Sharp, sharp:

The American consumer culture is predisposed to replacing a broken product instead of refurbishing it, whereas Pakistan’s consumers demand ingenious repairs to keep products functioning far past manufacturer expectations. Conversely, America’s political culture is inclined to repair any malfunctions that arise through democratic rule, while Pakistan’s people repeatedly scrap democratic regimes and “start fresh” out of frustration at politicians who fail to satisfy their needs.

…which a legislator may not use in the Delhi Assembly: among those expressly prohibited are “haathi ka bachcha”, “smuggler”, “sala”, “andher nagari choupat raja”, “abe chup” and “are doob maro”.

No wonder the Parliamentary version of the book runs into 900 pages. Because apparently of examples such as

“bandicoot”, which is unparliamentary if any MP uses it for another, but which is okay if he uses it for himself.

Any satire is as misleading as it is true. But read it anyway: “I knew Christopher Hitchens better than you”

This was twenty five – twenty five! – years ago, at the 1986 Australasia Cup final:

For starters, batting first, India managed to put on a massive 245 runs on the board. It was the highest score in Sharjah then and we were already under psychological pressure. The pressure increased as Pakistan’s top order returned to the pavilion one by one. That’s when I realised the responsibility on my shoulders,” Miandad recalls.

It’s striking how similar Miandad’s position was at his last match almost exactly ten years later at the 1996 World Cup quarter-final. India scoring 288, Pakistan chasing, a quick fall of wickets, Miandad as the last hope, a screw-you fightback. Different ending, though.