Selector Saleem Jaffar delivered a body blow to Azhar Mahmood's chances of selection for the upcoming Pakistani tour of Sri Lanka. He stated that the Kent all rounder would need to take part in Pakistan's domestic competition as a pre-requisite to selection for International duties.

By Saj Sadiq (April 29th, 2012)

Thirty-seven year old all rounder Azhar Mahmood’s chances of a return to the international stage took a dive today as selector Saleem Jaffar stated that the Kent all rounder would have to first take part in domestic cricket in Pakistan before he is considered for international selection.

Mahmood has been in excellent form of late in the twenty over format around the world. In New Zealand he was one of Auckland Aces’ star performers as they lifted the HRV Cup. In Bangladesh, Azhar again showed his class in the twenty over format helping the Dhaka Gladiators to the inaugural BPL title. At the ongoing Indian Premier League, once visa issues were resolved, Azhar has impressed with both bat and ball for Kings XI Punjab.

Given his consistent performances there has been strong support for Azhar to be given another chance for Pakistan after a gap of over four years. What helps Mahmood’s case for selection is that the Twenty20 World Cup is to be played in Sri Lanka later this year, a competition where his all round ability and experience could be invaluable.

However former left arm bowler Jaffar speaking with PakPassion.net stated “Azhar (Mahmood) would first have to play in domestic cricket in Pakistan before we can consider him for a return to the Pakistan side. As my colleague Iqbal Qasim has stated recently, domestic cricket is what we gauge performances by and anyone wanting to play for Pakistan has to perform in domestic cricket first and foremost. Past international performances and those in domestic competitions of other countries aren’t really what the selectors are basing their judgement of players upon.”

Jaffar cited Yasir Arafat as an example of a cricketer who whilst playing in twenty over competitions around the world, still ensured that he featured in domestic tournaments in Pakistan whenever possible.

“I give you the example of Yasir Arafat, he has played cricket around the world but has always ensured that if he was fully fit, he would play in every domestic competition in Pakistan. You simply cannot pick and choose which competitions you want to play in back home and when you feel like it.”

Jaffar further added “Age is irrelevant when we are selecting players and is no barrier. We will not discriminate against age at all. What we are looking for in any format is the right attitude, good levels of fitness and good form. Azhar has all these attributes but I must reiterate that he needs to start appearing in domestic cricket in Pakistan before we can select him. The onus is on Azhar, he hasn’t appeared in domestic cricket in any of the tournaments since 2010 and priority for international selection will be given to those cricketers who have featured in domestic cricket.”

Jaffar continued “Azhar has performed well in the Bangladesh Premier League and the Indian Premier League, but what I am looking at is performance in English County Cricket and domestic cricket in Pakistan, as I regard those competitions as a better barometer for measuring form and the ability to do well in international cricket.”

Jaffar did however add that Mahmood had not been completely ruled out of their plans and the matter of his selection would be discussed at the next selection committee meeting on 11th May when the selectors pick the squads for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

“I’m not ruling any player out entirely and although the selectors want players who feature in domestic cricket to be selected, we would listen to the Captain and Coach’s thoughts on who they want to include. We’ll sit down on the 11th and see who the Captain and Coach are keen on and then make final decisions.”

Pakistan’s next assignment is next month when they begin a 46 day tour of Sri Lanka that contains 2 T20 internationals, followed by 5 one day internationals, before the tour ends with 3 Test matches.