Cricket: Pasha rues missing out on bowling camp
Stress fracture robbed fast-bowler of a chance to impress Whatmore.
KARACHI:
Fast-bowler Ali Imran Pasha, who was named the best bowler in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 60 wickets in 11 matches, is disappointed at his luck after a knee stress fracture forced him out of the bowling camp that was held recently under the supervision of head coach Dav Whatmore.
Pasha was instrumental in PIA lifting the trophy in his first full season, spearheading the department’s bowling attack in the absence of Aizaz Cheema. All top performers of the season were asked to appear at the NCA by the selection committee in order for the coach to ascertain Pakistan’s bench strength.
“It was a great opportunity to make an impression in front of the coach,” Pasha told The Express Tribune. “Such chances don’t come regularly so it’s a huge opportunity that I missed due to bad luck.”
Pasha experienced pain in his left knee towards the end of the Quaid Trophy and was injured before the final. However, he opted to take part in the final despite severe pain.
“My injury aggravated as I played through pain because I didn’t want to miss the final after performing so well during the rest of the matches.”
The Gunjarawala-born bowler did not get time to recover as the Pentangular Cup followed and he suffered another injury. Subsequent scans revealed the fracture.
“I acted a bit emotionally to try and get into the national side and played through pain which led to the breakdown. That taught me a lesson that being fit is key and my focus is to get back to full fitness for the next season. If I can perform well in the next season, I may well be able to fulfil my dream of wearing Pakistan’s green cap.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.
Fast-bowler Ali Imran Pasha, who was named the best bowler in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 60 wickets in 11 matches, is disappointed at his luck after a knee stress fracture forced him out of the bowling camp that was held recently under the supervision of head coach Dav Whatmore.
Pasha was instrumental in PIA lifting the trophy in his first full season, spearheading the department’s bowling attack in the absence of Aizaz Cheema. All top performers of the season were asked to appear at the NCA by the selection committee in order for the coach to ascertain Pakistan’s bench strength.
“It was a great opportunity to make an impression in front of the coach,” Pasha told The Express Tribune. “Such chances don’t come regularly so it’s a huge opportunity that I missed due to bad luck.”
Pasha experienced pain in his left knee towards the end of the Quaid Trophy and was injured before the final. However, he opted to take part in the final despite severe pain.
“My injury aggravated as I played through pain because I didn’t want to miss the final after performing so well during the rest of the matches.”
The Gunjarawala-born bowler did not get time to recover as the Pentangular Cup followed and he suffered another injury. Subsequent scans revealed the fracture.
“I acted a bit emotionally to try and get into the national side and played through pain which led to the breakdown. That taught me a lesson that being fit is key and my focus is to get back to full fitness for the next season. If I can perform well in the next season, I may well be able to fulfil my dream of wearing Pakistan’s green cap.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2012.