Cricket is a renowned and popular sport in Pakistan, with passionate fans from Karachi to Khyber who are truly one of a kind. Equally important are the individuals who have played a role in organizing and promoting the game across the country. Among such dedicated and passionate figures is Professor Ejaz Farooqi from Karachi.

Born on July 2, 1948, Professor Ejaz Farooqi earned a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Karachi in 1975. His love for cricket ran deep in his veins. However, it was during his participation in a cricket program in Gulshan-e-Iqbal that he was given an opportunity to get more involved. Recognizing his passion, members of Zone 2 invited him to join the Dawood Sports Club. He not only accepted the offer but also embarked on his journey as a cricket organizer.

In 2007, he was elected President of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) under the Pakistan Cricket Board’s electoral system. Three years later, he served as Secretary of the association.

A few years ago, the structure of Pakistan cricket changed with the introduction of a six-team system, bringing significant alterations to how cricket was managed, especially in club cricket. Many concerns emerged, but Professor Ejaz Farooqi did not lose hope. Instead, he took a bold step by organizing the All Pakistan Professor Ejaz Farooqi Cricket Tournament in Karachi, helping to revive the stalled system of club cricket.

Professor Farooqi believes that during his tenure as President and Secretary of the KCCA, he worked diligently to ensure that underprivileged and deserving children were not deprived of opportunities in club cricket. He always rejected favoritism and advocated for merit-based selections. According to him, this transparent approach to selection yielded positive results. During his time, both Karachi teams reached the finals of several tournaments held under the Pakistan Cricket Board, which stands as clear evidence of his fair policies.

He also highlights the inclusion of players like Shahnawaz Dahani from Larkana and Mohammad Hasnain from Hyderabad in the ICC World Cup squad, emphasizing the nationwide talent pool. However, in recent years, Karachi’s players were overlooked despite their strong performances. Though Shan Masood lives in Karachi, he began his cricketing journey in Islamabad. On this, Professor Farooqi asserts that it’s not true that Karachi lacks talent or that its players are unworthy of national selection. In fact, he firmly believes that Karachi has both the skill and potential to represent Pakistan. Fawad Alam’s return to the Test squad after ten long years is a prime example of this.

Professor Ejaz Farooqi also served on the Governing Board of the Pakistan Cricket Board. His invaluable contributions to education were always acknowledged by the late former PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan, who appointed him head of the Ground Committee. As the head of KCCA, Farooqi also used his own resources to build the association's office at the National Stadium Karachi. There, he showcased trophies won by Karachi teams over different periods. He believes that in any city, the local association plays a vital role in hosting matches and working with local administration.A role that is nearly nonexistent today, which he finds quite unfortunate.

For the past 15 years, Professor Ejaz Farooqi has also served as President and Secretary at the Arts Council of Karachi. He strongly feels that it is essential to restore the role of associations within Pakistan’s cricketing system. According to him, Karachi has always been and will continue to be an essential part of Pakistan cricket in terms of both the game and the players.