Sami Aslam withdraws from fourth round of QeA Trophy, contemplates moving abroad

Left-hand opener Sami Aslam has decided to withdraw from the fourth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, due to begin from Friday, after being ignored for Pakistan’s upcoming tour to New Zealand.

According to sources, Sami has informed the Balochistan’s team management about his decision. The 24-year-old is expected to make a decision regarding his future soon. Sources close to the opener suggests that he is contemplating moving abroad to pursue a cricketing career in the United States of America (USA).

In September, Sami had also withdrawn from the National T20 Cup as he wasn’t happy after being demoted to Balochistan’s second XI.

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Earlier this week on Twitter, Sami had expressed his disappointment after not being named in the 35-member squad selected for the New Zealand tour.

"Disappointed that I didn't get any chance to be in 35 players for NZ tour and last UK tour, even after a good last QeA Trophy season, I was one of the most run makers, scored 864 runs at an average of 78, dropped from the Test squad after not getting a game in my last UK tour 2018," Sami tweeted.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal is yet to recover from his shoulder injury, which forced him to miss Peshawar Zalmi’s eliminator against Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League (PSL) playoffs. Akmal will not play Central Punjab’s fourth round fixture against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and will be replaced by right-hand batsman Ali Shan. The doctors have advised Akmal two weeks rest, after which his injury will be monitored again.