Bismillahir Rehamanir Rahim
Assalam-o-alaikum
Introduction:
We hope the community is well and is in good health. We are continuing to interview our leading members in the community so please let us know if you know someone who would like to appear in our newsletter.
In this newsletter, we had the opportunity to talk to the cricket captain of the HEC cricket team, Zia Hashmi.
Q1: How has the cricket season been going for the HEC cricket team?
A. It was not as good in the beginning for HEC team playing in 1 day 5A grade, as most players were playing after a long time and were also new to hard-ball cricket but now our team is well set and we have won our last four matches in a row.
Q2: What role do you play in the cricket team?
A. I am the captain of HEC scholar’s team playing in 1 day 5A grade.
Q3: Who can join the HEC team?
A. Preference is given to those HEC scholars who are registered with Takapuna club. But if some of the players are missing due to other commitments then any Pakistani player can get a chance to play in this team.
Q4: How often do you train and where?
A. We have one practice session per week, on Thursday, at Parnell nets.
Q5: What kind of training do you do?
A. We usually do batting, bowling and fielding (catching) training.
Q6: Have you ever had a serious injury in a game?
A. No. But minor injuries are part of this game or even normal life.
Q7: Who is your favorite cricketer and why?
A. My favorite cricketer is Imran Khan as he is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time and in my opinion the best ever skipper of this game.
Q8: What do you think about India not touring Pakistan?
A. I think it is their personal decision but nothing should affect cricket.
Q9: What do you think about taunting during the game?
A. I think it is part of this game but it should be within certain limits. One should not attack one’s personality.
Q10: What are your activities when you are not playing?
A. I try to spend my time with my family.
Q11: How do you balance cricket and study?
A. I think a PhD student has flexible study timings so its not hard to devote one and a half days for cricket (provided you have got enough passion for cricket).
Q12: Why did you choose to study in New Zealand?
A. As it is an English speaking country, has got cultural diversity and everybody is free to live in their own way over here.
Q13: What and where were you studying before you came to New Zealand?
A. I was serving in Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Islamabad, an environmental research organization.
Q14: What is your area or topic of study?
A. My research area is “assessment of hydrologic impacts of Climate Change”.
Q15: What are your goals for this year?
A. InshaAllah, I am going to submit two research articles in two well reputed journals of my field and will present a paper at a conference in Cairns, Australia in July this year.
Q16: Are more HEC students expected to come to New Zealand?
A. To my knowledge, no students are expected to come to New Zealand for some time but HEC is working on a new plan which will make it possible for HEC to send more students here.
Q17: What will you do once you finish your studies?
A. I will go back to sohni dharti Pakistan and re-join GCISC.
Q18: How have you found the Pakistani community in New Zealand?
A. It is really great to see Pakistanis living here as a strong community and are very helpful to their Pakistani brothers always.
Q19: What is your favorite place in New Zealand?
A. I have not seen South Island of New Zealand yet, but I suppose some place over there would be my favorite in New Zealand.
Q20: How do you keep in touch with friends and family in Pakistan?
A. My family and friends in Pakistan regularly call me as it is really cheap to call from Pakistan to New Zealand and on special occasions like Eid, someone’s birthday etc I call them as well.
Thank you very much Allah hafiz.
Students activities
The students are doing great. During the recent couple of weeks, many students have been busy for their visa extension process. Unfortunately, Immigration NZ gives only one year visa extension which puts financial burden on students every year along with other difficulties. We raised this issue at different forums several times but in vain. In Auckland club cricket, HEC scholars team demonstrated excellent performance during the last couple of weeks under the leadership of Mr Zia Hashmi. HEC scholars’ team is expected to be in top-4 after pool matches. HEC scholars have also started Islamic lessons at prayer room on the university after Zuhr.
For further information please contact Mr. Tanveer Abbas on 0212102911.
Prayer timings
Fajar: 6:15 am
Zuhar: 1:50 pm
Asr : 6:00 pm
Magrib:8:00 pm
Isha: 9:45 pm
What is happening in Pakistan
At this time, Pakistan is facing many challenges like the political situation of our beautiful city Swat, the global recession and the economic crisis. As Pakistanis we all should pray for our beautiful country. May Allah solve all the problems and make Pakistan a great place to live (Ameen).
Sports
When we talk about sports the first thing that comes to mind is cricket and Pakistan is currently playing test matches against Sri Lanka with the last test on 6 March 2009 in Lahore.
The Pakistani Hockey Federation has named Olympian Shahid Ali Khan as the chief coach of the national hockey team. Shahid said he would try his best to help Pakistan regain its lost glory in hockey and his first job will be to prepare the team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 6-12 2009. Khan said he wanted a youthful team with a blend of experienced players.
Tennis Ball Cricket Tournment 2009
A Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament to be held on 8 March 2009 at Melville Park on St Andrews Road in Epsom. The tournament will be a knockout tournament with 8 teams. Each team has a maximum of 8 players. Number of overs per innings is 8. Drinks, snacks and pizza will be provided for spectators. The team draw will be taking place at 9:30am sharp on the grounds. Refreshments for spectators will be provided. All are welcome to enjoy the performance of our local boys! Photos of the tournament will be posted on my facebook page which can be accessed through this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photos/?ref=sb
Facebook is free to join and a great way to keep in touch!
For more information contact Mr. Ata-ur-Rehman Qureshi Cell: 0212070071 or
Khalid Jatoi : 02102799259
Websites
PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSION CONTACT DETAILS
182 Onslow Road, Kandallah
Wellington
04-479 0026-27
For anything to be added in next newsletter pl contact Mr Ayaz Manzoor on 09 627 9136
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