Taufeeq wants to play for another seven years

Left-hander aims to cross 6,000-run mark in Test cricket

KARACHI: Restricted to just the longest form of the game, Pakistan opener Taufeeq Umar wants to pass the 6,000-run mark before hanging up his boots.

Taufeeq averages just under 40 with the bat and although his recent form has been poor – 87 runs in the three-Test series against England – his century against Bangladesh and a career-best 236 against Sri Lanka last year helped him cement his place in the playing-eleven.

He even rates his double-century as the ‘highlight’ of his career that gives him ‘great satisfaction’. Now, having played 40 Tests, Taufeeq’s confidence, and maturity with the bat, seems to have gone up.

“I’ve got several good innings under my belt and those have given me the confidence of staying in the middle for longer while also scoring runs in pressure situations,” Taufeeq told The Express Tribune. “The more you stay on the pitch, the more you learn to tackle dodgy situations. I believe I’ve also been maturing gradually and that’s why I want to score atleast 6,000 runs in Tests before retiring.”

Taufeeq, aiming for another six to seven years in top flight, also wants a proper shot at limited-overs cricket, especially after his aggressive show in the recently concluded Super Eights T20 Cup where he was the Eagles’ top-scorer with 138 runs at a strike-rate of 132.

Growing up as a left-handed opener, Taufeeq was spoilt for choice when choosing between Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail as his idol.

“Just like many left-handers of my generation, I grew up watching both these classy players and it was always difficult for me to pick between the two. Sohail, however, has nudged ahead ever-so-slightly because of his support. Former players criticise a lot when things don’t really go your way but Sohail has been the one who has helped me by providing the required solutions to my weaknesses.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2012.