On my Hundred on Test Debut


I remember I got out very cheaply in the first innings and I prayed to God to grant me a good innings in the second innings. I was also mindful that General (Tauqir) sahib had supported me a great deal since my ODI innings at Karachi and had ensured I played that Test match. Thanks to God I made a hundred in that innings and established my place.

On problems in my technique

Critics of my technique have not always been wrong. I admit it was not perfect in the first few months that I played. But these people should realize that after about a year and a half it was mostly Yousuf Youhana and myself that were the mainstays in most matches. I have scored regularly in both forms of cricket. And quite some high scores also. Perhaps I have not made myself a show man and these scores have gone largely unnoticed by the people. After all you remember mostly those who create a lot of scenes in the middle. But it is not in me to become a showman on the field.

On how he spent the past one year


I have never lost hope at any stage of my career. I know I will keep getting opportunities if I keep fit and score runs more often than not. In fact, in 2003 I myself asked my skipper, Rashid bhai, to rest me in a few Test matches. Part reason was some family commitments and the other was to give some youngsters chance to come up for the vacant positions as the Pakistan side was undergoing rebuilding phase. Rest also benefits those of us who play non stop cricket. You have seen some senior players opting out of series saying they want to rest so it shouldn’t be taken as disinterest, as long as it is taken against weaker teams.

Maybe it was the wrong thing to do, and everyone advised me not to miss the opening Tests against Bangladesh. But I think it was the right thing to do though it would not be wrong to say that I lost my place in the Test side as others benefited through runs.

On views that he bats slow in ODIs and has got only one hundred in over 100 ODIs.

Well, look at my strike rate. It is one of the highest. I mostly score around run a ball. Also remember I bat lower down on most occasions. I believe I will score runs if I am given a consistent run. If most of the time I end up with 15 overs I will only get so many; you see, I am not Razzaq or Afridi that I start attempting sixes on going in

On chances of his return in the coming home contests

I have never become despondent. Yes, I feel there have been times I have been sidelined. There has been more pressure on me to perform than some others. But I will continue to take it on the chin. No one wants to be out of the team. But I tell myself that I will of course return again and again. How long can they keep me out of the team?

On what makes a good captain

He should be a role model. He should know most things about all aspects of the game. First he should be a good player. Second, he should know how to communicate well with players and yet keep his stature and distance. Third, he should be brave and tough to keep his cool in most situations.

On how to improve the system in Pakistan

Bring domestic cricket on television. It is as simple as that. Good players are playing from smaller cities and districts but no one sees them or notices them. Only big scores are not an indication of long term talent.

On how to encourage promising youngsters

First tell him that he can do anything. Make him into a positive minded person. Second don’t criticize too much of his technical weakness. Some aspects will never be according to the textbook. Lara got 400 in a Test but look from where he brings his bat and how he jumps across his stumps. Yet he scores a bucketful of runs. In the Australian side all from Hayden, Pomtign and Martyn have different techniques and approach, but none tells them to play like each other or like one of them. The thing is to keep it simple. Plan your shots according to the bowler and choose whom to attack and whom to play safe. The other thing is to take their fitness to the extreme. The third is to have a back up plan for the player if he is struggling at times. Keep giving him full opportunity, and consistently, before you opt for someone else in his position.

Advice to parents

Make sure that their sons play any sport for at least two hours every day. The thing today is that there are computers everywhere, then there are cable TV, SMS Meassaging through mobile phones and what not. This is taking the young people away from healthy activities like sport and fitness. Parents must take a lead and keep a balance in their children’s lives.

On his options of playing in other countries domestic circuits

At this stage of my career I wouldn’t mind offers to play in county cricket as the level of competition is very good and there are a lot of matches. League cricket in England means weak attacks and about once a week. You can get better competition and lots more money by playing a few matches in Bangladesh. But I don think in terms of money. I want to keep playing against good bowling to keep improving my game.

On academies that are sprouting around the country

I am not in favour of those academies that call in kids for a couple of hours a few days a week. I see that there are some academies running with famous names who occasionally drop in for a little while now and then. After all you study six hours a day for twenty years in schools and colleges before you get a degree of specialization. An academy can only work when I spend a lot of time with each kid, communicate at their mental level and then bring them up over a period of a year or two.

So what should be the ideal academy

Just like a university. Students should come planning for a year or two and preferably stay there, like in Australia. Students should work together and find out what is teamwork, how to help each other. Cricketers should come into the Pakistan side already knowing what are the basics of fitness and fielding and mental strength, not just how to bat and ball. Cricket is more than just that.