Cricket: Youngsters delighted with chance on home soil
Shafiq, Raja happy to finally experience the nerves.
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s young cricketers, who never got a chance to play international matches on home soil, were delighted to finally get a moment of action in front of their home crowd, courtesy the match between Pakistan All Stars XI and the International World XI.
Talented batsman Asad Shafiq is one of the cricketers who made his debut after the Lahore attack in 2009.
The 26-year old said that the two exhibition matches on his home ground will quench his thirst to play top action on home soil.
“It is a delightful moment of my career,” Asad said, ahead of the opening match against the International World XI. The middle-order batsman, who has played 16 Tests, 35 One-Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 internationals, said the feeling of playing on home soil remained a curiosity for him for years.
“I always asked my seniors how it felt playing at home,” said Asad. “I asked them about the feeling of pressure and jubilation on winning matches at home. I am very happy that I’ve finally got a chance to play on my home ground with some big names in the game. It’s a very good step taken by the organisers and I am also thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for their support.”
Young batsman Rameez Raja, who has played two Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan, felt fortunate to be part of the team.
“It is a great moment for me,” said Rameez. “I am new at this stage and playing with the top names of cricket is a huge boost. I will learn a lot by playing in these matches. I am eager to play in front of my home crowd which is one of my dreams.”
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz said the matches will help create a soft message to the outside world, adding that the success of these matches will help the country revive international cricket. Left-handed Nasir Jamshed said he wanted to provide thrilling action to home fans.
“I am looking forward to good action and haveprepared hard for it,” said Jamshed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012.
Pakistan’s young cricketers, who never got a chance to play international matches on home soil, were delighted to finally get a moment of action in front of their home crowd, courtesy the match between Pakistan All Stars XI and the International World XI.
Talented batsman Asad Shafiq is one of the cricketers who made his debut after the Lahore attack in 2009.
The 26-year old said that the two exhibition matches on his home ground will quench his thirst to play top action on home soil.
“It is a delightful moment of my career,” Asad said, ahead of the opening match against the International World XI. The middle-order batsman, who has played 16 Tests, 35 One-Day Internationals and 10 Twenty20 internationals, said the feeling of playing on home soil remained a curiosity for him for years.
“I always asked my seniors how it felt playing at home,” said Asad. “I asked them about the feeling of pressure and jubilation on winning matches at home. I am very happy that I’ve finally got a chance to play on my home ground with some big names in the game. It’s a very good step taken by the organisers and I am also thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for their support.”
Young batsman Rameez Raja, who has played two Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan, felt fortunate to be part of the team.
“It is a great moment for me,” said Rameez. “I am new at this stage and playing with the top names of cricket is a huge boost. I will learn a lot by playing in these matches. I am eager to play in front of my home crowd which is one of my dreams.”
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz said the matches will help create a soft message to the outside world, adding that the success of these matches will help the country revive international cricket. Left-handed Nasir Jamshed said he wanted to provide thrilling action to home fans.
“I am looking forward to good action and haveprepared hard for it,” said Jamshed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012.