“I knew there was a conspiracy and that with time they will drop me from from every format and will later cut me from the central contract”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Pakistan middle order batsman Faisal Iqbal is convinced there is a conspiracy keeping him from playing cricket for his country.
Iqbal’s conspiracy theory comes was not given a central contract for the 2014-15 season and was also snubbed for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
In fact, Iqbal has not represented Pakistan since January 2010.
“I have a simple question: why is Faisal Iqbal being held from playing for Pakistan team,” he asked onGeo Super. “Who is the power behind my exclusion and why are they not allowing me to play? Since my debut [in 2001] players who debuted around me went playing on and on and even had thousands of comeback in the side. And I was dropped after my third comeback without even playing me in the XI.
“What am I going to do? I am scoring runs in domestic cricket, but gradually I have even been dropped from the central contracts as well so where should I go and put my case?” he said. “I am a senior player and have served the country and this should not be the way I should be treated.”
Since making his Test debut in March 2001, Iqbal has only played 26 Tests. This is attributed to the fact that his scoring has not been consistent enough to cement him a place in the national team.
“I don’t want to criticise the system of Pakistan cricket. I have all due respect as I am here only because of the cricket I have played for Pakistan,” he said. “I simply fail to understand why I am be being pushed back. Is there a conspiracy because of I am the nephew of Javed Miandad? Nobody is ready to understand and I am very frustrated at not being given answers.”
Iqbal also failed to impress the national selectors during last year’s domestic season, where he scored 538 runs at an average of 35.86. To make matters worse, 32 other batsmen performed better than him during the season.
“I am always made a fool and asked to go back to scratch and play domestic cricket again and again,” he said. “Am I only here to play domestic cricket? When will I be given due reward for my performance in domestic? If I was good enough to recalled in 2012, then why I was reduced to the bench and dropped without even giving me an opportunity. I am always taught to focus on ground performance but now I realise that I have been fooled all these years. I wanted to be heard to those who are the concerned (PCB and selectors).
“I knew there was a conspiracy and that with time they will drop me from from every format and will later cut me from the central contract. Now what will I do, probably sell mangoes in garden and perform there to win place.”