"I’m finishing off matches unlike in
the past where I often threw away my
wicket. I’m even ready to play in the middle order for Pakistan," Discarded Test batsman Yasir Hameed. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI: Discarded Test batsman Yasir Hameed may be 36, but is not willing to throw the towel on his career just yet; instead, he is planning a comeback in the national team after showing form in the last domestic season.
The right-hand opening batsman has represented Pakistan in 25 Tests, scoring 1,491 runs at an average of 32.41, while he scored 2,028 runs in ODIs at a better average of 36.87.
“I’m keeping myself fit and scoring runs in domestic cricket because I want to make a comeback in the Pakistan team,” Hameed told The Express Tribune from Dubai, where he is playing in the Super Stars T20 tournament.
“I had a decent run in the President’s Trophy, while I also chipped in with runs in the one-day tournament for ZTBL. I was also the second leading run-scorer in both departmental and regional T20 tournaments which has boosted my confidence.”
Hameed started off his career with on a positive note, notching two hundreds in his first Test debut against Bangladesh in 2003 to become the only second player in Test cricket history, after West Indian Lawrence Rowe, to achieve the historic feat.
He became a permanent fixture for four years but was dropped in 2007 as the team management felt that he was not doing justice to his talent by throwing away his wicket.
However, three years later he was recalled for an away tour of England, only to see his career overshadowed by controversy in 2010 when he made certain questionable remarks about his teammates.
Even though Hameed has been sidelined since then, he says his motivation to make a comeback is only getting stronger.
“My motivation and hunger is only increasing with time because my batting has matured. I’m finishing off matches unlike in the past where I often threw away my wicket. I’m even ready to play in the middle order for Pakistan,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2014.
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A talented opener, who was sacked before being given enough chances.
Best of luck to Yasir. His averages appear better than most of Pakistan eleven.