Cricket: If Malik and Farhat can get in, why can't I, asks Sami
Pacer questions his omission despite good domestic shows.
KARACHI:
Discarded fast-bowler Mohammad Sami has questioned his repeated snub from the national squad despite performing well on the domestic circuit.
Sami, currently representing Duronto Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was also of the view that while other senior players – including former captain Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat – were included in the national side, his was a deserved inclusion.
"I've performed outstandingly but am still out of the squad," Sami told The Express Tribune from Dhaka. "On the other hand, Malik was included in the national team despite hitting just one century in domestic events, while Farhat has failed to justify his inclusion despite the various chances he's been given. Both of them are in the national squad."
The selection committee is headed by Mohammad Ilyas, who is Farhat's father-in law, while Azhar Khan, Asif Baloch and Farrukh Zaman are assisting him.
Sami, who captained Karachi Blues in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, was in fine form during the tournament, picking up 39 wickets at an average of 19.8, while scoring 579 runs. He carried his good run into the Pentangular Cup, bagging 17 wickets in two matches before leaving for BPL, where he registered the event's first hat-trick. Despite his consistent show, Sami has been ignored for national duty since November 2010, something which has left him perplexed.
"I've done well everywhere, I don't know what the selectors want from me now. If there's any other event they want me to play and perform in, it should be brought into my notice. The new chairman Zaka Ashraf should take notice of the injustice I've been subjected to."
'Sami's in the form of his life'
Meanwhile, former selector Saleem Jaffar, who is currently coaching Sindh, also believes that the national selection committee is making a big mistake by overlooking Sami.
"He's in the form of his life and can still play for Pakistan for another four years," he said. "He has superb fitness levels. Other bowlers can't match Sami's pace."
Jaffar also believed that Sami was capable of playing as an all-rounder in the one-day format if given the responsibility.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2012.
Discarded fast-bowler Mohammad Sami has questioned his repeated snub from the national squad despite performing well on the domestic circuit.
Sami, currently representing Duronto Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was also of the view that while other senior players – including former captain Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat – were included in the national side, his was a deserved inclusion.
"I've performed outstandingly but am still out of the squad," Sami told The Express Tribune from Dhaka. "On the other hand, Malik was included in the national team despite hitting just one century in domestic events, while Farhat has failed to justify his inclusion despite the various chances he's been given. Both of them are in the national squad."
The selection committee is headed by Mohammad Ilyas, who is Farhat's father-in law, while Azhar Khan, Asif Baloch and Farrukh Zaman are assisting him.
Sami, who captained Karachi Blues in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, was in fine form during the tournament, picking up 39 wickets at an average of 19.8, while scoring 579 runs. He carried his good run into the Pentangular Cup, bagging 17 wickets in two matches before leaving for BPL, where he registered the event's first hat-trick. Despite his consistent show, Sami has been ignored for national duty since November 2010, something which has left him perplexed.
"I've done well everywhere, I don't know what the selectors want from me now. If there's any other event they want me to play and perform in, it should be brought into my notice. The new chairman Zaka Ashraf should take notice of the injustice I've been subjected to."
'Sami's in the form of his life'
Meanwhile, former selector Saleem Jaffar, who is currently coaching Sindh, also believes that the national selection committee is making a big mistake by overlooking Sami.
"He's in the form of his life and can still play for Pakistan for another four years," he said. "He has superb fitness levels. Other bowlers can't match Sami's pace."
Jaffar also believed that Sami was capable of playing as an all-rounder in the one-day format if given the responsibility.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2012.