Exclusive interview with Kashif Mahmood: Best wicket-keeper of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2010-11
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the premier first-class tournament in Pakistan and its’ performance plays a huge role for the selection process of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 shirts ended up as runner-ups.
After his superb performance in the current domestic season, he talked exclusively with www.bettor.com and this is what he had to say...
So Kashif tell us something about yourself, how did you start playing cricket?
I started playing cricket after watching my elder brother player; he used to play cricket for Crescent Club in Minto Park Lahore & M.A.O College. So I followed his footsteps and became a professional cricketer.
What is your biggest inspiration in cricket?
Without doubt my elder brother.
What is your biggest career achievement so far?
Playing the Under-15 World Cup & Asia Cup for Pakistan as Captain was a great achievement for me and I will remember that for the rest of my life. Apart from that, receiving the roll of honour from Government College University, winning the Gold medal from Muslim Model School and becoming the leading performer in domestic first-class cricket this season are big achievements for me. I also take a lot of pride in my academic background, as I have completed my Masters in Business Administration.
You were the captain of Pakistan Under-15 for the 2000 World Cup, tell us something about that and the experience?
It really was a nice experience and a really big honour for me to lead the Pakistan Team in both the Asia Cup and then later at the World Cup in England. However, I was disappointed that we failed to beat the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the final at Lords.
There were expectations that you are going to have a bright career, but you did not live up to the expectations, considering the fact that Zulqarnain Haider and Adnan Akmal were your batch-mates, but both of them eventually became Test cricketers and played for Pakistan A teams as well. But what happened that you were forgotten after junior cricket?
I did play my junior cricket mostly as a captain by the grace of the Almighty, in Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19, as both Zulqarnain and Akmal played under my captaincy. After junior cricket, I did play many domestic seasons and performed. I think luck did not favour me, I mean that was the wish of Allah, but I am still confident that after the current season’s performance, the selectors will consider me for at least the ‘A’ team tours.
You have played with Zulqarnain Haider since your early days and both of you belong to Lahore. Just a frank opinion, what was the cause behind his mysterious act in Dubai? What do you think about the whole controversy?
Well I cannot comment anything about his scenario as I myself do not have a clue what happened all of a sudden that he had to leave the team in such a manner.
How do you rate the standard of domestic cricket of Pakistan?
Standard is quite good but it needs improvement as the emphasis is on quantity at the moment rather than quality.
What are the flaws in the domestic cricket in your opinion?
There are few, but I will definitely mention that one of the biggest flaws is unfair umpiring as they give special favours to star cricketers and hesitate to give them out. Apart from that, I feel that PCB should help the domestic cricketers in improving their financial situation.
Lahore has produced so many great cricketers for Pakistan, but what is the reason that Lahore has failed to do well in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for so many years?
Yeah, it was in the past, but the situation has improved a lot now. Both the teams from Lahore finished at the third and the fourth position this season as compared to the previous years when Lahore was finishing at the eighth or ninth position. On top of that, two players from Lahore have topped in the current season in their respective departments.
Myself, in wicket-keeping and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Salahuddin-c94700, who was the top run scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2010-11. The reason is fair selection and honesty which was lacking in previous years. You can see the results as Lahore won both limited overs titles in the shape of T20 and the 50-overs tournament as well. I am very positive that Lahore is going to do very well in the coming seasons.
Any upcoming cricketers in your opinion at the domestic level?
There are many, but right now I would back myself only.
Are you keenly following the ICC World Cup 2011?
Yes, I am following the World Cup very keenly and in my opinion it is the most interesting tournament after the one held at England in 1999.
Which is the favourite team in your opinion?
Definitely Pakistan, as the Green Shirts have found a brilliant combination in the recent series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
Where do you rate Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup?
I am hopeful that Pakistan will win this tournament and the Pakistani team will give this nation a reason to smile.
So Kashif what are your goals for the future and what do you want to achieve?
It’s a dream of every player to become a Test cricketer and Insha’Allah I will play for Pakistan in all formats of the game including T20 and One Day Internationals. The PCB prefers educated cricketers now. I have done my M.B.A and now I am the top of first-class cricket as well, so I am very positive that Insha’Allah I will be considered by selectors in the future.
Thank you for giving us the time Kashif.
It has been a pleasure and I would like to thank http://www.bettor.com/ for giving coverage to the domestic cricket of Pakistan and I hope that it will continue in the future as well.
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