Shehzad unmoved by captaincy link

Opener aims to make it among top-five batsmen in upcoming year.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s flamboyant opener Ahmed Shehzad – the consistent performer in last 12 months – has said that he is honoured to be linked with the national team’s Twenty20 (T20) captaincy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been looking at various options to replace Mohammad Hafeez, who stepped down following a poor World Twenty20 performance in Bangladesh as Pakistan perished during group stages for the first time in history.

Several names have popped up for the national team’s T20 captaincy, including fan-favourite Shahid Afridi, Shehzad and Umar Akmal. But so far, the board has not finalised the man who will lead Pakistan in the shortest format of the game.

“It’s an honour to represent Pakistan and it would be a dream come true for anyone to lead the national team,” Shehzad told The Express Tribune.

“I don’t want to get carried away with my name being linked to captaincy. As a professional, it is my duty to give 100% to my team and my country under any captain. My primary focus is to perform for Pakistan and win matches all other things are secondary.”

He revealed that he turned down offers to play T20 leagues in Dubai in order to carry out extensive training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has been practising in two sessions under senior coaches Ali Zia, Mansoor Rana, Haroon Rasheed and trainer Mohammad Yasir.

He opined that the NCA’s facilities are a blessing in disguise for players of Lahore as they can train and practice at a world class cricket facility.

‘I’m inspired by de Villiers’

Shehzad has turned his focus to AB de Villiers of South Africa, and is trying to mould himself like the Proteas batsman.

“De Villiers is a perfect role model for any youngster because he is the best all-round player in the world right now; be it the technical, mental or physical aspect of the game. I’m trying to achieve that level so that I become a genuine match-winner for my country.

“His mind works faster than anybody, which is why his execution is perfect in batting and fielding. He is always thinking one step ahead.”

Disappointed with World T20 campaign: Shehzad

Young Shehzad expressed his disappointment over the World Twenty20 disaster despite scoring a century in the event against Bangladesh.

“Personally, I wasn’t satisfied with our performance because we wanted to win the tournament,” he said.

“I scored a century but I would’ve been more pleased if I had given the same kind of performance against the West Indies and helped Pakistan become champions.

“I always wanted to be the top player and my confidence is increasing after scoring centuries in almost every series or tournament in the last five assignments.

“My short-term aim is to break into top-five batsmen list in all three formats of the games in next 12 months,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st,  2014.

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