What an absolute joy to host #SixOfTheBest in Lahore last week Saturday on our day off during the HBL Pakistan Super League.

My good friend, Munawar Hussain, had offered to gather some of the smartest minds, for an intimate lunch, to discuss the return of cricket to Pakistan, where I had the privilege of recording a podcast of our conversation.

Munawar got a brilliant group together including acclaimed historian, Najam Latif, former Pakistan women’s cricket captain, Shamsa Hashmi, Mueen Afzal, former Pakistan Cricket Board administrator, cricket commentators, Raja Asad Ali Khan and Tariq Saeed.

We had a great chat about cricket returning to Pakistan, the growth of the game and the importance of changing perceptions.

The venue was the amazing Lahore Gymkhana. The company was top class, the food was exquisite and the surroundings were breath-taking. What a splendid afternoon in Lahore.

 

Listen to the podcast!

 

 

It is incredible to think that, on this day, exactly two years ago, I hosted the first ever #SixOfTheBest gathering. The initiative was inspired by #CricketTwitter and involved me hosting a get together of six fans to talk cricket and share ideas of growing the game.

The idea came about after ardent Proteas cricket fan, Waseefa, tweeted me asking me out to coffee after South Africa’s dismal effort against India in the ODI series. I said I would make time so the next time I was in Cape Town, I got the first #SixOfTheBest gang together.

The gathering took place at the iconic Newlands cricket stadium. Cricket South Africa’s Leila Steyn hosted me with #SixOfTheBest Cape Town on day one of the Test between South Africa and Australia. Out of that gathering emerged friends for life and some of us have met since and continue to engage on social media regarding our mutual love for cricket.

The gathering was such a success that it led to another one at Wanderers Cricket stadium where we hosted #SixOfTheBest Johannesburg. Sitting on the balcony in the Gallery, enjoying a VIP experience and talking cricket was the ultimate cricket date and the afternoon saw new friends made.

After South Africa’s disappointing World Cup campaign, I gathered #SixOfTheBest Proteas fans to talk about what went wrong and what needed to happen to repair the damage. Some strong opinions were shared. It was a delightful lunch at Mezepoli, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg and despite the heavy nature of conversation, it felt good for #SixOfTheBest to get what they needed to say off their chests!

The first international #SixOfTheBest event took place at Starbucks at Mumbai Airport where I got to meet and talk to the North Stand Gang, a crazy group of cricket fans, who are changing the face of support for Indian cricket and are also great admirers of world cricket figures.