Legendary Pakistani swing-bowling all-rounder Wasim Akram made a guest appearance at local businessman Kamil Khan’s Blu Ginger Indian restaurant in Castle Towers, Sydney on Sunday 25 January.
My earliest memories of Wasim Akram were from the India vs Pakistan series of 1999. I was nine years old at the time; in grade four on a visit to India for my aunty’s wedding. Cricket was already my favourite sport, but it was really only from that series that I began to follow the game religiously. To have the opportunity to interact with the ‘Sheikh of Swing’ over dinner some 16 years later was a dream come true.
Along with Akram, Dermot Reeve, the colourful English cricketer who played three test matches and 29 ODIs in the early to mid-90s was also present at dinner. He is now the head coach of Blacktown in Sydney Grade Cricket.
Kamil Khan, the owner of the Blu Ginger restaurant is known in local business circles as a passionate cricket lover and has several Indian restaurants including Bundu Khan in Harris Park. In 2012, the Indian cricket team including maestro Sachin Tendulkar famously made an appearance for Bundu Khan’s opening.
The evening consisted of an extensive and mouth-watering selection of north Indian dishes including vegetarian, non-veg and seafood options. Indian breads were served piping hot and accompanied with a variety of rice options and salads.
Wasim Akram was undoubtedly one of my favourite bowlers. His mastery with the new and old ball was incredible. He spoke candidly and freely on cricket, lifestyle and commentary. You can read about all that in detail and more in the next edition of The Indian Sun.
Good food in good company made this well and truly a night to remember.
Navneet Ganesh is the founder of Infinity Cricket, a leading cricket organisation. Infinity Cricket organizes Australia’s premier ‘open’ T20 cricket events at the grassroots level and has a presence in two cities: Melbourne & Brisbane. Navneet is also a cricket journalist.
Published in The Indian Sun, Sydney
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