Speaking with PakPassion.net Zia explained how he was given a free license to attack the England bowling by the captain Misbah ul Haq and the Coach Mohsin Khan, and how he feels he will come back as a better cricketer after the experience of playing against England.

By Saj Sadiq (4th March, 2012)

 

Awais Zia's international call up for the Twenty20 series against England in the UAE didn't quite go to plan, but the 25 year old from Chakwal hopes that he will be given further chances by the selectors in future.

Speaking with PakPassion.net Zia explained how he was given a free license to attack the England bowling by the captain Misbah ul Haq and the Coach Mohsin Khan, and how he feels he will come back as a better cricketer after the experience of playing against England.

"The captain and coach said to me to go out there, enjoy myself and play my natural game. The instructions were simple, go out there and give Pakistan a good start and unsettle the opposition bowlers."

"Looking back now, I feel I could have done better, but nevertheless it was a wonderful experience. The buzz of playing international cricket is just brilliant and unique."

Zia scored 18, 6 and 23 respectively in the three Twenty20 Internationals against some excellent bowling from the England bowlers and admitted the jump in class from domestic bowlers to international bowlers was huge.

"England's bowlers were excellent. They were very professional and bowled to a plan. The gulf in class between the England bowlers and what I had been used to in domestic cricket was huge, but that is not to say that I don't feel that I can establish myself in international cricket."

"I strongly believe that it takes you a few games to settle into international cricket. It was my first time in international cricket and it was all part of my learning curve and an important part of my development as a cricketer."

Zia was the target for some verbal attention from Stephen Finn but added that it was all part and parcel of the game and something that he had expected.

"It's a tough game, you are playing for your country and everybody wants to do well. Finn was upset after I'd gone for my shots and had a few words with me. It happens, it's all part of cricket and I wasn't surprised that a few words were said to me, as I was new to international cricket and they were going to try and unsettle me."

"I never felt any additional pressure or nerves out there and tried to treat it as if I was playing a domestic match. I wasn't uptight or nervous in any of the matches and tried to enjoy the experience."

"I thought I was batting well in the third match of the series and settling down, but was given out leg before. It was a tight call, but these things happen in cricket."

Zia will now turn his attention to the National One Day Cup and he hopes that consistent performance in that competition will enable him to be selected in future for Pakistan.

"I've learnt a lot from the three matches that I played against England. As a cricketer you are always developing your game and I definitely have areas to work upon in my game, but I have faith in my ability and I hope that the selectors give me further chances in future. With the experience of playing England behind me, I think people will see me at my best in the future."