Sami Aslam: “I have not played for Pakistan in the same way I play for my domestic teams and that is because I always felt that every game for Pakistan was my last match”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Pakistan opener Sami Aslam is doing everything in his power to regain his spot in the national team, and he isn’t letting his critics shoot down his hopes of representing his country again.
Aslam’s critics have put him in their crosshairs for not being the same batsman at the domestic level in comparison to when he plays international cricket.
What they are referring to specifically is the fact that the 22-year-old has a tendency to withdraw into his shell and become overly defensive when playing for Pakistan.
In response to this, Aslam told PakPassion: “There is a simple explanation regarding this. When you come into international cricket despite having played at the Under-16 level and Under-19 level, you will find a lot of differences.
“Every player wants to cement their place in the international team and not be forgotten back into domestic cricket after having worked so hard to get into the national team.
“I scored 45 runs on ODI debut against Bangladesh and then I was dropped for a year in ODIs for no reason. It’s right that I have not played for Pakistan in the same way I play for my domestic teams and that is because I always felt that every game for Pakistan was my last match.
“I have faced the top teams abroad in England, New Zealand and Australia in tough conditions. I don’t think I was overly cautious in these series and if you look at my strike-rate, it wasn’t that bad as compared to the other players. I’d be foolish if went out there every time all guns blazing and fail, knowing that the innings could be my last for Pakistan.
“I was the third-highest run-scorer in Tests in 2016 and averaged 45. Yet I was dropped for the next series in 2017 against the West Indies. If I am continually making a comeback and my place is continuously in jeopardy, then I can’t go out there and try to smash the ball to all parts.”