[EXCLUSIVE] "Cricket has become too commercialized": Samiullah Niazi

[FearlessRoar]

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion, former Pakistan fast bowler Samiullah Niazi joins Saj to discuss the challenges facing Pakistan's fast bowling attack and domestic cricket. He highlights how injuries have impacted his international career despite strong domestic performances and stresses the decline in fast bowling standards.

He urges young bowlers to prioritize red-ball cricket over T20 leagues and advocates for better fitness regimes to prevent injuries. He also calls for improvements in domestic structures to produce world-class talent and shares his thoughts on emerging pacers like Akif Javed, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and technical guidance for the next generation of fast bowlers.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Samiullah Niazi's role as a coach in the PCB: Discusses his approach as a coach with the PCB, focusing on mentoring young fast bowlers and developing Pakistan’s future cricketing talent.

Reasons behind his limited international appearances: Reflects on his career, shares the factors including injuries and missed opportunities, that limited his appearances for Pakistan despite strong domestic performances.

The lack of quality players in domestic cricket: Addresses the systemic issues within Pakistan's domestic cricket structure, explaining why quality players are harder to find and the impact on the national team.

The trend of fast bowlers prioritizing league cricket over traditional formats: He critiques the growing trend of fast bowlers focusing more on T20 leagues and the consequences it has on their red-ball skills and overall development.

Factors contributing to the declining standard of Pakistan cricket: Shares his perspective on the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, including lack of infrastructure, management issues, and the waning focus on traditional formats.

The diminishing value of red-ball cricket among fast bowlers: Discusses why many fast bowlers in Pakistan overlook the importance of red-ball cricket and the long-term impact on their careers and the team.

Emerging pacers who could make an impact on Pakistan cricket: Identifies and discusses the potential of young pacers like Akif Javed, who could shape the future of Pakistan's fast-bowling attack.

The decline of Test cricket in Pakistan: Talks about the diminishing importance of Test cricket in Pakistan and suggests ways to revive its popularity and competitiveness in the country.

Watch the full interview here:

 

[Major]

A towering figure for SNGPL. Should had played more games for Pakistan, he indeed had an amazing domestic record.

I liked how Misbah used him as a bowler during the end part of his career. Played crucial moments for Wolves and SNGPL, but sadly by the time PSL started, Sami was too old

 

[Major]

Go to cricinfo right now, and pull out his 2017 and 2016 performance when he was at his end date. Guy still was taking crazy amount of wickets.

Imran Khans vision of reuducing first class teams made this guy a victim aswell

 

[Rana]

Go to cricinfo right now, and pull out his 2017 and 2016 performance when he was at his end date. Guy still was taking crazy amount of wickets.

Imran Khans vision of reuducing first class teams made this guy a victim aswell

But Misbah’s vision also decapitated the growth of Pakistan cricket as well.

 

[Farabi]

A towering figure for SNGPL. Should had played more games for Pakistan, he indeed had an amazing domestic record.

I liked how Misbah used him as a bowler during the end part of his career. Played crucial moments for Wolves and SNGPL, but sadly by the time PSL started, Sami was too old

Misbah didn’t know his talent? He was the captain of Pakistan team and he couldn’t bring him in the test team?

 

[Farabi]

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion, former Pakistan fast bowler Samiullah Niazi joins Saj to discuss the challenges facing Pakistan's fast bowling attack and domestic cricket. He highlights how injuries have impacted his international career despite strong domestic performances and stresses the decline in fast bowling standards.

He urges young bowlers to prioritize red-ball cricket over T20 leagues and advocates for better fitness regimes to prevent injuries. He also calls for improvements in domestic structures to produce world-class talent and shares his thoughts on emerging pacers like Akif Javed, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and technical guidance for the next generation of fast bowlers.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Samiullah Niazi's role as a coach in the PCB: Discusses his approach as a coach with the PCB, focusing on mentoring young fast bowlers and developing Pakistan’s future cricketing talent.

Reasons behind his limited international appearances: Reflects on his career, shares the factors including injuries and missed opportunities, that limited his appearances for Pakistan despite strong domestic performances.

The lack of quality players in domestic cricket: Addresses the systemic issues within Pakistan's domestic cricket structure, explaining why quality players are harder to find and the impact on the national team.

The trend of fast bowlers prioritizing league cricket over traditional formats: He critiques the growing trend of fast bowlers focusing more on T20 leagues and the consequences it has on their red-ball skills and overall development.

Factors contributing to the declining standard of Pakistan cricket: Shares his perspective on the challenges facing Pakistan cricket, including lack of infrastructure, management issues, and the waning focus on traditional formats.

The diminishing value of red-ball cricket among fast bowlers: Discusses why many fast bowlers in Pakistan overlook the importance of red-ball cricket and the long-term impact on their careers and the team.

Emerging pacers who could make an impact on Pakistan cricket: Identifies and discusses the potential of young pacers like Akif Javed, who could shape the future of Pakistan's fast-bowling attack.

The decline of Test cricket in Pakistan: Talks about the diminishing importance of Test cricket in Pakistan and suggests ways to revive its popularity and competitiveness in the country.

Watch the full interview here:

What a doom-and-gloom interview!

1. Once again, we heard the tired myth that every domestic team used to have 3-4 pacers consistently bowling 90 MPH. If there are 10 teams, that would mean 40 bowlers hitting those speeds regularly. Does that sound even remotely realistic? And since when did domestic cricket have speed guns? This kind of narrative is not just misleading—it’s harmful. I’d wager that all the SENA teams combined today don’t have 40 bowlers clocking 90 MPH.

2. Then there was the repetitive questioning about whether Pakistan’s team and first-class system are in decline. The same question was rephrased multiple times, and Samiullah kept disagreeing—and rightly so. He pointed out valid positives, like our ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa, and the emergence of promising new pacers. The discussion could have left viewers with a sense of progress, but instead, it risked leaving them depressed.

This series could seriously benefit from a dedicated research team to bring depth to the conversation. Proper research would ensure questions are thoughtful, relevant, and not based on flimsy assumptions or myths. Here’s a list of questions that could add real value:

1. What kind of access do our fast bowlers have to injury rehab facilities and biomechanics labs?
2. How do you identify talent for the Markhors? What specific skills do you look for? What skills are you developing now?
3. What are Akif Javed’s strengths, and how close is he to national selection? What areas does he need to improve?
4. What makes Jahandad special enough to debut after just one year? What work was done to prepare him?
5. Do our fast bowlers have access to pitches and balls that support their development?
6. How can we motivate young players to take up red-ball cricket? Should we adopt England-style fast-bowling contracts?
7. Who, in your opinion, should be in Pakistan’s fast-bowling pipeline moving forward?

 

[Major]

Misbah didn’t know his talent? He was the captain of Pakistan team and he couldn’t bring him in the test team?

Sami was Misbahs main go to bowler for all formats. However issue was Samis peak was 2005 to 2009. And when Misbah became captain Sami was not being considered by selectors.

He was close to get a call up along with Asif Ali as well somewhere around 2012 or 2013 i think (not sure the year). But selectors, particularly Iqbal Qasim was quite against him.

The whole issue revolved around the fact that our test were in UAE and we were not going to play more than 2 pacers.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Can we talk about this interview ??? Misbah has nothing to do with this interview...

 

[Markhor]

Sami was Misbahs main go to bowler for all formats. However issue was Samis peak was 2005 to 2009. And when Misbah became captain Sami was not being considered by selectors.

He was close to get a call up along with Asif Ali as well somewhere around 2012 or 2013 i think (not sure the year). But selectors, particularly Iqbal Qasim was quite against him.

The whole issue revolved around the fact that our test were in UAE and we were not going to play more than 2 pacers.

Believe it or not I had his autograph.

Samiullah was called up during the 2006 tour of England when our frontline pacers were injured.

Think that's the closest he ever got to making the Test side.

 

[sweep_shot]

Yes.

Overcommercialization and petty politics. These two have ruined cricket.

BCCICC needs to return to being ICC.