- Joined
- Apr 13, 2025
- Runs
- 6,964
In this exclusive interview, Usman Salahuddin – one of Pakistan's most prolific first-class batters with over 10,000 runs at an average of 44 – opens up about a career that earned him just one Test cap despite 28 centuries and 56 fifties. The 18‑year domestic veteran reflects on Pakistan's selection politics, the collapse of red‑ball standards, and why young players are fleeing the system.
Key revelations include:
• "Liking‑disliking is still destroying Pakistan's cricket" – He emphasizes that selection often hinges on who likes you rather than your consistency. Even after scoring 1,000 runs in a single domestic season multiple times, he was continuously overlooked.
• "Four‑day matches finishing in two days – how will your batsmen improve?" – He heavily criticizes the recent trend of creating overly bowler-friendly tracks where teams are bowled out for 40 to 70 runs, ending four-day matches in just two days. He argues that this deprives batsmen of developing the necessary temperament and patience required for international red-ball cricket.
• "No one wants to play four‑day cricket for Rs. 30,000 match fee" – He explicitly calls out the low match fees for the grueling four-day format (~₹70,000 per match) compared to the instant fame and high payouts of T20 leagues like the PSL. As a consequence, younger players actively avoid developing solid defensive techniques.
• "Whoever hits two sixes, we say he is a very good player. This is not modern day cricket." – Selectors are increasingly picking Test players based on a couple of good hitting performances in T20s, which fails on the international stage where true batting merit is tested.
• "Upcoming players are leaving Pakistan's cricket for America, England, Zimbabwe" – When young players see that immense hard work and consistent domestic performance yield absolutely no rewards, they lose hope in the Pakistani system. As a direct result, they are choosing to quit Pakistan cricket entirely and move abroad to places like the United States, England, or Zimbabwe to pursue their cricket careers where they feel their talent and efforts will be fairly recognized and rewarded.
• "Saim Ayub's focus has gone towards his bowling" – He subtly highlights players like Saim Ayub, noting that while highly talented, their focus can easily get diverted (such as into bowling), leading to inconsistent performances.
• "If you have faced 150‑200 balls, then only you can learn something" – He notes that true mastery only comes when a batsman can stay at the crease to face 150–200 balls and construct massive innings of 150+ runs.
• "I didn't see any upcoming bowler in domestic cricket" – When asked who the toughest bowler in Pakistan's domestic circuit has been over his 18-year career, he instantly names Mohammad Abbas, citing him as the only consistent threat who truly tests a batsman’s limits in red-ball cricket. He notes a worrying lack of upcoming bowling talent with the immediate impact of past greats like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
Key revelations include:
• "Liking‑disliking is still destroying Pakistan's cricket" – He emphasizes that selection often hinges on who likes you rather than your consistency. Even after scoring 1,000 runs in a single domestic season multiple times, he was continuously overlooked.
• "Four‑day matches finishing in two days – how will your batsmen improve?" – He heavily criticizes the recent trend of creating overly bowler-friendly tracks where teams are bowled out for 40 to 70 runs, ending four-day matches in just two days. He argues that this deprives batsmen of developing the necessary temperament and patience required for international red-ball cricket.
• "No one wants to play four‑day cricket for Rs. 30,000 match fee" – He explicitly calls out the low match fees for the grueling four-day format (~₹70,000 per match) compared to the instant fame and high payouts of T20 leagues like the PSL. As a consequence, younger players actively avoid developing solid defensive techniques.
• "Whoever hits two sixes, we say he is a very good player. This is not modern day cricket." – Selectors are increasingly picking Test players based on a couple of good hitting performances in T20s, which fails on the international stage where true batting merit is tested.
• "Upcoming players are leaving Pakistan's cricket for America, England, Zimbabwe" – When young players see that immense hard work and consistent domestic performance yield absolutely no rewards, they lose hope in the Pakistani system. As a direct result, they are choosing to quit Pakistan cricket entirely and move abroad to places like the United States, England, or Zimbabwe to pursue their cricket careers where they feel their talent and efforts will be fairly recognized and rewarded.
• "Saim Ayub's focus has gone towards his bowling" – He subtly highlights players like Saim Ayub, noting that while highly talented, their focus can easily get diverted (such as into bowling), leading to inconsistent performances.
• "If you have faced 150‑200 balls, then only you can learn something" – He notes that true mastery only comes when a batsman can stay at the crease to face 150–200 balls and construct massive innings of 150+ runs.
• "I didn't see any upcoming bowler in domestic cricket" – When asked who the toughest bowler in Pakistan's domestic circuit has been over his 18-year career, he instantly names Mohammad Abbas, citing him as the only consistent threat who truly tests a batsman’s limits in red-ball cricket. He notes a worrying lack of upcoming bowling talent with the immediate impact of past greats like Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, or Naseem Shah.
Watch full interview with Saj here:
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