"The decision to not leave the PIA cricket team was the worst mistake I made" : Jamshed Ahmed

[Abdullah719]

"The decision to not leave the PIA cricket team was the worst mistake I made" : Jamshed Ahmed

Jamshed Ahmed is widely remembered as a prominent member of the Pakistan Under-19 World Cup-winning squad in 2006, that defended a total of only 109 in the final against India, where he took 2 for 24 in 7 overs. Despite his excellent performances in that tournament where he took 14 wickets in 6 games, Jamshed's career never really took off and he last played a domestic cricket match in 2014, aged 25.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Jamshed spoke about his memories of the 2006 ICC Under-19 World Cup, the culture of 'like' and 'dislike' when it comes to selection in Pakistan cricket, his decision to stay with PIA despite not being given enough chances to play and his advice to young and upcoming cricketers.

PakPassion.net: What are your memories of the 2006 ICC Under-19 World Cup?

Jamshed Ahmed: I have some great memories of that event and they are still fresh in my mind as if the tournament happened yesterday. And it’s not just me, but a lot of fans still contact me via social media to send me highlights of my performances in that tournament and remind me of that excellent time. I will never forget that period of my life as it was a unique and memorable time for me.


PakPassion.net: Do people still recognize you at your place of work at Lahore airport?

Jamshed Ahmed: I am pleased to say that I run into a lot of cricket fans who are quick to recognize me and appreciate my services to Pakistan. Even my managers at PIA where I work, also give me a lot of respect for this reason and offer me help whenever I need any assistance. To be honest, I used to be really worried that given my background as a cricketer, I would have problems fitting into a regular workplace but I was pleasantly surprised at the fantastic treatment I have received in my job.


PakPassion.net: You must have been looking forward to a long and rewarding career after the success of the 2006 ICC Under-19 World Cup?

Jamshed Ahmed: At that time, I had no idea that I would have to take up a regular job to support myself as I firmly believed in my abilities and frankly hoped and thought that I would represent Pakistan for a good number of years.


PakPassion.net: Do you feel you were discarded a little too early by those in power at PIA?

Jamshed Ahmed: There is a distinct ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ culture when it comes to selection matters in Pakistan cricket. This is why you have seen players in recent times who have debuted for Pakistan without even playing one game of first-class cricket. Contrast that with what happened in our playing days, where we were told that the reason for exclusion from the Pakistan side was a lack of experience and it was said that one could not survive in international cricket without it. Thanks to the Almighty, I took the wickets of some of the top players in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, some of whom later became big names, such as Tamim Iqbal, Martin Guptill and Moises Henriques, but I still couldn’t find a place in the Pakistan side. As I said, the culture of ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ was the reason for my exclusion as surely my performance could not have been the reason for that.


PakPassion.net: How disappointing is the fact that you last played a domestic game in Pakistan in 2014, when you were only 25 years old?

Jamshed Ahmed: If one looks at my last 8-10 games in domestic cricket, I was facing the issue that I was being dropped constantly which resulted in a loss of rhythm and confidence and affected my overall performance. Whilst I may have had an overall average of 28 across all formats of the game, the fact is that my average was much lower in the first 15-16 first-class matches I played. The average deteriorated due to a lack of consistent chances which also affected my motivation. At that point, I was simply going through the motions and the loss of concentration from this reflected in a higher bowling average than it should have been.


PakPassion.net: Was the decision to give up cricket and take on a full-time job the right one for you?

Jamshed Ahmed: The fact is that to survive and have dignity in our society, I needed to find a job and am glad I took that opportunity and started working. If I hadn’t done that, my fate would have been the same as many of our first-class cricketers today, who after the closure of departmental cricket are having to make ends meet by driving rickshaws or Careem, or even doing manual labour. But thanks to the Almighty, I have a stable job.


PakPassion.net: You played just 9 domestic games between 2010 and 2014. What was the reason behind this lack of games?

Jamshed Ahmed: The issue with the PIA side during my time was that apart from me, we had fast-bowlers like Najaf Shah, Fazle Akbar, Aizaz Cheema, Anwar Ali and Ali Imran Pasha. So, only three of the bowlers would play and obviously that reduced my chances of playing every game, and that is why I missed out in quite a few games for PIA.


PakPassion.net: Was the decision to stay with PIA the right one, as far as your playing career was concerned?

Jamshed Ahmed: In terms of my cricketing career, the decision to not leave PIA was the worst mistake I made, but in terms of the current economic circumstances, the fact that I stayed with PIA as an employee was the best thing that happened to me. The reason for that decision was that I felt that a permanent job with a prestigious organization was a good idea and on top of that, I had a feeling that had I changed my team, and if I got injured due to cricket or even through a motorbike accident then my life would be ruined. This is the reason I stayed with the PIA team, but I suppose my cricket career suffered due to that. I also believed and was told by my colleagues that I could still get a chance to play more games as I was young, which was a reason to stick it out with PIA. I was told that people like Fazle Akbar and Aizaz Cheema wouldn’t last long and retire early but as fate would have it, they continued playing longer and my career came to an abrupt end.


PakPassion.net: Tell us about the circumstances behind the end of your career at PIA.

Jamshed Ahmed: My name was consistently part of the 20-man PIA squad submitted to the PCB until the 2017-18 season. But inclusion in the playing XI was a different matter and I feel I became a victim of personal dislikes by the coaching staff because as far as I could see, I had not stopped putting in 100% effort. It’s, strange that the same coaching staff. who would refer to me as ‘Irfan Pathan’ due to my all-round abilities in the nets, would not play me in actual games, and that to date remains a mystery. I feel that after the 2009/10 season, my name was only included in squads more due to filling-up the numbers and the fact that I was a permanent employee. If I hadn’t been an employee, I would have been dropped from the squad much earlier than I eventually was.


PakPassion.net: Out of interest, did you attempt to play for another team when it became apparent that you had little chances of playing in the PIA squad?

Jamshed Ahmed: I did look for alternative ways of playing cricket in 2018 when I tried out for a Lahore side but I was told that age was not on my side although at that point I was only 29 years old which shouldn’t have been an issue. However, they made that an issue and also told me that I wasn’t eligible for selection as I had not played first-class cricket for a few years. This pretty much closed the door for me and I said farewell to top-level cricket for good, as it was clear to me that I wasn’t liked and excuses were being made to keep me out of the game.


PakPassion.net: How do you feel about the new domestic team structure that PCB has implemented?

Jamshed Ahmed: From what I understand, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan wanted the PCB to create a domestic structure which was similar to the state version used in Australia, or the County equivalent in England. But the fact is that such structures take some time to develop fully. To start with, we need to fix issues related to the selection of players, and the quality of management and coaches also needs to be looked at in great detail. Even in the new system that was implemented this season, we are still seeing players who are personal favourites of selectors and coaches being given priority. In contrast, some players with good performances at the district level are being ignored as they are not liked by those in charge of selection. Regardless of the system we implement, our cricket will not improve until and unless this cancer of ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ of players is not eradicated from our country, and cricket not promoted at the club and school level.


PakPassion.net: It’s hard to believe that this culture of ‘like’ and ‘dislike’ still exists in our cricket.

Jamshed Ahmed: It certainly is and many players have said this to me. I am sure people have heard of a player called Umar Siddiq who performed well in the PSL for Multan Sultans. He was told by his coach for whatever personal reason that he would make sure that Umar did not play for Multan Sultans in the 2020 season. And that is exactly what happened in 2020 as he was not selected for PSL due to the dislike for him by the coaching staff of the Southern Punjab side. This is a sad example of the problems players face in our domestic system and what stops them from progressing further which is a huge disservice to Pakistan cricket.


PakPassion.net: Do you see any issues with PCB’s pathway to international cricket for players which consists of advancement through school, club and domestic cricket?

Jamshed Ahmed: The best way to answer this is to look at the case of a young fast bowler whom we all know well – Mohammad Hasnain. All he has is pace, as does Haris Rauf. None of these bowlers have variations or any other redeeming qualities. Similarly, we took Musa Khan to Australia and made him play a Test match so the idea seems to be that we throw in players without much experience and then hope that one of them will become a proper bowler for Pakistan. There seems to be no proper criteria to choose players to play for Pakistan such as good first-class performances; instead, a player is selected for Pakistan based upon the power of his supporters’ lobby. For a person with no connections, there seems to be many criteria for selection such as a high number of first-class matches whilst for others who are liked by the coaches, a different set of selection rules exist. In the past, getting a Test cap was a huge honour and required a lot of hard work, but nowadays it seems that a Test cap is handed to a player without much thought. It’s not that we have a lack of expertise in our selection committee which has some top former players in it, but I am amazed that even then no proper standards are applied for the selection of new players for Test cricket.


PakPassion.net: Based on your experiences, what is your advice for young and upcoming cricketers?

Jamshed Ahmed: My advice based upon personal experience and although a little late, given changes to our domestic system, is that never become part of a big departmental team. But regardless of who you play for, do not ever give up on working hard for your goals. Having friends or sympathisers at the team management level is also very important to get ahead. If this shamelessly requires you to agree with all their wishes and to tow the line, then so be it, as having their backing is important for your career progress.


PakPassion.net: Tell us about your current job and whether you still play cricket.

Jamshed Ahmed: Thanks to the Almighty, I work for PIA as a Business Supervisor and am stationed at Lahore Airport. I am still playing cricket for a small institution called Rashke Kashmir which has players like Saad Nasim, Umar Siddiq, Agha Salman, Hussain Talat, Imran Butt, Imran Ali Mani, Kashif Siddique, Qaiser Ashraf, Mohammad Irfan and Zafar Gohar. This is an excellent side and the experience is enjoyable and I also play for a club called Ludhiana Gymkhana so I have carried on playing cricket at different levels where matches are of the 40-over and T20 format. In addition, in 2018, I played two games at the District Level for Lahore West Zone in which I took 6 wickets in the first game but took one wicket in the next game which was shortened due to rain.

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Brilliant performances in the U19 World Cup, and one of my biggest favorite players to have never received a Pakistan Cap.

No doubt lots of injustice by the folks at PIA. But what stood out to me was this quote:

The reason for that decision was that I felt that a permanent job with a prestigious organization was a good idea and on top of that, I had a feeling that had I changed my team, and if I got injured due to cricket or even through a motorbike accident then my life would be ruined. This is the reason I stayed with the PIA team.

Sometimes, you need to take risks in life. Especially when it comes to high risk high reward professions. You cannot become a star by playing it safe. It’s shocking that he was more concerned about having a monetary fallback for a health emergency than his career.

Two things. Firstly, this shows that PCB needs to support its players monetarily more. Finances shouldn’t have been a roadblock.

Secondly, I think he should have taken the risk. You can always find work somewhere or the other. Take the risk. Go somewhere else. Find a place in the team. Perform. You can get selected and make so much more money while serving your country with your talent. Getting injured is just not a good enough excuse.

 

[Savak]

I wonder where are the supporters of meritocratic departmental cricket

 

[MenInG]

A lot possibly depends on a player's personal and family circumstances. When cricket is not a luxury and a necessity to earn a living then decisions like the one taken by Jamshed would be more than likely.

 

[MenInG]

I wonder where are the supporters of meritocratic departmental cricket

Problem, Jamshed says, is not the system but the people - if coaches will be nasty as in the case of Umer Siddiq then no system in the world will fix the situation.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Good to see a interview after I asked about his wearabouts last year.
Atleast he has a solid job.

 

[moghul]

Good interview, I agree with him regarding lack of FC experience before selection to international games for many players like Musa and Rauf. I'm also glad, unlike many other former FC and international cricketers he possesses a decent job. But, don't like him mentioning "like" and "dislike" for the reason behind his short FC career. I don't think in the presence of fast bowlers like Najaf Shah, Fazle Akbar, Aizaz Cheema, Anwar Ali and Ali Imran Pasha, he had any chance to make it to playing eleven in PIA team. Jamshed was short and lacked pace. All of others he mentioned were ahead of him and had years if great performance in FC cricket. In particular, I feel bad for Ali Imran Pasha, who was tall, fast and younger and was a leading fast bower in FC cricket for many years but never made it to national team and left the cricket very early.

 

[shah_1]

This whole interview is the reason why domestic cricketers need to be paid well. Cricketers don't have any alternative if they get rejected from domeetic cricket especially after having only six teams.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Gotta feel for the guy. Understandably a bit bitter especially regarding how the PCB seems to give out caps left and right to inexperienced and poor players (Hasnain, Musa, etc.), over consistent domestic performers

 

[Slog]

I’ll say here what I said earlier. You need to see what’s ahead of you and take risks. When he was early 20s he should’ve moved because then he can salvage a career later anyway.

I don’t buy this ‘likes and dislikes’ angle. From a cricketing point of view it did not make sense to have him playing.
did you ever ask him about the fact that ahead of him in PIA he had domestic legends such as Najaf Shah (470+ FC wicket at average of 24) and Aizaz Cheema (570+ FC wickets at an average of 20!) at their peak while they were in their 20s?

Then there was Anwar Ali who had made a huge impression on his initial FC performances and was an all rounder on top of it. So no way Anwar Ali would not play either. Anwar Ali was also same batch as Jamshed Ahmed. We criticize him for his international career but in initial days in domestic FC (particularly in his first season or 2 before action change, he was tearing opposition apart)

Then there were guys like Kamran Sajid (20s average and long-time PIA players) and Ali Imnran (another under 19 WC winner with 200+ wickets at an average of 22).

These guys were all playing for PIA at the same time as Jamshed Ahmed and all had time on their side. Asides from Kamran Sajid perhaps (who had lot of experience with him), the rest all had better cricketing pedigree at the time compared to Jamshed Ahmed too (who had 1 5wicket haul in 44 innings).

There were too many cricketers of similar or better quality in front of Jamshed Ahmed and there was little cricketing reason to drop them in their 20s for someone unproven who hadn't set the scene alight in his few domestic performances.

If Jamshed Ahmed believed he was good enough, he should have tried his luck elsewhere. I am tempted to think that as [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] says, Jamshed himself did not have the confidence in himself.

 

[Savak]

I’ll say here what I said earlier. You need to see what’s ahead of you and take risks. When he was early 20s he should’ve moved because then he can salvage a career later anyway.

I don’t buy this ‘likes and dislikes’ angle. From a cricketing point of view it did not make sense to have him playing.
did you ever ask him about the fact that ahead of him in PIA he had domestic legends such as Najaf Shah (470+ FC wicket at average of 24) and Aizaz Cheema (570+ FC wickets at an average of 20!) at their peak while they were in their 20s?

Then there was Anwar Ali who had made a huge impression on his initial FC performances and was an all rounder on top of it. So no way Anwar Ali would not play either. Anwar Ali was also same batch as Jamshed Ahmed. We criticize him for his international career but in initial days in domestic FC (particularly in his first season or 2 before action change, he was tearing opposition apart)

Then there were guys like Kamran Sajid (20s average and long-time PIA players) and Ali Imnran (another under 19 WC winner with 200+ wickets at an average of 22).

These guys were all playing for PIA at the same time as Jamshed Ahmed and all had time on their side. Asides from Kamran Sajid perhaps (who had lot of experience with him), the rest all had better cricketing pedigree at the time compared to Jamshed Ahmed too (who had 1 5wicket haul in 44 innings).

There were too many cricketers of similar or better quality in front of Jamshed Ahmed and there was little cricketing reason to drop them in their 20s for someone unproven who hadn't set the scene alight in his few domestic performances.

If Jamshed Ahmed believed he was good enough, he should have tried his luck elsewhere. I am tempted to think that as [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] says, Jamshed himself did not have the confidence in himself.

You have the example of Virat Kohli and his family. He was desperate to get into the system and make it into Cricket but he and his family refused to pay a bribe to the selectors to get selected in the U16 team. Only a person with massive self confidence would do this as they fully believe that their talent would get them selected eventually

 

[Savak]

This whole interview is the reason why domestic cricketers need to be paid well. Cricketers don't have any alternative if they get rejected from domeetic cricket especially after having only six teams.

This point is moot because Jamshed Ahmed has been playing most of his career when the PCB had 16-24 teams in first class cricket. If you are either not good enough, daring enough to take risks or if the captain, coach, selectors don't like you that it doesn't really matter if there are 6 or 24 teams

 

[Thunderbolt14]

To not get selected in 24 different teams as someone with the kind of talent he had only indicates he wasted his own talent. I feel for him but he didn’t even try to make his own luck, sometimes you need to take that risk, back yourself, and chase your dreams when you know you have the talent for it.

You are saying you admit there were likes and dislikes that kept you out of the team yet you stayed there because of job security. This is a short term thinking approach, not the approach of someone who is willing to make less money in the short run at the benefit of potentially becoming a superstar (or at least breaking into the domestic circuit).

I know I sound harsh but it is a harsh world. Many cricketers have done similar things moving from department to department and even traveling cities with no cash in pocket. All for the chance at greatness. Their financial situations were not much better mind you.

 

[Titan24]

I know I sound harsh but it is a harsh world. Many cricketers have done similar things moving from department to department and even traveling cities with no cash in pocket. All for the chance at greatness. Their financial situations were not much better mind you.

Agreed. However, there should be something done by PCB to minimize talent going away. There should be a proper system and risk should be worth it for more people opting cricket rather than just handful of international players. That will bring in much more talent to cricket than we realize.

There are many who stop playing cricket at a very young age as well because, they want to continue their studies and maybe have a more stable career going forward. Yes risk taking ability should be their but I think its PCb’s job to first minimize the risks by having a good school cricket system in place which can provide a road map to players who want to continue their studies alongside cricket and also make the domestic contracts more lucrative.

As lets be honest, probability of playing for Pakistan and in the top 20 odd players in the country doesnt have a big probability and because being in the top 150 or so players doesnt pay more than most jobs along with nothing permanent as well deter many to continue it as they dont have as much risk appetite due to various reasons.

 

[Slog]

This is his fault.

The only way it’s PCB’s fault is lack of guidance.

However one must use their own brains. If you have 4 fast bowlers ahead of you; two of who are legends for your domestic then, then you have to make your own luck.

 

[Slog]

Shoaib Akhtar was in the exact same position 15 years earlier. But he had belief and left PIA.

 

[moghul]

This whole interview is the reason why domestic cricketers need to be paid well. Cricketers don't have any alternative if they get rejected from domeetic cricket especially after having only six teams.

Not every cricketer should drop out of school at very early age and become good for nothing unless very few of them become professional cricketer. They should make education their priority and get ready for other earning options . Three decades ago, majority of FC cricketers had better level education and were able to support themselves.

 

[Savak]

To not get selected in 24 different teams as someone with the kind of talent he had only indicates he wasted his own talent. I feel for him but he didn’t even try to make his own luck, sometimes you need to take that risk, back yourself, and chase your dreams when you know you have the talent for it.

You are saying you admit there were likes and dislikes that kept you out of the team yet you stayed there because of job security. This is a short term thinking approach, not the approach of someone who is willing to make less money in the short run at the benefit of potentially becoming a superstar (or at least breaking into the domestic circuit).

I know I sound harsh but it is a harsh world. Many cricketers have done similar things moving from department to department and even traveling cities with no cash in pocket. All for the chance at greatness. Their financial situations were not much better mind you.

Likes and Dis Likes exist everywhere in the world including the West. He is just passing the buck here. Numerous people disliked Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi but that never stopped them from getting ahead

 

[Saj]

I think Jamshed miscalculated what would happen at PIA.

There was some rough treatment, picking him, dropping him after good performances, but long-term it seems he was banking on one or two of the senior bowlers retiring, but the likes of Cheema just kept on playing season after season.

 

[Savak]

I think Jamshed miscalculated what would happen at PIA.

There was some rough treatment, picking him, dropping him after good performances, but long-term it seems he was banking on one or two of the senior bowlers retiring, but the likes of Cheema just kept on playing season after season.

If this guy was really good, there is no way the likes of Aizaz Cheema would have been able to keep out performing him for so many years especially in his advanced years.

 

[Saj]

If this guy was really good, there is no way the likes of Aizaz Cheema would have been able to keep out performing him for so many years especially in his advanced years.

To play domestic cricket in Pakistan, you and I both know that sometimes it's not just about how good you are.

 

[Savak]

To play domestic cricket in Pakistan, you and I both know that sometimes it's not just about how good you are.

I dont buy it, someone extraordinary or very good cannot be blocked forever no matter how bad the system is. Its not like Jamshed got zero opportunities, sometimes a truly elite individual makes full use of that 1-2 chances and never look back.

 

[chazam]

it is the failure of the system in his case. He was not some random player.His performances were there to see live and on youtube in that final match.
What was the PCB and other related associations in Pakistan doing. Atleast should have got a chance in domestic setup for couple of years. Why that did not happen?

 

[Slog]

it is the failure of the system in his case. He was not some random player.His performances were there to see live and on youtube in that final match.
What was the PCB and other related associations in Pakistan doing. Atleast should have got a chance in domestic setup for couple of years. Why that did not happen?

It’s like an upcoming goalkeeper in his early 20s signing to play for Manchester United. The likelihood that he will get chances in premier league matches are low since he is behind De Gea, Romero while guys like Dean Henderson and Joel Pereira are also highly talented and proving themselves in European leagues.

A goalie who makes such a decision will not play much and will only have himself to blame for signing for such a team

 

[Slog]

To play domestic cricket in Pakistan, you and I both know that sometimes it's not just about how good you are.

But in this case it was.

Aizaz Chema and Najaf Shah we’re averaging in teens or low 20s every year so there was no reason to drop them.

And even his U19 colleague outperformed him when he got chance. If there’s anyone who didn’t get treated fairly it was Ali Imran who took 200+ wickets. Jamshed Ahmed was 4th to 5th choice pacer going by performance.

 

[Slog]

I think Jamshed miscalculated what would happen at PIA.

There was some rough treatment, picking him, dropping him after good performances, but long-term it seems he was banking on one or two of the senior bowlers retiring, but the likes of Cheema just kept on playing season after season.

This is perhaps the only legitimate excuse he can come up with which makes some sense.

Apart from the guaranteed money he was getting from PIA compared to other teams; perhaps he thought guys like Aizaz Cheema and Najaf Shah will go by the wayside and open the way for him. But he was wrong and they were averaging low 20s till their 30s. However, he should’ve made the decision to switch at that point but he just didn’t want to take risk.

Heck Aizaz Cheema even played for Pakistan when he was past 30 and did ok. It’s another topic but he should’ve been picked a good 3-4 years earlier as he was just killing it in domestic cricket for a number of years.

Jamshed is definitely to blame here. It’s just a timid attitude and lack of self belief. Let’s be honest and I don’t want to denigrate but it’s not some high paying cushy job he has right now. He perhaps could’ve found it later in life anyway. However if he had tried his luck and backed himself; the possibilities were endless.

 

[Saj]

Any cricketer who does well in a match, takes wickets, is congratulated by the team management, but is then dropped at the last-minute for the next match without any explanation, will always have my sympathies.

 

[Savak]

Any cricketer who does well in a match, takes wickets, is congratulated by the team management, but is then dropped at the last-minute for the next match without any explanation, will always have my sympathies.

Let's examine his stats and performances then to see if he has genuine cause to complain

 

[Saj]

Let's examine his stats and performances then to see if he has genuine cause to complain

Go on then. Add them all here.

Also list the matches where he says he did well and was dropped for the next match.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is perhaps the only legitimate excuse he can come up with which makes some sense.

Apart from the guaranteed money he was getting from PIA compared to other teams; perhaps he thought guys like Aizaz Cheema and Najaf Shah will go by the wayside and open the way for him. But he was wrong and they were averaging low 20s till their 30s. However, he should’ve made the decision to switch at that point but he just didn’t want to take risk.

Heck Aizaz Cheema even played for Pakistan when he was past 30 and did ok. It’s another topic but he should’ve been picked a good 3-4 years earlier as he was just killing it in domestic cricket for a number of years.

Jamshed is definitely to blame here. It’s just a timid attitude and lack of self belief. Let’s be honest and I don’t want to denigrate but it’s not some high paying cushy job he has right now. He perhaps could’ve found it later in life anyway. However if he had tried his luck and backed himself; the possibilities were endless.

I remember Mohammed Akram saying that Cheema was a domestic beast and should have played for PK for longer

 

[Slog]

I remember Mohammed Akram saying that Cheema was a domestic beast and should have played for PK for longer

We dont need Mohammad Akram to tell that. Simple rundown of the numbers or just talking to someone who followed domestics at the time would be enough. Also I remember in 2008 or so in a Pakpassion interview, Umar Akmal said Aizaz Cheema was the most difficult bowler he had faced.

Aizaz Cheema made his international debut at the age of 31 and still ended up with average of 31 in Test, 15 in T20s and 26 in ODIs which is actually pretty decent.

However he had been topping domestic charts year after year since 2004/05 or so and when he was given his international chance, his domestic performances had already started to dip. So he was given a chance much later and still ended up posting decent numbers.

The worst part is that it wasnt like in the 90s when we had ATG bowlers blocking path to the national team. We had randomes like Abdur Rauf, Rana Naved, Khalil etc play for the national side.

Aizaz Cheema's first class average is 20.00 and till 2009 or so was 17-18. Yet he was given chance so much late. There were posts about him on the forum back then too.

 

[Bewal Express]

We dont need Mohammad Akram to tell that. Simple rundown of the numbers or just talking to someone who followed domestics at the time would be enough. Also I remember in 2008 or so in a Pakpassion interview, Umar Akmal said Aizaz Cheema was the most difficult bowler he had faced.

Aizaz Cheema made his international debut at the age of 31 and still ended up with average of 31 in Test, 15 in T20s and 26 in ODIs which is actually pretty decent.

However he had been topping domestic charts year after year since 2004/05 or so and when he was given his international chance, his domestic performances had already started to dip. So he was given a chance much later and still ended up posting decent numbers.

The worst part is that it wasnt like in the 90s when we had ATG bowlers blocking path to the national team. We had randomes like Abdur Rauf, Rana Naved, Khalil etc play for the national side.

Aizaz Cheema's first class average is 20.00 and till 2009 or so was 17-18. Yet he was given chance so much late. There were posts about him on the forum back then too.

If you look at some of the dross that got chances in those days, it brings home how incompetent and corrupt our selection is.

 

[Saj]

If you look at some of the dross that got chances in those days, it brings home how incompetent and corrupt our selection is.

At national and domestic level.

Backhanders worked back then, still does now.

 

[Slog]

If you look at some of the dross that got chances in those days, it brings home how incompetent and corrupt our selection is.

Mohammad Abbas is similar story.

He's been averaging in the teens in domestic FC for 4-5 years but was never given the chance because he's too short, too slow, not threatening, not elite enough.

He was given a chance at the age of 27-28 due to retirements and injuries reluctantly and after 18 Test matches, averaged 20.

 

[Bewal Express]

At national and domestic level.

Backhanders worked back then, still does now.

It's one of the reasons why we have fallen behind. We have so many work shy, corrupt free loaders that it's more of surprise when you see someone with passion for PK cricket.

 

[Bewal Express]

Mohammad Abbas is similar story.

He's been averaging in the teens in domestic FC for 4-5 years but was never given the chance because he's too short, too slow, not threatening, not elite enough.

He was given a chance at the age of 27-28 due to retirements and injuries reluctantly and after 18 Test matches, averaged 20.

I remember Abdul Rauf was tearing up the domestic scene around 2002/3 and was ripe for introduction to the national team, instead Amir Sohail picked Junaid Zia ( son of chairman) a guy so poor that he wouldn't have been an opening bowler for a decent club team. When Abdul Rauf did eventually play, he was past it and looked very average.

 

[Saj]

It's one of the reasons why we have fallen behind. We have so many work shy, corrupt free loaders that it's more of surprise when you see someone with passion for PK cricket.

Selection in domestic cricket is a mystery.

I remember one player telling me the selectors for their department didn't attend any matches, practice sessions etc for a whole season.

That's why I sympathise with many players such as Jamshed.

 

[Bewal Express]

Selection in domestic cricket is a mystery.

I remember one player telling me the selectors for their department didn't attend any matches, practice sessions etc for a whole season.

That's why I sympathise with many players such as Jamshed.

You sort of expect that at our domestic level as working for a living is haraam for these people but this was also happening for the national team. I dont know if its still the same but our national team was being selected on the basis of televised T20 games.

 

[the Great Khan]

I remember Abdul Rauf was tearing up the domestic scene around 2002/3 and was ripe for introduction to the national team, instead Amir Sohail picked Junaid Zia ( son of chairman) a guy so poor that he wouldn't have been an opening bowler for a decent club team. When Abdul Rauf did eventually play, he was past it and looked very average.

I remember many of us talking about Rauf and Cheema back in the day. It was baffling they werent at least tried. i was rewatching some old vids and Cheema was bowling. I was reminded how good he was at 31. Bowling at 85 mph. Showed great passion. Imagine a 22-24 yr old Cheema. Would have been great to have him in the side with Rauf, naved and kaneria plus akther. We had nothing to lose.

yet the backward jahil mentality comes in again and again. Then these same idiots become pundits giving us their "i think" bakwaas..

coming back to Jamshed. I dont get why he didnt go to one of the other dept teams. He seems a smart lad and would have got a job there too but he may have made it in cricket. But tehn when your from a tough poor background you tend to make different decisions than those of us who are comfortable.

 

[Bewal Express]

I remember many of us talking about Rauf and Cheema back in the day. It was baffling they werent at least tried. i was rewatching some old vids and Cheema was bowling. I was reminded how good he was at 31. Bowling at 85 mph. Showed great passion. Imagine a 22-24 yr old Cheema. Would have been great to have him in the side with Rauf, naved and kaneria plus akther. We had nothing to lose.

yet the backward jahil mentality comes in again and again. Then these same idiots become pundits giving us their "i think" bakwaas..

coming back to Jamshed. I dont get why he didnt go to one of the other dept teams. He seems a smart lad and would have got a job there too but he may have made it in cricket. But tehn when your from a tough poor background you tend to make different decisions than those of us who are comfortable.

The fact that these guys werent tried isn't by accident, if for example in 2003 Rauf had been tried and the public could see him, then suddenly these crooks have nothing to hide behind. He may or may not have been any good along with the the likes of Cheema but we wouldn't have died wondering.

 

[the Great Khan]

The fact that these guys werent tried isn't by accident, if for example in 2003 Rauf had been tried and the public could see him, then suddenly these crooks have nothing to hide behind. He may or may not have been any good along with the the likes of Cheema but we wouldn't have died wondering.

exctly. Maybe they would have been rubbish who knows but at least we would have tried them..my suspicion is they would have done well especially in 2006 in england when we were desperate for bowlers..and with actor sahib breaking down every five mins.

 

[ElRaja]

he did the right thing, he had a few good matches but he was never international quality. maybe if he joined a weaker team he might have had a good season or two and played some odis for pak, but at the end of the day he knew he would need the 9-5 job. 50 wickets at 30 is nothing special, was it not for being involved in the under 19 world cup no one would have even known about him.

 

[zacattakk]

I remember many of us talking about Rauf and Cheema back in the day. It was baffling they werent at least tried. i was rewatching some old vids and Cheema was bowling. I was reminded how good he was at 31. Bowling at 85 mph. Showed great passion. Imagine a 22-24 yr old Cheema. Would have been great to have him in the side with Rauf, naved and kaneria plus akther. We had nothing to lose.

yet the backward jahil mentality comes in again and again. Then these same idiots become pundits giving us their "i think" bakwaas..

coming back to Jamshed. I dont get why he didnt go to one of the other dept teams. He seems a smart lad and would have got a job there too but he may have made it in cricket. But tehn when your from a tough poor background you tend to make different decisions than those of us who are comfortable.

I always wondered what if we got to see Rauf a few years earlier in his career, what might have been....

 

[Thunderbolt14]

he did the right thing, he had a few good matches but he was never international quality. maybe if he joined a weaker team he might have had a good season or two and played some odis for pak, but at the end of the day he knew he would need the 9-5 job. 50 wickets at 30 is nothing special, was it not for being involved in the under 19 world cup no one would have even known about him.

He had talent. Have you watched his deliveries in that tournament?

 

[ElRaja]

He had talent. Have you watched his deliveries in that tournament?

yes i did, he was an 80 mph seam bowler. not very tall, and not particularly athletic. kinda like a left hand version of asad ali or hammad azam but without the stats to back him like they had, which is why i said at best, if im being very kind, he was a peripheral international player.

unless you have crazy height, or 90 mph pace, or some other trait u are not getting picked after playing 15, 20 first class games with a very average record. also this is subjective, but he does not look 31, and the fact that he pretty much played his last game at 25 says as much.

 

[MenInG]

A case of what if could have been had he been persisted with by the PCB...

 

[KB]

I think it is great that this interview took place. Interviews are so often with those cricketers that have been successful. Different perspectives open up, though, when one considers a career that ends in failure.

Here what really comes across is the precarious existence that faces many domestic cricketers. Clearly the decision to stay with PIA in the end may have dented his cricketing aspirations but is understandable in light of the desire for financial security - an inclination not to be belittled.

It also points to the role of luck. We like to consider our achievements a result of our skill and hard work but so often luck plays a role. It is the same with failure. It cannot always be considered the product of an individual’s failings.

Well done to whoever thought of doing this interview.

 

[Saj]

Clearly the decision to stay with PIA in the end may have dented his cricketing aspirations but is understandable in light of the desire for financial security - an inclination not to be belittled.

Indeed. This is the point I have been making to those here who said he should just have walked away from PIA cricket and the financial security which it brought both short-term and long-term.

Only when you are in that position will you know how tough it is.

 

[azimiqbal]

Look I love Pakistan cricket , but we can make all the changes to the domestic structure, pitches , balls, fitness BLAH BLAH BLAH

But until we pick players at all levels on merit we are never going to be the force we should be ......

 

[CanadianG00se]

Brilliant performances in the U19 World Cup, and one of my biggest favorite players to have never received a Pakistan Cap.

No doubt lots of injustice by the folks at PIA. But what stood out to me was this quote:



Sometimes, you need to take risks in life. Especially when it comes to high risk high reward professions. You cannot become a star by playing it safe. It’s shocking that he was more concerned about having a monetary fallback for a health emergency than his career.

Two things. Firstly, this shows that PCB needs to support its players monetarily more. Finances shouldn’t have been a roadblock.

Secondly, I think he should have taken the risk. You can always find work somewhere or the other. Take the risk. Go somewhere else. Find a place in the team. Perform. You can get selected and make so much more money while serving your country with your talent. Getting injured is just not a good enough excuse.

This is one of the major reason why I appreciate BCCI for looking after domestic players. I’m sure in coming years PCB would be able to pay the players handsome cash, so even if they don’t get selected for Intl duty, they are still well paid off.

Lot of people here seem to hate/dislike T20 leagues, but not understanding the economic importance in today’s competitive market.

 

[Saj]

For those asking about what happened to Jamshed Ahmed.