Three years is a long time to wait for a recall to the national team, especially in Pakistani cricket. Many never get the chance to disprove their doubters. Zulqarnain Haider is one of the lucky few who has been given a chance to re-establish himself as an international cricketer. He has been drafted in as backup wicketkeeper to Kamran Akmal for the Test series vs. England and Australia.

 by Saj Sadiq

23 June 2010

Three years is a long time to wait for a recall to the national team, especially in Pakistani cricket. Many never get the chance to disprove their doubters. Zulqarnain Haider is one of the lucky few who has been given a chance to re-establish himself as an international cricketer. He has been drafted in as backup wicketkeeper to Kamran Akmal for the Test series vs. England and Australia. 


Speaking to PakPassion.net ; Zulqarnain was naturally elated. “I was expecting it; I feel very confident and Inshallah (God willing) I will do well. Nobody called me, but Afridi had told GEO Super that they would take me to England in the Test squad, that’s why I was optimistic. Also the way the training camp was conducted, how the players and management took me into confidence, I could feel that I would be selected for the team going to England".


When asked if Coach Waqar Younis or Captain Shahid Afridi had spoken to him since the announcement of the Test squad, Zulqarnain said ‘They did not say anything directly, but I could feel it in the way the way the camp was conducted. They made me bat a lot in the nets, and both Shahid bhai and Waqar bhai were watching me closely throughout. I spoke to them during the camp, but not afterwards".


Pakistani keepers in the recent past have struggled in English conditions, but Zulqarnain seems well-prepared. ‘I’ve played the U15 World Cup in England; I played as a batsman in the final at Lord’s, and so the conditions are not new to me. I’ve also played 5-6 years of league cricket, so I feel I am familiar and well-prepared for English conditions.’ 


When reminded of his previous stint in the Pakistan side, Zulqarnain said “I’m a lot more prepared for international cricket this time round. The first time I played for Pakistan, there was a lot of pressure and I was not ready at all. I’ve gained a lot more experience since then and am used to playing with high level players, and have performed against them also". 


A wicketkeeper’s batting contribution is absolutely crucial in modern-day cricket, and the 24 year old from Lahore was well-aware of that. “I’m batting quite well these days, I’m averaging 55 in domestic cricket, and also made 161 batting at number 7 earlier this year".


When asked about his chances of earning a spot in the starting lineup, Zulqarnain sounded a positive note and said “I am hoping I will get a chance in the Test matches, and I am not going there to just to make up the numbers. I will do my absolute best to establish myself in the Pakistan team.’