Twenty-one year old Attock born all rounder Hammad Azam’s international career has been a rather stop start affair so far. The tall, hard hitting middle order batsman who compliments his batting with lively medium pace bowling made his international debut over a year ago in a one day international against the West Indies.

However since that debut in the Caribbean, Hammad has only featured in the green of Pakistan on a total of eleven occasions, which are made up of eight one day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals. During the 11 international fixtures that Hammad has played for Pakistan, he has batted on eight occasions and bowled on six occasions, but has never bowled in a T20I.

In an interview with PakPassion.net from the National Cricket Academy at Lahore, where he is a member of the ongoing training camp, working under the supervision of coaches Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain, Hammad spoke of his future ambitions, his desire to succeed in international cricket, his happiness at being given a consistent run in the team recently and how he was intent on becoming an integral part of the Pakistan limited overs teams.

“It was great to be given a run of matches at the Asia Cup and the backing from the captain and coaches and my team mates was very encouraging. I was given a proper chance to show what I can do and that really boosted my morale and confidence.”

Hammad prior to the Asia Cup had been a bit part player for Pakistan and never really established himself in either of the limited over teams. He was a member of the twenty20 World Cup squad in the Caribbean but did not feature in any of the matches. Whilst he’s never managed that eye catching performance that the selectors were looking for, it can be said that his chances have been limited. However after the run of matches in the Asia Cup, Hammad feels he is now ready to establish himself in the Pakistan limited overs teams.

“I am hopeful that going forward I can repay the faith shown in me by the captain and coaching staff. It’s not easy to be in and out of the side, but as a youngster and as an inexperienced cricketer sometimes that happens, you have to wait for your opportunity and you have to bide your time. I think when you are a youngster coming into international cricket and you don’t make that century or take 5 wickets in one of your first few matches, then it’s difficult for you to establish yourself. I certainly do not see anything wrong with the number of matches I have played or the small number of opportunities I have been given, rather I see it as a challenge to establish myself in international cricket and I feel I am ready to meet that challenge.”

With Pakistan’s new head coach Dav Whatmore at the helm, the doors of selection seem to have been opened to all. Current and former international cricketers are all trying to catch the eye of the coaching staff. Hammad is of the opinion that the players at the NCA have really enjoyed working with both Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain and already the new coaching team are having a positive impact.

“Both Dav and Julien make us work hard, but at the same time it’s very enjoyable. They are great guys, very friendly and have great insight into the game of cricket. I’m thoroughly enjoying working with both of the coaches and feel that I am learning a lot from them. Julien has been spending a lot of time with me on my fielding as this is an area where we feel I need to improve together with my bowling.”

Hammad has previously stated that he feels in order to become a genuine all rounder he needs to work on his bowling and confirmed that he was having an extended stay at the NCA primarily to iron out some technical flaws in his bowling.

“The video analysis that the coaches are working with me on has been really beneficial. The current break in domestic and international cricket has worked out well for me, as it has given me the opportunity to stay at the NCA and to work with Dav and Julien on my bowling. We have been going through lots of videos of my bowling and the coaches have identified some technical issues that we have been working upon recently. When I watched the videos that were played back to me and when the flaws were pointed out to me, it was really interesting to see what I was doing wrong. I’m confident that now that these technical problems have been identified and pointed out to me, I feel that I can improve as a bowler.”

Hammad has come through the ranks and has represented Pakistan at various junior levels and as Pakistan cricket sees a dwindling number of “A” and junior tours overseas, he stressed the importance of junior tours around the world for the betterment of Pakistan cricket and the development of the nation’s young cricketers.

“There can never be enough Under 19 or “A” tours or Academy tours around the world, especially outside Asia, so that young cricketers in Pakistan get the opportunity to play on surfaces that are different to what they experience in Pakistan. These tours are essential for the development of those cricketers who aren’t quite ready for international cricket. Such tours can only increase the pool of promising cricketers and provide competition for places, which is a good thing for Pakistani cricket.”

The recent postponement by the Bangladesh Cricket Board of the proposed 2 match series by Bangladesh was disappointing to Pakistani fans, the PCB and the Pakistani cricketers, especially as it was seen as the return of international cricket to Pakistani shores. Hammad expressed his disappointment at the postponement but hoped that the return of international cricket to Pakistan is not too far away.

“The postponement of the Bangladesh team's tour of Pakistan was very disappointing for all of the players. We were really looking forward to play international cricket on home soil and for the matches to be postponed was very sad. Whilst the facilities in the UAE are excellent and the fans get behind us, playing in your own country is special and I hope that the return of international cricket to Pakistan is not too far away.”

Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf has recently confirmed that a high profile domestic twenty over tournament will be launched this year and the news is undoubtedly a boost to Pakistan’s cricketers according to Hammad.

“We have not had the opportunity to play in too many twenty over tournaments around the world and the news of a new domestic twenty over tournament has been welcomed by all of the Pakistani cricketers, both internationals and non internationals. It will definitely raise the profile of Pakistan cricket and I hope that it is a huge success.”

The ongoing Indian Premier League has once again seen Pakistani cricketers excluded for non cricketing reasons. Hammad though feels that the IPL would be better for the involvement of Pakistani cricketers and hopes that one day he will get the opportunity to play in the tournament.

“Everyone knows that Pakistani cricketers are currently not being given the opportunity to play in the IPL but I do genuinely believe that the tournament would be a greater spectacle with the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers. I’m hopeful that one day the situation will be resolved and my countrymen and I will be able to walk out in front of the crowds at the IPL.”

With Abdul Razzaq and Sohail Tanvir both out of favour with the selectors, the opportunity is there for Hammad to establish himself as a regular in the Pakistan limited overs teams. The talent and determination is there and it remains to be seen if he can grab that opportunity with both hands.