KheloPakistan.com are proud to present an exclusive interview with young left arm fast bowler; Sadaf Hussain. Sadaf is a 22 year old from Chakwal. He has been a top performer in first class circuit since last 2 years. Amazing thing about Sadaf is his height and seam presentation. Sadaf is 6'3" tall. Sadaf has been close to a Pakistani call-up for sometime, and managed it in 2011's tour to the Caribbean. He didn't manage to get a game, but here talks about his upbringing, that call-up and his career thus far.
Sadaf Hussain: I come from a village near Chakwal, Punjab. As most of the kids around, I started playing tape ball cricket when I was 8 years old. I continued playing tape ball cricket in Chakwal for next few years. Then I alongside the family moved to Rawalpindi, that is where I joined a proper cricket club and started playing hard ball cricket. I excelled at club level and hence was selected to represent Pakistan U-19 team. Played in regional U-19 teams for 2 years, then I 2010, I was lucky enough to get a first class game. But played only 3 games in my first season, next year I performed well and played throughout the season, till then I have been a prominent part of various first class teams.
KP: Was your family co-operative? Did they promote your passion, your talent or like most Pakistani parents they wanted you to focus on your studies alone?
SH: Thankfully my parents have always encouraged my talent; in fact my father is the one who pushed me into playing hard ball cricket at club level. Dad used to tell me that hard ball cricket is the real cricket.
KP: When did you decide that you want to become a bowler and not a batsman?
SH: I used to watch Pakistan games on my television, Wasim Akram’s charisma really inspired me, the way he used to terrorise the batsman, really impressed me. That’s when I started to mimic his bowling action.
KP: What’s your main weapon? Swing, seam, yorker, slower ball, bouncer?
SH: I have got a very fine natural in-swinger, got a good yorker as well. Working on my reverse swinging skills these days. I have developed a good out-swing delivery as well.
KP: What is your average pace?
SH: I usually bowl at around 135-140 KpH, but can clock up to 145 but mainly I focus on accurate bowling at a pace above 135 KpH.
KP: According to you, what is an ideal age to start playing club cricket?
SH: I started my club career at an age of 17, but I think 13-15 years is an ideal for a youngster to start his club career.
KP: Have you had help of Wasim Akram yet? If not; which ex-players have helped?
SH: It would be a dream come true, if I meet my legendary hero Wasim Akram, although we haven’t yet. Talking about ex-players, Aqib Javed has put in a big deal in me. He has really helped me out with minor shortcoming is my bowling.
KP: Where do you see yourself, five years down the road?
SH: Everyone wants to be best in their particular field; I’ll try my best to deliver at the top level, if Insha Allah, I get a call up.
KP: Apart from Wasim Akram, what international bowler inspired you most? Who do you think is the most complete bowler?
SH: No one can be regarded as perfect, but I really envy Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh’s rhythm and their accuracy.
KP: Unfortunately, despite of the fact that you are such a fantastic first class bowler [148 wickets in 29 games, average about 18] you have only played 8 List-A games and no T20 games at all. What are the selectors thinking? Don’t they think you are a complete bowler who can play all 3 formats?
SH: I don’t know what should I say, but I myself am surprised, for not getting picked up, despite bowling so well in the longest version of the game. Though, I am really hopeful that I’ll be able to transfer my current FC form into shorter versions as well.
KP: Your most prized wicket in fc or a batsman you love bowling to?
SH: Played a game against HBL a few days ago, they were a star studded team, had Ahmad Shahzad, Hassan Raza in the side. I took 9 wickets against them, which was a very proud moment. Talking about prize wicket or the best batsman, I think Afaq Raheem is the finest batsman I have ever bowled to. Better than many international batsmen.
KP: Which one has been your most memorable spell so far?
SH: Last season, I was playing a FC game against ZTBL, they earned a lead of around 70-80 runs in the first innings, I came back and took 6 wickets in their second innings and then we went on to win the game. I claimed the wickets of star batsmen like Imran Nazir, Yasir Hameed and Shahid Yousuf in that spell.
KP: You was picked in the West Indian tour, but never played a game. After that you were dropped; has this demoralized your confidence?
SH: It’s not quite like I was written off after that tour; I played in bilateral series against Afghanistan coming month. Ended up as man of the series in that 3 match series. After that it’s been quite a demoralising story. I don’t still know why I was dropped in the first place.
KP: Pakistan has so many talented youngsters in the domestic game like yourself, yet very few get the chance to play in the full team, yet old heads like Farhat and Shoaib Malik get repeated call ups. How can this change in your opinion?
SH: I have never felt that way; it’s all about one chance. Once you are provided with that chance, it’s up to you if you avail that chance or let the opportunity pass by. Allah SWT has best plans for us. I am confident enough, once I get a call in, I’ll deliver my best.
KP: A lot of people have had negative remarks on Misbah ul haq and the way Pakistan are playing there current ODI, Test & T20 squads. How do you rate Misbah as a captain and player?
SH: Misbah is a very fine player and a top captain; previously he whitewashed world’s number one team. Actually Pakistan nation’s mindset is to be blamed here, they remember your bad performances but never appreciate your good ones. People remember and curse Misbah bhai over his innings against India in Mohali, but they don’t really understand the fact that had Misbah not stuck around, Pakistan would have been bundled under 140; and would have lost by 130 runs. I’d take a 30 runs loss over a 130 runs loss on any day. I don't find it much a worry, it's a Mentality that's come over the last few years.
KP: Sadaf, this might be a bit of a personal question which you may not want want to answer but according to reports during the Afridi and Waqar younis controversial saga in the West Indies which led to Afridi being stripped of the captaincy your name was mentioned that Afridi wanted to play you in the last ODI yet Waqar said no for some reason. Could you explain to us in the camp that makes the decisions of the final XI. Captain or coach?
KP: Don’t know who have been spreading such fake news; neither coach nor captain selects an eleven on his own; it's mutual. They decide a team together with mutual consent; no such incident took place.
KP: What would it feel like to don the green of Pakistan; the same shirt that players like Imran, Wasim and Waqar used to come in bowling?
SH: Last year when I was selected for Pakistan, I was really delighted, I was almost certain that I’ll be representing my country on this tour. It wasn’t meant to happen thus didn’t happen. Though I am really hopeful that I’ll get my chance. Only thing which hurts is that, had I debuted on that tour, my mother could have watched me represent my homeland’s color, unfortunately my mother is no more; this feeling will always hurt me.
KP: Ina Lillahi Wa Ina Ilayhi Raajioon, What about county stints? You got any plans to play domestic cricket around the globe?
SH: Not yet, last year I was set to leave but then I was called in Pakistan national team thus couldn’t leave.
KP: Which ground that you haven't played on would you most like to play on and why?
SH: I‘d love to play on Australian grounds such as Sydney and Melbourne. Good support for a pace bowler also great environment.
KP: Any good players in domestic cricket, we shall look up to?
SH: Usman Salahuddin and Afaq Raheem are very fine batsmen, readymade product I’d say. Jamal Anwar is a very talented keeper batsman, hopefully he is going to be the solution for Pakistan’s wicket keeping short comings. Talha and Rahat Ali are two good pace bowlers, in spin department Zulfiqar Babar is by far the best.
KP: Any message to our readers especially to those youngsters who want to become professional cricketers.
SH: As you know I belong to rural area, I’d like to convey this message to the youngsters who reside in backward areas of Pakistan that they should not give up. Don’t get disheartened. Most of us think that your talent is of no use if you don’t have a corporate reference, but again it’s a false concept. Consider me as an example, a boy from remote Pakistan has come this far. No one can deny you your hard work, so continue to inspire; and of course, Kheltey raho Pakistan.
A very special thanks to our friend Sunny Sheikh from Holland, who arranged this encounter with Sadaf. Hopefully in future we will be bringing more such domestic performers' interviews for you.
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