Manzoor hopes selectors reward him for performances

The discarded Test opener Khurram Manzoor, who is the current top run-scorer of the on-going Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, wants his hard work pay dividends as he hopes to get into the national fray.

Manzoor, who is leading the top run-scorer chart at the first-class tournament with his 716 runs in the last five matches, courtesy an average of 89.50 in the last eight innings, says he is focused to improve his performances.

“I have been performing from day one. The consistency in my performances speaks for me. I don’t have to say anything, I am just performing and improving which is in my hand,” Manzoor told The Express Tribune.

Referring to the recall of veteran all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez, who scored a century on his return against Australia in the first Test, Manzoor said that he has a hope that his hard work will pay off too as he has seen the selectors considering players who have been performing in premier domestic tournament.

“The selectors are keeping an eye on the tournament and matches and I am sure that I will get the chance I deserve,” he said. “I have been performing to the best of my abilities and trying to make place in the national team.”

He said that the most important thing that is required for an international Test player is consistency. “I have been scoring runs in every match. I have not let my team down. They have the trust in me and I am performing to keep that trust alive,” said Manzoor who has scored three centuries and two fifties, while twice reaching 199 and 197 before losing his wicket.

“It is depressing when you get so close to your double ton and then lose wicket due to a poor shot. But this is also helping me in learning not to repeat this mistakes in the next matches and I am glad that this is making me a mentally stronger batsman,” he said.

He added that the condition of pitches, the decisions of umpire, bowling and weather conditions are not in his hand. “To perform and improve is what is in my hand and I am focusing on that. I am just waiting for the call-up. Every player has the aim to represent his country, I also have the same and I am performing with this belief that I will be given a chance. It is also a learning process for me and it motivates me to improve and perform even more,” he said.

Manzoor is optimistic of at least making it into the squad which will play the England Lions or finding a place in the Pakistan A team.

“I do want to represent the national team no matter it is A team or the main team. I will grab whatever opportunity comes my way and give my best. As long as I have my country’s flag on my chest, I’ll be a happy,” he said.

He further added that there is still some time in the next tours and till then he will try to reach 1,000 runs in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. “We still have matches left and we will qualify for the next round after the pool matches and I will try to score maximum runs I can to convince the selectors,” he said.