Mohammad Sami promises to roar back
He was touted as the next Malcolm http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Marshall-c74817 as he had a similar action, frame and height and had the great ability to surprise batsmen with speed and nip off the wicket. Yet like so many Pakistani pacers who promised so much, Mohammad
Sami failed to deliver at the international stage.
The slim and athletic pacer hails from Karachi, a city renowned for producing world class batsmen like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Javed-Miandad-c66580 and Hanif Mohammad.
Hence, Sami’s introduction to international cricket at the turn of this century was unexpected, yet was difficult to deny after his outstanding run in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy fist class competition in 2000-01.
After playing 34 tests, Sami has an ordinary return of 84 wickets at an extremely modest average of 50.73 runs per wicket.
He made a comeback in Pakistan’s test team during the second test on the ill fated tour of Australia at Sydney earlier in the year. He rocked http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s top order, claiming three wickets to help send the hosts packing for a total
of 127 runs in the first innings.
After http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 where he was unlucky to miss out on regular selection despite impressive performances
in two matches.
His darkest over came about in the group game against Australia where David Hussey tore into him, smashing Sami for three sixes in the arc over mid-off and mid-on.
After the end of the English tour, Sami is harbouring hopes of a return to international cricket, especially since the first choice test attack of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif remain suspended due to their alleged involvement in
spot-fixing during the Lords test.
Sami is eyeing this as a window of opportunity to resurrect an unimpressive, stop start career.
"I've not taken much time off during the off season and have been working hard on my game at the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rashid-Latif-c84084 Cricket Academy, as well as training on my own," Sami told a Pakistani website.
He added that he was raring to go and prove his detractors that he still had it in him.
"I want to ensure that I am 100% ready when the new season starts. I am hopeful that the hard work will pay off and I can be given another chance for Pakistan."
The right armer made a big impact in his first test by grabbing 8 wickets against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in Lahore in only his third test.
"Sometimes statistics don't always tell the full story," Sami said. "I don't want to offer excuses, but those that have followed my career will appreciate that I have not had the best of luck. I am a better bowler than my statistics
suggest and I will prove that in the coming months and years if given the opportunity."
He added that he was disappointed after having been left out of the team despite delivering in the Sydney test. "I was given one opportunity in Australia and took three wickets in the first innings. I removed the Australian top three
batsmen and felt in good shape, but then I never played in the next match. I'm desperate to be given another chance and to show what I can do, if given a decent run in the side."
The pacer has a better record in the ODI format where he averages 28.44 for his 118 wickets. Sami hopes that he would get the nod for the 2011 World Cup, set to be played in the sub-continent from February next year.
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