Sami Aslam eyes Pakistan comeback

Pakistan opener Sami Aslam is looking forward to making a comeback in the national side, after making a double century for Southern Punjab against Central Punjab during the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Lahore.

According to details, Aslam, who has played 13 Tests and four One-day Internationals (ODIs) for Pakistan, is keen on making a mark during the ongoing domestic cricket season.

“I’m working hard to make a comeback into the national side,” said Aslam during a press conference. “I want to perform well and become the best batsman of this tournament.”

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Aslam notched up a double century on the second day of the QeA Trophy match against Central Punjab, after resuming his innings on overnight score of 151.

The left-hander also praised the new domestic cricket structure because it laid greater emphasis on competitive cricket.

The new edition of the QeA Trophy, which began on September 14, would feature six Cricket Association sides in the First XI (the first-class competition) and Second XI tournaments.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen on ensuring that the new domestic system focuses on the quality of competition, inorder to produce some thrilling and high octane matches, and also narrow the gap between domestic and international cricket.   

“The new domestic structure will lead to quality cricket because there is a lot of competition,” he said. “Players, who were captains and vice-captains, earlier in departmental cricket, have found it difficult to get into the new regional teams because there are a lot of good players. Also there is pressure to perform because if you don’t, players from the second XI can take your place. This was not the case in departmental cricket as certain players were virtually guaranteed a place in the side without performance as criteria."

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