In line for debut: Rumman eager to Raees high
Fast-bowler aims to impress after being selected for T20I squad against West Indies
Rumman Raees. PHOTO COURTESY: PCB
KARACHI:
Uncapped left-arm pacer Rumman Raees is set to make his international debut in the three-match T20I series against the West Indies in the UAE, and he is understandably eager to begin well.
The 24-year-old Raees was named in the recently announced T20I squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies. “I have been working hard for months and have proven myself in the ongoing National T20 Cup as well,” Raees told The Express Tribune.
Raees, who is representing Karachi Blues, was also picked for the World T20 squad and the Asia Cup but was then sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
“Playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) helped me a lot,” added Raees. “Every player dreams of playing in the World Cup but I got injured before I could realise that dream.”
My hard work finally paid off: Rumman Raees
But even that cruel blow turned out to have a silver lining. “I took that injury as a challenge. I began training and worked on my fitness,” he said. “During the PSL I had a bulky body and was a bit heavy, which was hampering my fitness. Since then I have reduced my weight.”
Raees was also a part of the fitness camp run by the army, where he worked on his fitness and his weight dropped from 91kg in February when he was injured down to 83kg now.
“I also tried to increase my running speed,” he said. “This not only helped me bowl better but has also improved my fielding.”
Pakistan select Umar Akmal in T20I squad against West Indies
The Karachi pacer is eager to impress, especially with Sarfraz Ahmed — who led the Karachi Blues in the last National T20 — captaining the side.
“The players should own what they do — bowling is my job and I own it,” he said. “Playing under Sarfraz also helps as he motivates young players to play their own way.”
Raees has impressed in the National T20 Cup, bowling at critical periods at the start and end of the innings, and hopes the experience will hold him in good stead in the UAE. “The playing conditions in the UAE are similar to Pakistan’s,” he said, before adding that he is already doing his homework. “I have also been watching videos [of West Indian players] and planning how to tackle them,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2016.
Uncapped left-arm pacer Rumman Raees is set to make his international debut in the three-match T20I series against the West Indies in the UAE, and he is understandably eager to begin well.
The 24-year-old Raees was named in the recently announced T20I squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies. “I have been working hard for months and have proven myself in the ongoing National T20 Cup as well,” Raees told The Express Tribune.
Raees, who is representing Karachi Blues, was also picked for the World T20 squad and the Asia Cup but was then sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
“Playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) helped me a lot,” added Raees. “Every player dreams of playing in the World Cup but I got injured before I could realise that dream.”
My hard work finally paid off: Rumman Raees
But even that cruel blow turned out to have a silver lining. “I took that injury as a challenge. I began training and worked on my fitness,” he said. “During the PSL I had a bulky body and was a bit heavy, which was hampering my fitness. Since then I have reduced my weight.”
Raees was also a part of the fitness camp run by the army, where he worked on his fitness and his weight dropped from 91kg in February when he was injured down to 83kg now.
“I also tried to increase my running speed,” he said. “This not only helped me bowl better but has also improved my fielding.”
Pakistan select Umar Akmal in T20I squad against West Indies
The Karachi pacer is eager to impress, especially with Sarfraz Ahmed — who led the Karachi Blues in the last National T20 — captaining the side.
“The players should own what they do — bowling is my job and I own it,” he said. “Playing under Sarfraz also helps as he motivates young players to play their own way.”
Raees has impressed in the National T20 Cup, bowling at critical periods at the start and end of the innings, and hopes the experience will hold him in good stead in the UAE. “The playing conditions in the UAE are similar to Pakistan’s,” he said, before adding that he is already doing his homework. “I have also been watching videos [of West Indian players] and planning how to tackle them,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2016.