[EXCLUSIVE] "I don't have any regrets about moving to the USA": Sami Aslam

[Ball Blazer]

In this exclusive interview, former Pakistan U19 captain and batsman Sami Aslam opens up about his career shift from Pakistan cricket to life in the United States. He details the reality of his Major League Cricket contract, his successful transition into business as a used car dealership owner in California, and his thoughts on a potential return to domestic cricket. Aslam also provides a candid critique of the player pathway in Pakistan, compares development systems internationally, and shares his advice for the current generation of U19 stars.

Key revelations include:

•⁠ ⁠On his USA move: "The purpose of going to the USA was financial." – Sami moved to the USA on an MLC contract that later shifted to a tournament-based system, prompting him to seek long-term financial stability beyond cricket. He now runs a used car dealership in California.

•⁠ ⁠On contract reality: "Your direct contact will be with the Major League team." – After his initial contract with MLC expired, the structure shifted to a tournament-by-tournament basis, leaving him without a fixed annual salary. Sami has explained the payment structure he had to cope with.

•⁠ ⁠On no regrets: "I don't have any regrets... I think I am very satisfied with my decision." – Despite fans' disappointment over his departure from Pakistan, Sami states he has no regrets. He feels his business is flourishing in ways cricket couldn't match financially, and he is nearing US citizenship

•⁠ ⁠On business success: "My business is doing very well. Which can't match cricket financially." –He also feels that the current USA Cricket structure and contracts aren't as appealing compared to his business opportunities.

•⁠ ⁠On Pakistan's system: "There is no pathway in Pakistan." – While praising the recent success of the Pakistan U-19 team (like winning the Asia Cup), Sami notes a lack of a clear "pathway" for these players to transition into the senior team.

•⁠ ⁠On a systemic issue: "If you don't greet a person who is in power, he won't let you play." – He critiqued the system for favoring "hype" and single performances in leagues like the PSL over consistent long-term performers in first-class cricket.

•⁠ ⁠On U19 talent: "Our talent is still excellent at under-19 level." – He advises the current U-19 players to enjoy the moment and focus on winning the World Cup rather than worrying about future politics or international selection too early.

Watch full interview with Saj here:

 

[Rafale Nidhal Fan]

good for him, good luck to him

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Scourge of nepotism as ruined so many careers in Pakistan. Sami Aslam was easily the better of Shan Masood. Fawad Alam, Ahmed Shahzad (for Tests), Sami Aslam the list goes on..

 

[pakistani pride]

Good for him.

 

[SM1989]

He wasn’t that great. I still remember the 12 off 51 balls he scored against england in 2016 Oval test when chasing a target of 40. England had given up on the match and were using Joe Root and Moeen Ali to bowl. Poor stuff

 

[Hellion]

It's a shame this teenage prodigy has left Pakistan cricket forever.

What a precocious 19 year talent he was at age group level

 

[shaz619]

I wouldn’t either, look at the state of the team during the time he left.

 

[pakistani pride]

I wouldn’t either, look at the state of the team during the time he left.

Well he was not that good either, very timid player.
Average of 31 and a SR of 39 is just not good enough.

 

[shaz619]

Well he was not that good either, very timid player.
Average of 31 and a SR of 39 is just not good enough.

He had potential in Tests & could deal with lateral movement better than most Pak players around the time & he was good against spin to. It’s bizarre going by numbers during a period when he was hardly a settled player, that’s not the return on a player Pakistan invested in, but one they were happy to disregard ahead of their excellent bench strength….

 

[pakistani pride]

He had potential in Tests & could deal with lateral movement better than most Pak players around the time & he was good against spin to. It’s bizarre going by numbers during a period when he was hardly a settled player, that’s not the return on a player Pakistan invested in, but one they were happy to disregard ahead of their excellent bench strength….He had 25 innings to show his quality. only 7 fifty plus scores and 0 hundreds. even in tests a SR of 39 is abysmal and like i said he seemed very timid. even in FC his average is well below 40 with a sr of 46.

He had 25 innings to prove himself and honestly didn’t do much with them. Only 7 fifty-plus scores and not a single hundred. Even in Tests, a strike rate of 39 is poor, he just looked way too timid at the crease. And if you look at his first-class record, it doesn’t really show a lot, average under 40 and a SR of 46. Hard to argue that those numbers show a quality player that Pak missed out on.

 

[shaz619]

He had 25 innings to prove himself and honestly didn’t do much with them. Only 7 fifty-plus scores and not a single hundred. Even in Tests, a strike rate of 39 is poor, he just looked way too timid at the crease. And if you look at his first-class record, it doesn’t really show a lot, average under 40 and a SR of 46. Hard to argue that those numbers show a quality player that Pak missed out on.

He never got the chance to properly settle into the team, he was a young player then and discarding him after 10 or so Tests is harsh, especially when a decent chunk of those games took place in tough overseas conditions, add to that he didn’t have the luxury of playing in Pakistan either. He showed me enough during his debut tour of England to deserve more of an investment, and especially a much bigger rope in friendly conditions to establish himself. You look at some of our premier players now and they are sitting ducks on difficult pitches, Sami may not have been the answer to every question but had the talent & potential evidently, to help solidify the top order, especially in asia & where there was grass.