[EXCLUSIVE] "PCB must reward domestic performers": Abid Ali

[The Bald Eagle]

After a decade of grinding in domestic cricket, Abid Ali was handed his Test and ODI caps in 2019. The stalwart seized his opportunity, becoming the first batter in history to score centuries on both his ODI and Test debuts.

The opening batter performed consistently in red-ball cricket until health issues sidelined him for more than two years. Despite returning to domestic cricket and continuing to perform, he is yet to be given another chance at the international level.

In the latest episode of PakPassion exclusive interviews, Saj talks to Abid Ali about his cricketing journey, the importance of rewarding and preferring domestic performers, selecting players based on PSL performances, and much more:

Key highlights of the interview are:

1. Abid Ali discusses his health and comeback to domestic cricket.
2. How it felt when he set the world record on his Test and ODI debuts.
3. The importance of domestic grind for the development of players.

 

[gazza619]

Sounds like a genuinely nice humble guy.

What a shame PCB ignored him.

 

[Saj]

I like what he said about the importance of playing 4 day domestic cricket and picking players who do well in domestic cricket.

Other nations emphasise the importance of playing red ball domestic cricket, getting a good grounding there, making sure players have plenty of 4 day matches behind them and then they mostly pick them for international cricket.

In Pakistan it's the total opposite, which is ridiculous.

 

[BouncerGuy]

A pure gentleman and a humble guy.

Some of his insights are pretty spot on like about the domestic structure and rewarding those players who perform consistently.

PCB is the worst of the boards that is totally ignoring the problems and is going on its merry way.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A great character who got the chance really late and unfortunately then fell prey to injuries. A great waste of talent by PCB.

 

[Markhor]

Lovely guy. Shame his international career didn't last long, looked suspect against bounce, but hope he enjoys whatever cricket he can still play.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Lovely guy. Shame his international career didn't last long, looked suspect against bounce, but hope he enjoys whatever cricket he can still play.

Yeah unfortunately his heart condition didn't allow him to prolong his career but I m sure he will do well in a coaching career.

 

[BouncerGuy]

He was so unfortunate that when he was closing on his peak and was doing well with the Pakistan team, his heart condition left him no choice but to stay away from the game.

He did make a comeback in the domestic circuit and made 2 centuries and a 90 in his last 7 first-class games. That is not bad but now being 36 years old, his career with the national team seems to be over.

 

[Saj]

Any system where white ball cricket is prioritised over red ball cricket is destined to fail.

You can bring in former greats, keep changing the system, give it fancy titles with wonderfully named teams, but until you value first class cricket, you will end up nowhere.

 

[Bewal Express]

Our domestic players are poorly paid. We need to stop paying coaches that have no passion for coaching and see it as easy money. Why pay Kirsten and Gillespie a fortune when to improve standards you need improve pay to FC players and improve facilities to practice.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Our domestic players are poorly paid. We need to stop paying coaches that have no passion for coaching and see it as easy money. Why pay Kirsten and Gillespie a fortune when to improve standards you need improve pay to FC players and improve facilities to practice.

Unfortunately local coaches of late has been a disappointment too. And hopefully with these new coaches we doesn't waste talents like Abid Ali.
.

 

[Bewal Express]

Unfortunately local coaches of late has been a disappointment too. And hopefully with these new coaches we doesn't waste talents like Abid Ali.
.

Absolutely. They are off the mindset that it's easy money. Bar a few words of encouragement, they do bugger all. The better option Is to improve pitches, give players chance to play and our talent will take care of itself. What we do need is fielding coaches because from my experience they do make a difference. Train fielding coaches.

 

[MenInG]

Time to bring back Abid Ali for Tests?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Cricketer Abid Ali struggles with medical costs following ACS diagnosis and contract expiry

During a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match at Karachi’s National Stadium, cricketer Abid Ali complained of discomfort in his shoulder and chest after completing a half-century.

Concerned by his condition, the team management rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a heart condition.

As Abid lay in the hospital bed, he reflected on his long and difficult road to the national team, wondering what would happen next.

Despite years of consistent performances, Abid, now 31, had only recently earned his Test debut after a 12-year domestic career, scoring 7,116 runs in 106 first-class matches.

Abid's journey to the national team was not easy. He often faced setbacks due to favoritism, missing out on earlier opportunities. After strong performances in domestic cricket and a double century in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match, he was finally given a Test cap.

He scored a century on his debut, becoming the first cricketer in the world to achieve centuries in both his Test and One-Day International debuts.

However, just as things seemed to be falling into place, his heart condition sidelined him. Despite recovering and regaining fitness after angioplasty, Abid was never called back to the national team.

In a recent conversation with a journalist, Abid expressed his disappointment, sharing that even his fellow cricketers and officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) no longer respond to his calls. He revealed that his domestic contract had ended, leaving him to arrange for his own medical treatment.

When asked why he wasn’t playing in the Champions Cup, Abid explained that an official told him players over 35 were not allowed to participate. However, despite being perfectly healthy and active, he continues to be overlooked.

The situation raises questions about the inconsistent treatment of cricketers based on age. Abid pointed out that other senior players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, and Umar Amin still participate in matches, while Misbah-ul-Haq played Test cricket until he was 43.

This suggests a double standard, where some players are allowed to continue regardless of age, while others like Abid are sidelined.

Though Abid’s domestic performance has dipped since his return, he still remains a skilled player, better than many currently active cricketers. He now plays in leagues in England to make a living, as opportunities in Pakistan continue to elude him.

In contrast, cricketers like Salman Butt, despite being involved in match-fixing scandals, enjoy careers in commentary and media.

Abid’s case highlights a broader issue in Pakistan’s cricket system, where talented players often go unnoticed due to a lack of connections or opportunities. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, known for valuing merit, has been urged to look into Abid’s situation and consider giving him another chance in events like the Champions Cup.

If not for the national team, at least providing him with a role for his livelihood could be a step toward ensuring that deserving players are not forgotten.

Abid Ali struggles with medical costs following ACS diagnosis and contract expiry | The Express Tribune

Ali sidelined after a heart condition diagnosis in 2021, struggles to regain spot in team despite recovery and form.

tribune.com.pk

 

[Mainul]

We are fortunate that Abid wasn't playing against us. He was a gem of a batsman. Pakistan just did a criminal act by not giving him enough opportunity.