Speaking to PakPassion.net Yasir Hameed discussed the impact of amendments made this season by the PCB to the country's premier domestic competition, his own form and that of in-form teammate Haris Sohail, as well as his experiences of playing in previous Pakistan-India series.

By Nasser Khan (15th November 2012) 

Seasoned campaigner Yasir Hameed has accumulated almost 10,000 first-class runs over more than 15 years in domestic cricket. Speaking to PakPassion.net Hameed discussed the impact of amendments made this season by the Pakistan Cricket Board to the country's premier domestic competition, his own form and that of in-form teammate Haris Sohail. With Pakistan's tour of India scheduled for December, Hameed also talks about his experiences of playing in previous Pakistan-India series.

One of the changes made by the PCB to the President's Trophy for the current season was to disallow the participation of regional sides. Departmental teams utilise their greater financial wherewithal to sign the best players, the implication being that the overall standard of the competition will increase as a result. Hameed concurred with the decision “It’s a good move. It’s a tough competition as all the departments are playing. It’s not easy for an individual - it’s a tough time. The competition levels are increasing and it’s a good thing.” He continued “it’s more competitive than last season. Last season there were regional teams and departmental teams, and although the departments did play each other, this year only departments are playing each other. It’s more competitive from the bowling side.”

The PCB have also decided to utilise Kookaburra balls this year after receiving complaints about the quality of the locally-manufactured balls. These were used this season for the first time in the last round of matches in the President's Trophy. Hameed indicates the Kookaburra ball is likely to be easier for the batsmen to negotiate “There is greater advantage for the bowlers because the wickets are suiting them, alongside the ball they’re using.” Hameed elaborates “the Grays cricket ball helps the bowlers a lot and I think there is greater advantage for the bowlers. The seam on the ball is machined on the Grays ball. As a result it has a raised seam and when it lands on the pitch it moves. For example, where the Kookaburra ball may seam one inch [off the pitch], in comparison the Grays will seam two inches. It’s a small advantage for the bowlers but it's enough.”

“The bowlers, when they take wickets, also gain confidence when the ball is moving off the pitch and they're getting help from the pitch and ball - they bowl with greater pace. You can see this from the low scores noted in the President’s Trophy this season. Teams are struggling to post scores over 200 or 250 in this edition of the President’s Trophy. The changes to the President's Trophy this season are not wholly new either - I remember back in 1998 we also had only departmental teams being included and used the Grays ball. It feels like the revival of domestic cricket and it’s a good thing” said Hameed.

On the topic of difficult pitches, Hameed highlighted the challenges faced by the batsmen whilst citing issues with his own form due to personal reasons “locating the ball is difficult. The pitches are making it hard for batsmen to locate the ball although in the President's Trophy, perhaps I am finding it difficult to judge because I was going through a tough time as my mother had fallen ill.”

Further elaborating on the effect of stress on his form, Yasir added “I’m trying to stay in form but due to my mother’s illness I have experienced some stress over the last month. Therefore, I haven’t been able to pick up my form over this period. She’s better now but due to this I haven’t been able to focus on the President’s Trophy as I’d like to have done.”

Hameed's 23 year-old colleague at ZTBL, Haris Sohail, has been the stand-out batsman in the 2012/13 President's Trophy, having scored three consecutive centuries “He’s in very good form at the moment. His strength is that he plays very close to his body and is a very good on-side player. He’s seeing the ball well and playing well” says Hameed.

On the potential for either of the ZTBL colleagues of being chosen for Pakistan's tour of India and South Africa, Hameed places his trust in the PCB's selection committee “I don’t know if he [Sohail] will be selected – it depends on the selectors. They could take a look at me and although I haven’t been scoring runs this season, I have been scoring runs for many years on the domestic circuit and have nearly 10,000 first-class runs. It depends on what the selector’s desire – they could think that although he hasn’t scored runs, he could hit form and carry that form and benefit Pakistan, utilising his experience. The PCB can give any player a chance – whatever the selectors choose is for the best. I wish Haris all the best.”

Hameed, who played seven tests and nine one-day internationals against India, including the last series Pakistan played in India in 2007, recalls his participation in those matches “The effort levels hit 200%. When I played in the first ODI against India when they came to Pakistan [in 2004] I scored seven. I then scored 86 in the next match, in the third ODI scored 98 and then in the fourth match I made 45. The motivation level is very high and my hands and feet combine very well when I played against India! The competitiveness against each other is good.” Hameed summed up with the words echoed by most players who have taken part in Indo-Pak series “It’s good competition. I have always enjoyed playing against India.”

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