Ajmal Shahzad – the new Asian face in English cricket
Young Pakistani test team shatters the confident of English squad, as host fails to clean-sweep the ongoing series against the visitors losing by 4 wickets in the 3rd test match at the Oval. The Englishmen were hoping http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, as they play the more awaited Ashes series.
The English are looking forward to an improved performance as they finish on with the test series; have rightly made a change in their side to empower the batting and bowling power of the test team. The selector has to choose from Tim Bresnan and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajmal-Shahzad-c42489 both respectable first-class (FC) and fellow Yorkshire team-mate cricketer, having good credentials of being a world class all-rounder opt for Bresnan.
Bresnan has previously been given more priority over Shahzad by English selectors; the selection of these two FC players is starting to appear as a preferred decision. Since Shahzad credentials have been up to the extent that cricket correspondent Peter Hayter referred to the youngster on 17th January 2010 as a permanent replacement for English superstar Andrew Flintoff for the Bangladesh tour. Yet the young British-Pakistani failed to cement a place in the national side at first since Bresnan was selected; later during the course on the ongoing series Shahzad came in as replacement to injured Bresnan. Shahzad replacing Bresnan for 2nd test of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 tour took an impressive of 3 wickets in his 2nd spell as the visitors missed the follow-on target.
In 2009 Bresnan made his test debut against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 tour of England, as he came in the side replacing veteran all-rounder Flintoff. The young Englishmen scored 9 runs and did not take a wicket during the test match. While, Shahzad scored 445 runs in the late middle order and took 40 wickets in the same year playing in FC, raising hopes that he may yet exhibit genuine all-rounder potential. The British-Pakistani was again led down as he was not considered by the selection committee worthy of his inclusion in England’s playing eleven at first.
Shahzad is the first British-born Asian to play cricket for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yorkshire-c867 and at 24 his career remains insignificant. 22-FC matches and 15 one-day games for county cricket; he has hardly ever made an impression on the English selector’s heart race. His dreams to play for his country national test side still wait. Senior cricket correspondent like him not only for his ability to swing the ball at pace, but due to his confidence, urge to learn more and become a better cricketer.
Shahzad says, “I was at private school. I have had to learn to fit in and I've always had the confidence. Being the first Asian wasn't a big thing”, he also adds, “It was a big thing for the Asian community when I was picked for Yorkshire. It opened avenues. But I was at Bradford grammar and then on a cricket scholarship at Woodhouse Grove, so I got noticed easily.”
The British-Asian is waiting for a proper and full chance to perform for his country. He has 6 years of FC label with him. He has already selectors talking about him that when this young talented all-rounder will wear England’s national will uniform again. Excitement has touched his heart three times alone this year, when told by senior players, cricket correspondents and selectors that he can make a name in the national team. Firstly, in the Bangladesh tour , secondly, when told that his abilities and performance can mark him a place in the upcoming Ashes, and now when he cannot play due to injury in the 4th test, in the ongoing test series in England against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
One might wonder whether this young lad will ever play for England for real or not. But the way his career and his infant talent have been treated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) it seems highly unlikely to see the young British-Asian Talent in action. His being not included in England’s playing eleven has nothing to do with racism. Since one of the greatest English captain of all time http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nasser-Hussain-c78777 has the same origin. Hence, one can only wait and see whether the ECB selectors have had valid reason for not selecting him and if not, what are the reasons of his not being part of the national team or do they just favour Bresnan above him.
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