Not desperate to wear green again: Azhar Mahmood
All-rounder Mahmood needs assurance before considering playing for Pakistan.
KARACHI:
All-rounder Azhar Mahmood has said he will not blindly follow directives of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee and will look into the pros and cons before making a return to the side if recalled for the forthcoming tour of India.
According to reports, the seasoned campaigner, who has not been a part of the Pakistan team since the 2007 World Cup, has returned to the selectors’ good books as they mull over selection for the short limited-overs series against archrivals India in December and January.
The 37-year old has shown exceptional performances in various Twenty20 leagues besides his county stint over the years. Recently, Mahmood represented Auckland and was among the leading performers in the Champions League T20, finishing as the second highest wicket-taker (10 wickets) besides scoring 160 runs from five matches.
However, the all-rounder, who became a British citizen last year, said that while playing for Pakistan was still his priority, he was not desperate to don the national colours.
“I’ve heard my name is under consideration,” Mahmood told The Express Tribune. “It’s an honour for me but I’m not sure if I will agree to come for just one series. I’ll need a concrete offer to make up my mind as I haven’t forgotten what happened to me. I am not a youngster anymore and at the twilight of my career, I will have to ensure a secure future.
“My contract with my county and other T20 leagues will be at stake and it won’t be wise to put everything at stake for just one series.”
All-rounder rues ‘ordeal’ from PCB
The all-rounder lamented that he was sidelined from the team ‘without any reason’.
“What was my fault? I just played a single match in the World Cup and was sidelined afterwards. I’ve been performing consistently at various levels since but nobody considered me for a place, while other players were selected on basis of their league performances.”
He argued the impression that he was kept out due to his absence from domestic cricket.
“I just missed last year’s season but featured in the previous years. I performed in 2010 and kept on calling the then selection committee but nobody listened.”
Big Bash talks underway
Meanwhile, Mahmood said talks were underway for a contract in Australia’s Big Bash event.
“Talks are underway with its organisers and I will play the event if things are confirmed.”
Speaking on the Pakistan-India series, the all-rounder termed it a good omen for the game and for relations between the two countries.
“It’s a good development as cricket series between the two countries is very important just like the Ashes is for England and Australia.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2012.
All-rounder Azhar Mahmood has said he will not blindly follow directives of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee and will look into the pros and cons before making a return to the side if recalled for the forthcoming tour of India.
According to reports, the seasoned campaigner, who has not been a part of the Pakistan team since the 2007 World Cup, has returned to the selectors’ good books as they mull over selection for the short limited-overs series against archrivals India in December and January.
The 37-year old has shown exceptional performances in various Twenty20 leagues besides his county stint over the years. Recently, Mahmood represented Auckland and was among the leading performers in the Champions League T20, finishing as the second highest wicket-taker (10 wickets) besides scoring 160 runs from five matches.
However, the all-rounder, who became a British citizen last year, said that while playing for Pakistan was still his priority, he was not desperate to don the national colours.
“I’ve heard my name is under consideration,” Mahmood told The Express Tribune. “It’s an honour for me but I’m not sure if I will agree to come for just one series. I’ll need a concrete offer to make up my mind as I haven’t forgotten what happened to me. I am not a youngster anymore and at the twilight of my career, I will have to ensure a secure future.
“My contract with my county and other T20 leagues will be at stake and it won’t be wise to put everything at stake for just one series.”
All-rounder rues ‘ordeal’ from PCB
The all-rounder lamented that he was sidelined from the team ‘without any reason’.
“What was my fault? I just played a single match in the World Cup and was sidelined afterwards. I’ve been performing consistently at various levels since but nobody considered me for a place, while other players were selected on basis of their league performances.”
He argued the impression that he was kept out due to his absence from domestic cricket.
“I just missed last year’s season but featured in the previous years. I performed in 2010 and kept on calling the then selection committee but nobody listened.”
Big Bash talks underway
Meanwhile, Mahmood said talks were underway for a contract in Australia’s Big Bash event.
“Talks are underway with its organisers and I will play the event if things are confirmed.”
Speaking on the Pakistan-India series, the all-rounder termed it a good omen for the game and for relations between the two countries.
“It’s a good development as cricket series between the two countries is very important just like the Ashes is for England and Australia.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2012.