All-rounder Azhar Mahmood has said he will not blindly follow directives of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee and will look into the pros and cons before making a return to the side if recalled for the forthcoming tour of India.
According to reports, the seasoned campaigner, who has not been a part of the Pakistan team since the 2007 World Cup, has returned to the selectors’ good books as they mull over selection for the short limited-overs series against archrivals India in December and January.
The 37-year old has shown exceptional performances in various Twenty20 leagues besides his county stint over the years. Recently, Mahmood represented Auckland and was among the leading performers in the Champions League T20, finishing as the second highest wicket-taker (10 wickets) besides scoring 160 runs from five matches.
However, the all-rounder, who became a British citizen last year, said that while playing for Pakistan was still his priority, he was not desperate to don the national colours.
“I’ve heard my name is under consideration,” Mahmood told The Express Tribune. “It’s an honour for me but I’m not sure if I will agree to come for just one series. I’ll need a concrete offer to make up my mind as I haven’t forgotten what happened to me. I am not a youngster anymore and at the twilight of my career, I will have to ensure a secure future.
“My contract with my county and other T20 leagues will be at stake and it won’t be wise to put everything at stake for just one series.”
All-rounder rues ‘ordeal’ from PCB
The all-rounder lamented that he was sidelined from the team ‘without any reason’.
“What was my fault? I just played a single match in the World Cup and was sidelined afterwards. I’ve been performing consistently at various levels since but nobody considered me for a place, while other players were selected on basis of their league performances.”
He argued the impression that he was kept out due to his absence from domestic cricket.
“I just missed last year’s season but featured in the previous years. I performed in 2010 and kept on calling the then selection committee but nobody listened.”
Big Bash talks underway
Meanwhile, Mahmood said talks were underway for a contract in Australia’s Big Bash event.
“Talks are underway with its organisers and I will play the event if things are confirmed.”
Speaking on the Pakistan-India series, the all-rounder termed it a good omen for the game and for relations between the two countries.
“It’s a good development as cricket series between the two countries is very important just like the Ashes is for England and Australia.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
Pakistan has to be ranked No.1 when it comes to wasting and not valuing talent. I totally agree with Azhar Mahmood's stance!
@Hro: pakistan has no dearth for allrounders, we have always produced many of them and still have only one world cup. we need proper ballers and batsmen period.
@Ahmer: wow how patriotic u are why not go to englandddd like others
i remember he was always whacked by almost all the teams. his going to england and getting their nationality like many others is no concern for us or pcb. amir and asif made blunders theirs was a true loss. so in my humble opinion u are not needed ur overage!
@YesYesYes...!!!: U cannot more wrong. He does not have all that because of pakistan, instead he should be commended that he has what he inspite of pakistan. Now that is some achivement!
AZHAR dont get MAD, Concentrate on your career in BB, IPL and other leagues, think twice before getting in Trap of PCB.
Hes made his pounds n dollars! So why would he need the green shirt?? Afterall filling up the bank balances is all what ppl in pakistan r interested. From the politicians, judges, journalists to sportsmen/women. This is the sad state of ur country!! No values!
Pakistan doesn't need azhar....but azhar doesn't need Pakistan as well. I don't blame him for getting employment where he can. Good luck to him...pcb need to have a consistent selection policy. They can't expect players to sit around in the hope that pcb will suddenly remember them after 5 years.
I'll just say that league cricket is nothing compared to International cricket.
Just take example of Sohail Tanveer who does well in league but always dissapiunts in Internationsl .
One trading is because league has a fair amount of rokies ...
Razzaq hardly performs be it 20-20 leagues or International cricket. Atleast Azhar has earned his reputation in 20-20 cricket format.
How does Abdul Razzaq have poor attitude? Because he finally stood up for himself after all these years of being disrespected? The man may not be the best player anymore but was one of the better all rounders we had, talent that got wasted away once Wasim Akram quit as the teams Captain.
well said azhar mehmoodhe is one of the top class performer in big t20 leagues around the world. And he is consistent performer this all is a fact. but unfortunately dirty politics in cricket board and below average performers like shoaidb malik , afridi , razzaq being selected in the teams time and again but performers like mahmood is sidelined just because he doesnt follow the politics. bad message for the upcoming pakistani cricketers.
One can understand Mehmood's frustrations with PCB. For years being ignored and side lined one is impressed by his persistence and talent and making a name all over the globe from UK to Australia as a 20-20 Master specialist. One can also understand his circumspection and reservations towards a Pakistan recall. He probably knows too well how "Political" the atmosphere would be in the PCB and Pakistan dressing room and probabaly having coming up trumps in a fairer system where he shone on merit and effort alone probably is rightly considering all his options. Best of luck Azhar you deserve all the success that's coming your way and your are an example that , "You cant keep a good man down".
One can understand Azhar's frustration with PCB. For years they have given him the cold shoulder. He persisted and kept playing and gave 100% wherever he played. Definitely he is a player who could have been easily part of the 20-20 set up in the last few years. He has certainly matured into a great 20-20 player. He on his own steam has made a name in UK and Australia as a 20-20 specialist( no thanks to PCB) and he should consider all his options. He is also knows the level of politics involved in being part of Pakistan team. one is not surprised at his circumspection.
Azhar Mahmood was a dangerous player, a good bowler and batsman, i still wonder how come a talented player like him was forgotten. Politics i am sure
His reservations are correct. He needs a long contract rather than just one series. Australian summer has started so will be Big Bash and NZ county series (20-20). Playing for Pakistan for just one series will jeopardize his inclusion in other leagues. Tricky situation for him.
Nobody calling you either
@Hro.....Imran Nazir got the place on Zaka Ashraf's parchi... Azher Mehmood doesnt have any such
Azhar is talking smart. He should continue as British citizen as he will not find much in Pakistan than nepotism and bombs..
Azhar was one of the best all-rounders and he is right in pointing substandards in seelction... For instance Imran Nazir was selected on basis of Bangladesh league show while he was overlooked despite performing in major forign leagues
y blame PCB always ?? i mean this guy wasnt even in picture for last 4 years .... and those commenting in his favor should realize that performing in leagues and Intl cricket are two different things .... look at all big IPL stars and teams , look at BPL SLPL and even NZ league ... those performed there not always perform when play intl cricket. Its abt time that we should move on from Razzaq and Mehmood and find some new talent. and MR mehmood we dony need u even for one series. if u have soooo many ego issues to play for Pakistan then better not play and enjoy being Englishman
Sorry Bilal, I disagree. Abdul Razzaq doesn't have an attitude problem, in fact he's one of the few Pakistani senior players who keep their noses clean and yet is always sidelined when we need changes regardless of performances. Both Mahmood and Abdul Razzaq werre given opportunities and Mahmood's were generally worse (one day average of 18 and 39 with bat and ball compared with Abdul Razzaq whose figures were 30 and 32 respectively). However I think we could have fit both allrounders into the team ahead of useless overhyped players like Imran Nazir, Hammad Azam and Yasir Arafat. I think we should hire Mahmood for this upcoming season in India, South Africa and England since he is in form and has experience
Can't blame this guy. He was ignored by the cricket board often mostly because there's parchi system going on in PCB for a while. If talent like that is ignored by PCB, its' our loss caz someone else will pick them up.
If I was Mahmood, I would never believe PCB. At the very end of his career, he should continue playing T20 leagues around the world to earn enough for his post cricket days.
It's not you, who do not need Pakistan, its Pakistan who doesn't need you!! Yeah and all this that you have now, is only because of Pakistan…
He was a very good player and it is Pakistan cricket's loss that they preferred a lazy, self-entitled player with a poor attitude like Abdul Razzaq over a good, hard-working one like Azhar.
Pak don't need you Mr. Mahmood we have many talented young cricketers in our country. Since you are now a british citizen why don't you apply for English team.