Karachi: Many of the Pakistani Cricketers are animal lovers, local media sources have learnt. 11 Pakistani players are fond of keeping pet animals at their homes. Ahmed Shehzad has a black pet dog at Lahore. To name others are Waseem Akram, former captain Imran Khan, former chief selector Mohammad Ilyas.
Former batsman, Saeed Anwar too had kept “puppy” years back. While fast bowler Umar Gul has kept cat as the pet animal. According to local media reports, fast bowler Muhammad Amir is fond of keeping goats. Earlier he had kept stock of animals. Cricketer Mohsin Kamal was brought up among cattle.
Pakistan team’s fine batsman Inzamam ul Haq likes to keep cow and goats of best breeds. Shabbir Ahmed, the cricketer too had goats, cows and buffaloes kept as pet animals. Sohail Tanvir, the fast pacer keeps hens and Norway parrots. Abdur Rauf, who is fond of horses, keeps them as pet animals.
Keeping pet animals requires interest to bring them up and take proper care of them. Pakistani cricket players, many of them have background to that of the rural areas, which is among the major reasons for their fondness for the animals. However, it also requires enough space and ability to bear the expenditure of keeping the animals, which our cricketers are self-sufficient to bear.