Sami rearing to rejoin national team
Pakistan’s fastest pacer concentrating on domestic matches to stay in form.
Mohammad Sami at a training camp in Gadaffi Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s current fastest bowler Mohammad Sami, who was overlooked for the important tour of South Africa, said he will continue to work hard in domestic cricket in order to regain his place in the national side.
After the retirement of Shoaib Akhtar, Sami has been the quickest of all the present bowlers. However, medium pacers Tanvir Ahmed, Ehsan Adil and Rahat Ali were selected ahead of him for the ongoing tour.
Some former cricketers were also vocal in their criticism of the selection committee for not selecting Sami and Wahab Riaz for the Test series as they felt that Pakistan’s pace battery was packed with mediocre players.
“Pakistan has several tours in the coming 18 months so I’ll continue doing well in domestic cricket to earn a recall,” Sami told The Express Tribune.
“It was a disappointment to miss out on the South Africa tour because the wickets there are really helpful to fast-bowlers. However, now I need to look ahead and I’m concentrating on doing well in the ongoing Faysal Bank One-Day Cup.”
Sami had a good start in the domestic one-day event as he took three wickets to help the Karachi Dolphins win their first match emphatically.
He had done reasonably well on his last comeback against Sri Lanka last year where he took four wickets in two Twenty20s, following up with three wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI).
However, he sustained an injury in the match and he was not played in the next three matches despite being fit for the third and fourth ODIs.
The player stressed that he wanted to make a strong comeback as he felt that he still had a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket.
“The last time I played against Sri Lanka, I was in a very good frame of mind and went on to do well. My confidence was increasing before I got injured and then the last ODI overshadowed my good showing in the series.
“But I’m still eager for an impressive return. I will try to give my best in the domestic tournaments and hope that the selectors will provide me with an opportunity.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2013.
Pakistan’s current fastest bowler Mohammad Sami, who was overlooked for the important tour of South Africa, said he will continue to work hard in domestic cricket in order to regain his place in the national side.
After the retirement of Shoaib Akhtar, Sami has been the quickest of all the present bowlers. However, medium pacers Tanvir Ahmed, Ehsan Adil and Rahat Ali were selected ahead of him for the ongoing tour.
Some former cricketers were also vocal in their criticism of the selection committee for not selecting Sami and Wahab Riaz for the Test series as they felt that Pakistan’s pace battery was packed with mediocre players.
“Pakistan has several tours in the coming 18 months so I’ll continue doing well in domestic cricket to earn a recall,” Sami told The Express Tribune.
“It was a disappointment to miss out on the South Africa tour because the wickets there are really helpful to fast-bowlers. However, now I need to look ahead and I’m concentrating on doing well in the ongoing Faysal Bank One-Day Cup.”
Sami had a good start in the domestic one-day event as he took three wickets to help the Karachi Dolphins win their first match emphatically.
He had done reasonably well on his last comeback against Sri Lanka last year where he took four wickets in two Twenty20s, following up with three wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI).
However, he sustained an injury in the match and he was not played in the next three matches despite being fit for the third and fourth ODIs.
The player stressed that he wanted to make a strong comeback as he felt that he still had a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket.
“The last time I played against Sri Lanka, I was in a very good frame of mind and went on to do well. My confidence was increasing before I got injured and then the last ODI overshadowed my good showing in the series.
“But I’m still eager for an impressive return. I will try to give my best in the domestic tournaments and hope that the selectors will provide me with an opportunity.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2013.