Najaf Shah hopes to impress selectors for national chance

MANCHESTER: Lanky left-arm pace bowler Najaf Shah was called in to bowl here at the nets by the Pakistan team management on Tuesday.

The six feet four inches Najaf Shah, who always finds it hard to earn a place on the Pakistan team mainly due to lack of required backing, was the most impressive of the bowlers at the nets.

“Despite being among the top performers in Pakistan domestic competition I fail to earn a place on the team. I do not know why. I did all to impress Pakistan selectors but still is waiting for the chance,” Najaf who took eight wickets in a side match against England last winter at Pindi Stadium said.

Najaf is one of a few bowlers in Pakistan domestic level who has the height and speed required to make a name in international cricket.

“I am engaged in league cricket here and was declared the best bowler in Lancashire county for the second successive year. Still I fail to get the selectors’ backing,” he said.

Najaf said whenever he inquires about not being able to get a chance on the team, the officials accompanying teams blame selectors for negligence. “I do not know why the selectors are against my selection. What else I have to prove to get selected,” he said.

Najaf who plays for Rawalpindi and PIA in Pakistan domestic cricket has taken 86 wickets in all competitions last year.

“My name was there on the probables list for the Pakistan A team tour to Australia. However, I was dropped in favour of another left-arm bowler who picked up less than half of my tally in domestic cricket,” he said.

Najaf, however, was optimistic the day was not far away when he would be given opportunity to show his skills.


this artcle is from the one and only jang

anyone for political conspiracy?

wooo he seems to be really disappointed! but i kind of see where he is coming from because he wasn't even given a chance in "A" team!

What is it that players need to get noticed by selectors? If not skill, than what?!? Bribes? Backing by well known figures? Mushroom haircuts?

May Allah honor him and those who deserve it with a chance to play on the Pakistan team. Ameen

how old is najaf?

22!

or 24 ....

he is young, and deserves his chance right now, he is ready for international cricket, if player's like junaid zia can be given the nod , then surely najaf has played 55 fc matches and has over 200 wicket's...that surely must be something......

he is one player i would like to see in the TEAM ASAP!

junk bowlers like Sami are in the team while bright prospects like Najaf Shah being left out ??????

whats going on in Inzi and Bob's mind

"Najaf Shah......was the most impressive of the bowlers at the nets."

Thats a good sign.

I find it unbelievable how he has been overlooked thus far!

political conspiracies are the best way to ge picked.

if he is in the UK, and was with the pakistani players...then why dont they pick him already?? I'm sure if they can call up Arafat from Sussex, then can call up Najaf as well?

plus with all the injuries lately, this is a perfect oppotunity for him.

maybe he didnt make bob a cup of chai. I definately think something has happened otherwise he would not have been behind the likes of khalil.rao,sami,irshad. just hope all is forgiven and his given a chance

Najaf has to be called up soon, he has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket for the last few seasons and has the ability to swing the ball at a good pace.

no need for him to whine and write letters etc, he should carry on working hard and if consistent enough he will get a call up, he deserves to have been called up so far but crying about his exclusion wont help

The lad deserves a call-up. He has done more than enough to impress the brainless selectors of ours, no idea why a trundlers like Khalil get picked over him. Bari needs a kick

The fact that he was called to the nets shows that he is in the selectors minds. Considering his record I find it hard to believe how Samiullah got in ahead of him. That left armers spot should have gone to Najaf. I think he could have been pretty useful bowling against 3 left handers at the top of the England order especially on this Old Trafford pitch.

I think what he could really do with is a year or two in county cricket where he could really shine and make it hard for the selectors to leave him out. I'm pretty sure he's a better bowler than Khalil or Samiullah but these guys are getting in ahead of him.

najaf can also bat as well...he work's hard at his batting as well .

he surely cant be as bad as sami

Najaf shah and yasir arafat should be in the squad