Chances of representing Pakistan were quite bleak: Fawad Ahmed

Pakistan-born Australia leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed believes that had he stayed and continued playing in Pakistan, he would have never got the opportunity to represent the national side.

While talking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Ahmed said that, in the presence of leg-spinners like Yasir Shah, chances of him getting selected were quite bleak.

“If I had stayed in Pakistan, I don’t think that I would have ever got the chance to represent my country because Yasir Shah is performing really well,” said Ahmed. “There isn’t the same amount of talent in Australia. But getting in to first-class cricket there is quite difficult.”

Ahmed is currently representing the Quetta Gladiators during the ongoing Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is keen to leave an impact with his performances on the field. 

“We have made a great start to the tournament and we will try to keep the momentum going,” he said. “Hopefully I will contribute something for the Quetta Gladiators as they haven’t won the title yet.”

The 37-year-old also praised the staff and team management of Quetta Gladiators and the ease with which he adjusted in the squad.

“I have been playing franchise cricket for a while now.  It is easy to adjust with different teams. I always intend to perform in a way which benefits the team I’m representing,” he said. “The staff and the management here at Quetta are amazing.”

He added: “I have already played with Shane Watson in Australia and also against a few other guys around the world so it is quite easy to adjust in this environment.”

He also spoke about the reason behind his tendency to play more limited-overs cricket.

“I have been playing four-day cricket from last three to four years and performed well,” he said. “It was getting quite difficult for me to get back in the Test side so I decided to shift my focus to limited-overs cricket.”

Ahmed was optimistic about the revival of international sporting activities in Pakistan.

“I visited Pakistan about two years ago. I went to see my mother who was ill,” he said. “Pakistan has changed a fair bit in past four to five years. I was quite happy to see the change and meet my family there. I hope that not only cricket, every sport revives in the country. I pray that Pakistan will host more PSL matches in future.”