The Pakistan one day and Twenty20 squad announced today by Mohsin Khan and his selection committee may be lacking their premier fast bowler Umar Gul, but Gul's decision to opt for rest has provided an opportunity to PIA pace bowler Aizaz Cheema to show what he can do in international cricket.

by Saj Sadiq

06 April 2011

 

The Pakistan one day and Twenty20 squad announced today by Mohsin Khan and his selection committee may be lacking their premier fast bowler Umar Gul, but Gul's decision to opt for rest has provided an opportunity to PIA pace bowler Aizaz Cheema to show what he can do in international cricket.

32 year old Cheema - a right arm pace bowler who plays for Pakistan International Airlines - has been a consistent performer in Pakistani domestic cricket and has been close to national selection on several occasions. Cheema was earmarked to be a member of the 2009 Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup squad but teenage pace bowler Mohammad Amir was chosen ahead of him in the final squad, and the rest as they say, is history.

Speaking to PakPassion.net, Cheema explained how in his estimation, chances to play for Pakistan had all but disappeared and his thoughts on the call up.

"Competition for places in squads has been intense, especially in the fast bowling department for Pakistan, but you always have that hope that one day your chance will come and there have been a few times when I had heard that I may be given an opportunity to play for Pakistan, but the chance never came. Yes I think it's fair to say that I thought my chance may have gone, but I've had another good season in domestic cricket in all formats and thankfully the selectors have taken note of my performances."

Umar Gul's loss to the squad will be a huge blow, especially given that he had been in fine form up until the World Cup semi final at Mohali, but Cheema feels that there is enough talent and ability amongst the other bowlers selected to overcome the absence of Umar Gul.

"Yes Gul's absence is a big loss, but I feel that if you look at the other bowlers who have been selected, I think we can overcome the absence of Umar (Gul). The opportunity is there for others to show what they are made of and to show that they can lead the bowling attack and perform in the absence of a strike bowler."

Cheema has taken 221 wickets in 62 matches in first class cricket and his wish is that he won’t just be going to the Caribbean to make up the numbers and will be given a chance to feature in the starting eleven. "I'm grateful for the fact that I am in the squad and I would be even more delighted if I am chosen in the starting eleven even if it's for one of the upcoming matches."

Pakistan reached the semi finals of the World Cup and whilst the response from the media and fans has been mixed regarding this achievement, especially given the tame surrender against India at Mohali, Cheema believes that the momentum can be continued against the West Indies. "The boys did really well in reaching the semi finals of the World Cup, I thought they performed really well and it's important that the momentum is continued in the forthcoming series. We've got a good blend of youth and experience and I'm confident that we can do well."

Pakistan's tour of the Caribbean commences on 18th April with a warmup match against the Vice Chancellors XI, with the only Twenty20 fixture due to be played on 21st April.