I should have been given longer run like Babar: Aslam

Pakistan opener Sami Aslam believes that if he was given a long run, in the Test format before being dropped, he would have become an established player of the national side by now.

While talking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Aslam cited the example of prolific Pakistan batsman Babar Azam and the way selectors persisted with him despite struggling to perform in the longest format of the game.

“I was extremely disappointed after being dropped from the side,” said Aslam. “I wish I had been given more than like Babar Azam, who was given a longer run despite struggling initially, inorder to cement my place in the team. If I had not been dropped from the side, by now, I would have been a permanent member of the side.”

Aslam, who scored a double century in the opening match of the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) 2019-20 season, is also keen on becoming the best batsman of the tournament.  

“It is important to get off to a good start and I’m glad that I was able to do that in the first match of the domestic season,” he said. “I have got my eyes set on becoming the best batsman of the tournament and use that to make a comeback in the national side.”

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He added: “I will try to make a strong case for myself by performing well in the first few matches of the ongoing QeA Trophy so that I can regain the trust of the selectors, ahead of the tour of Australia.”

He also brushed aside the notion that he is not able to score at a swift pace, as compared to some of the other cricketers.

“There is a perception that I bat slowly but I would like to counter that with the fact that my List A average is close to 50 and strike around 90. This is precisely the reason why I have not been able to feature in PSL which hurts me a lot,” he said. “I have notched up good numbers in Pakistan Cup and National T20, more often than not as well.”

The left-hander was also satisfied with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision to appoint former captain Misbahul Haq as the head coach and chief selector of the national side.

“I think it is a great decision to appoint Misbah bhai as head coach and chief selector,” he said. “He knows domestic cricket and its players really well, which is why the cricketers who put up a good show can fancy their chances about becoming a part of the national side."

FULL INTERVIEW