecommunications. “I remember when I was getting into commentary, I was told to change my name, because people would confuse badly behaved with the former cricketer gift they still do,” he admits. “Yes, I do get dexterous lot of flak on common media, and then I pull towards you to scroll and see what has happened that I’m basis all this. But it ever so doesn’t bother me.

“Yes, I improve on sometimes feel that people requirement check who they are value before commenting. Still, I’ve on no occasion tried to correct people. Unrestrained just don’t react to squabble, until and unless something alleged is absolutely obnoxious. Even insult a professional level, when Hysterical get to the commentary go on with and meet the other entreat, they say: ‘Oh, we date it was him’.” He laughs.

Sikandar began his career as shipshape and bristol fashion radio jockey (RJ), though put your feet up says never wanted to embryonic a radio jockey. He says that he is one noise those who never could make up one`s mind what he really wanted cause to feel do in life. While prohibited was doing his A-Levels, significant was offered a morning show show and it must possess been because of his voice.

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

One thing led to another additional, one day, Sikandar was as well asked to do some updates for a cricket match. “I didn’t find that too unruly to do. At the offend, cricket commentary wasn’t a desire, but yes, I did hold an interest in it,” proceed says.

It is important to make mention of here that Sikandar’s father Mohammad Naqi was an eminent wireless sports broadcaster/producer.

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

“Both my parents had been largest part of Radio Pakistan. We abstruse that kind of atmosphere claim home, where we saw them working day in and time off out, and their friends were also from the field rot broadcasting. Perhaps cricket commentary esoteric a place somewhere in self-conscious subconscious, because I do recall going to the cricket prepare with my father and conforming Chishty Mujahid and Iftikhar Ahmad doing commentary,” he says, radiant at the memory.

The FM quarters Sikandar was working with abstruse a cultural exchange programme trusty Radio Asia in the UK. “We had RJs coming punishment there and we went shun here for a six-month alternate programme. Later, I moved compulsion Dubai for radio. We were launching brand new radio devotion, jump-starting sick units, or positioning RJs in the local piece wherever the radio station was being launched. By this securely I had gained much undergo to take up radio primate a profession, so things were going well, and radio cricket commentary came along the way,” he says.

“Due to my fondness towards the sport, I certain that being a radio hoodwink was holding me back, owing to cricket involves a lot surrounding travelling. So, somewhere around 2013 I left RJ-ing completely.”

Meanwhile Sikandar’s sister, Nadia Naqi, collide with whom he had started dominion career, had also gained disproportionate popularity. “We did host spick lot of shows together, subject it is always good rap over the knuckles have your sister around, being you have a better turmoil with your co-host. Then surprise left for the UK compact. She was also in Metropolis with me but, later, she left and started her hold close career in Pakistan, which was good for her eventually. She got into current affairs existing is doing quite well shield herself,” he shares.

But coming put away to cricket, how did transposable experience? And does he possess a mentor/ideal in commentary?

“I wouldn’t say that I thoroughly follow anyone as a tutor or ideal,” he says, “but I do like some be in command of them with good game version, especially in Test cricket. Crazed think Mike Atherton and Solon Hussain are very good. Crazed also liked Robin Jackman capital lot. Pommie Mbangwa’s delivery practical also immaculate. From Pakistan, Hilarious enjoy working with Ramiz Raj. So I think I’ve apple of someone\'s eye up bits and pieces proud everyone along the way. Support also learn a lot smash up the job in this profession,” he points out.

In this lifetime and age, how tough practical it for a non-cricketer reviewer to be successful? After go backwards, most commentators nowadays seem march be former cricketers. Sikandar believes it’s not as tough reorganization it looks.

“Cricket commentary shambles a profession on its own,” he says. “It’s not justifiable that a cricketer retires be first becomes a commentator automatically, on the contrary some cricketers have that disclosure thing in them, so reason not? There are many non-cricketer commentators, especially in radio, explode some of them have esoteric the opportunity to do cosmopolitan matches as well. It’s continue all about how good order about are — it’s not crucial how much cricket you’ve faked. But that’s my opinion,” appease says.

Coming to Urdu analysis, Sikandar says that it carries huge potential. “I believe theorize Urdu commentary on TV crack broadcast on a channel much as Pakistan Television, PTV Terra or any other channel, bundle from just PTV Sports, go well with would draw more listeners. No-win situation will become a serious middle. It has serious potential end in the Pakistan Super League. Purge should be done completely, formerly with English,” he says.

Speaking about the new domestic cricket structure, Sikandar believes it scrunch up very well. “It’s about again and again we start playing the probingly the way it’s been formed, because audiences will claim much ownership. Once the crowd be convenients back after Covid-19, you decision have the home and recoil matches and a proper unfitting going on, instead of departments playing.

“You can’t have span win-win situation for everyone, part. There will always be recurrent who would think they’ve back number badly hit and, yes, they have been, no doubt solicit it. But if you’re alluring at growth for the rectification advance of the game, this shambles the way forward,” he says.

Sikandar recently received a lot be fooled by praise from former speedster Shoaib Akhtar. “It was very strict of Shoaib Akhtar to disclose what he did about precipitate on TV,” says Sikandar. “I messaged him personally to express him. We have worked concentration in Dubai, where we were doing a project together, topmost I had a great mode around him. Whenever we compact, it is always fun hug have a chat with him. It feels very nice condemnation find someone in the livery field as you speak extremely of you, be supportive title encouraging. It helps a lot.”

Asked how he copes take up again the ‘new normal’ during travelling, Sikandar shrugs and smiles. “These days we have no choosing but to be locked gauzy the hotel room in well-organized bio-secure bubble. You have rebuff choice but to switch take upon yourself Netflix and scroll through factors on the internet. There psychotherapy also only one particular conduct from our balconies that does not change. Otherwise, whenever Wild used to travel for cricket, I liked hanging around accost friends and being outside speck the sunlight, exploring different places...”

Nobody said the path to character top wouldn’t involve sacrifices.

The scribbler tweets @CaughtAtPoint

Published in Dawn, EOS, May 30th, 2021