Abbas sets sights on donning coloured clothing for Pakistan

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Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas has showcased his desire about representing Men in Green in the limited-over formats.

While speaking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Abbas said that he is putting in the hard yards — in order to get an opportunity in formats other than Tests.

“The team needs me in Test matches right now but I will continue to put in the hard yards in order to come in reckoning for the limited-over formats,” said Abbas. “Playing in coloured clothing is a dream for every cricketer and I want to do the same.”

The 28-year-old also admitted that he wants to represent Pakistan at the World Cup.

“Every cricketer wants to play the World Cup and I will try to make my country proud if I get the opportunity in the mega event,” he said.

Abbas — who was named in the 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) Test team of the year — wants to replicate that feat in 2019 as well.  

“I want to replicate my performance from 2018 in 2019 as well,” he said. “It was an honour for me to be included in the ICC Test team of the year last year and I’m hoping to do the same this year.”

Abbas was not able to come up with the goods during the two Test matches he played against South Africa — in the recently concluded series — and was only able to claim five wickets in four innings.

Speaking on his lacklustre performance, Abbas said that his fitness concerns played a role in his below par returns. 

“Due to shoulder injury I was not able to perform in accordance with expectations,” he said. “When you come in the side after an injury, it is difficult to get into rhythm quickly. Also we were slightly unlucky in terms of umpiring decisions.”

Abbas also named his role models in cricket by stating: “I like the line and length of bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Shuan Pollock and Mohammad Asif, They are an inspiration for me in terms of bowling skills.”

Abbas — who has a highest score of just 11 in 14 Test match appearances — is also keen on improving the batting aspect of his game.

“I’m working on my batting as well so that I can contribute with valuable runs lower down the order,” he said.

The right-arm pacer ¬— who hails from Sambrial, which is a town in Sialkot District of Pakistan — also stressed on the need for better infrastructure facilities in his region.

“I would like to ensure that there are better infrastructure facilities available to cricketers in my hometown because there is a lot of untapped talent in that region,” he said. “Few of those players went on to play for Oman and Qatar while the likes of Mukhtar Ahmed and Amad Butt are also performing in the domestic circuit for quite a while.”