Budding cricketers hope to bloom

By Ayanjit Sen
BBC correspondent in Lahore

Cricket is in our blood, says coach Zaved Zaman

It helped launch the careers of three Pakistani cricket captains, but now Lahore's Zaman Park is battling to keep its reputation.

Situated in a suburb of Lahore, the cricketing nursery has turned out Imran Khan, Majid Khan and Javed Burki.

Eight cousins of Imran Khan have also gone on from here to play first-class cricket.

But as priorities change among youngsters, it's now becoming harder to find cricketers who can go all the way to the national team.

Indian tour

The park's manager and coach of budding cricketers, Javed Zaman, who himself played first-class cricket, recalls the halcyon days.

"We used to practise here and play matches at weekends. Imran, Majid and Javed - all of them started their cricket lessons in this ground," says Mr Zaman.

I practise every evening and one day I would like to play for Pakistan Mohammed Abbas, 16

The park's players even toured India about six years ago.

"We played a few matches in the northern Indian state of Punjab, winning two and losing two," says Mr Zaman.

The history of Zaman Park stretches back more than 60 years.

"My family bought a house in this area in 1940 and since then cricket has been played in the park. Cricket is in our blood and the park was known by our family name," says Mr Zaman.

Many of the youngsters still dream of making the national team

Now cricketers come to play here from other areas in Lahore, but it has been hard for them to make the grade.

"It's because children are now more concerned about their education and cricket is not always their first priority," Mr Zaman says.

Nevertheless, there are still some youngsters playing in Zaman Park who dream of playing for the national team.

"I practise every evening and one day I would like to play for Pakistan," says 16-year-old Mohammed Abbas.

Mohammed, who is an all-rounder, says he has received some valuable tips from Imran Khan.

Ahmed Zaman, 14, is another committed sportsman: "Though I take my studies seriously, cricket is a passion for me and I shall try to continue it seriously."

The reputation of Zaman Park will depend on the determination of its new crop.