As twenty two year old pace bowler Sadaf prepares for another important season with Rawalpindi, PakPassion.net spoke with him about his plans and hopes for the coming season of domestic and possibly international cricket

By Saj Sadiq (11th November 2012) 

At only twenty two years of age, life has already had it’s ups and downs for Chakwal born left arm bowler Sadaf Hussain. Sadaf was selected for the limited overs part of Pakistan’s tour of the Caribbean last year, despite only a handful of first class appearances under his belt. Originally Hussain was one of the reserve players named by the selectors when they announced the team for the West Indies after a prolific Quaid-e-Azam season, capturing 64 wickets, including a then career-best haul of 6 for 40. However he was called up to the squad after Aizaz Cheema was declared unfit.

Whilst Hussain did not play any matches on the tour of the West Indies, he mentioned in an earlier interview with PakPassion that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience of touring the West Indies and particularly savoured the opportunity to work with legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis, who was the Pakistani head coach for that tour.

However with highs, come lows and unfortunately Sadaf’s world came crashing down when his mother passed away last year which lead him to contemplate the abandonment of his cricketing career. After lengthy deliberations with family members particularly his father, Sadaf decided to recommence his training and start playing cricket once again.

Sadaf’s return to first class cricket following the sad demise of his mother could not have gone any better. 4 wickets against National Bank in his first match back was followed by a superb performance in the Quaid E Azam Trophy match against Habib Bank, where he produced match figures of 15 for 154, including 9 for 37 in Habib Bank’s first innings. 

As Sadaf prepares for another important season with Rawalpindi, PakPassion.net spoke with him about his plans and hopes for the coming season of domestic and possibly international cricket.

“On the face of it, it’s been a long break from domestic cricket as I’ve not played since March of this year. The last match I played was during the domestic 50 over competition when I was playing for Rawalpindi Rams, but the reality is that behind the scenes there is no such thing as an off season for most cricketers” stated Sadaf.

He added “I’ve been playing club cricket in Pakistan, as well as taking part in Ramadhan tournaments. In addition I have spent some time at the National Cricket Academy working on an area that my coaches and I really felt I needed to improve which is fitness and strengthening. So while on the face of it, I’ve not been in the limelight of first class cricket, in the background I have still being playing a lot of cricket and preparing myself for the upcoming domestic season.”

Sadaf is a much sought after cricketer in domestic cricket having taken 148 wickets at only 18 runs apiece in 29 matches and it was put to him that the temptation must have been there to go and play for a departmental team in the ongoing President’s Trophy, rather than opt to continue with Rawalpindi in regional cricket, particularly after the re-organisation of first class cricket in Pakistan.

“One or two teams spoke with me about a possible move, but at the moment I really want to focus on playing for Rawalpindi and to continue to work with the coaching staff there. The likes of Sabih Azhar have really helped me in my development as a cricketer and I want to show some loyalty to them. I’m hearing that the regional four day tournament may start in December so I’m preparing myself for that competition, for what is an important season for myself.”

With Pakistan’s Twenty20 domestic competition pencilled in also for December, the opportunity is there for all to impress the selectors ahead of the tours of India and South Africa and Sadaf explained how he hoped to catch the eye of Iqbal Qasim and his selection committee.

“I was close to an international opportunity in the West Indies in 2011, but that never happened. However that is part of cricket, you have to wait for your chance, wait for that opportunity to come and then grasp it with both hands. There’s a lot of competition for places in the fast bowling department for Pakistan. You have a number of experienced fast bowlers who are regularly picked and then there is a group of younger, up and coming fast bowlers who are vying for a chance at international level, particularly with big series against India and the tour of South Africa coming up. All are trying their utmost to impress the selection committee.”

“There is a lot of emphasis on Twenty20 cricket in Pakistan, but for the Rawalpindi T20 team there is a lot of competition for places in the fast bowling department with the likes of Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat, so at the moment my chances in that format are limited. However I feel I can make a mark in four day cricket and one day cricket in the upcoming season, and hopefully impress the selectors once again. The most important thing for me is to perform consistently in domestic cricket and I know that if my chance does arrive I will not let anyone down. I hope that chance is not too far away but at the same time I have to be patient and bide my time.”  

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