KheloPakistan are proud to present an exclusive conversation with Shaan Masood. Shaan, is a Pakistan A player who has represented Pakistan at Under 15 and Under 19 level. Here he talks to us about his career thus far and his hopes for the future.
KheloPakistan: First of all; on behalf of all at KheloPakistan we will like to thank-you for giving us your valuable time. Shaan Masood: My pleasure. of the rain, it was really a surprise how a team as big as that couldn't win.
KP: Where did your interest in cricket come from?
SM: I think this was a case of inheritance. My dad is a huge fan and just sitting with him and watching Pakistan play from an early age made me want to pursue the sport. I am told that from the age of 4 all I wanted to do was hold that cricket bat.
KP: You are Kuwaiti born; at what age did you move to Pakistan?
SM: Well I was born in 1989, but in 90-91 Iraq attacked Kuwait, we moved to the USA for 2 years before shifting to Pakistan.
KP: Pakistani parents, in large, are eager in their child's education, how were your parents towards this? Were they supportive of you trying to become a cricketer?
SM: Like any other parents who have achieved whatever they have through education, they have always emphasised on education coming first. But my parents have been supporting me throughout they let me leave school to do my O-Levels privately and sent me to England for a year to boarding school to do my A-Levels. I've luckily produced results Alhamdulillah, such as achieving straight A's in both O and A-levels, and along with that I've gone on to play for Pakistan u19 and Pakistan A, hence the support has been immense.
KP: How did you balance your studies along with training and practicing?
SM: This was the toughest part, I had to leave school. Then I would join a private tuition centre which is ran by Ms Hina, she's been a big influence in my life. I use to go to the centre at 9 till 2, then go to for practice and gym from 3 to 7, then would tuition from 7-9 before attending another tuition lesson from 9-11. This was the routine I had to follow, but to achieve my goals of being one of the best cricket players and being educated sacrifices have to be made.
KP: Who coached you as a child?
SM: Well I've had lots of inputs, started off with Sikander Bakht then Mansoor Akhtar, after that Aaqib Javed who probably is the biggest influence in my life as far as coaching is concerned.
KP: At what point did you realise that you had made it as a professional player?
SM: My second u19 season when I finished in the top 3 scorers with Umer Amin and Ahmed Shahzad. In the same season I went on to have successful u19 tours in Australia and England and made my first class debut for Karachi whites in which I scored 54.
KP: You played in the Under 19 World Cup in 2008 in Malaysia, what was the feeling like representing Pakistan again after you did it at Under 15 level too?
SM: The feeling of playing for Pakistan is something I'd give up anything to get it. Having the star right where your heart is signifies the feeling of playing for Pakistan. The u19 experience was amazing but I recall my recent experience of the home series against Afghanistan where we got exactly the same kit as the Pakistan team and the only difference was the 'A' team written next to Pakistan, it made me realise how this one letter stands between me and my dream.
KP: You was a part of that team in a star-studded line up. Likes of Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Amin, Usman Salhauddin, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Amir have gone onto play for the senior side; how easy was it or was it difficult with too many stars in the dressing room?
SM: Well nobody was a household name then. We were a very well gelled unit, we had been together for almost 2 years. It probably was the best u19 side that represented Pakistan. It was a shame that our hard work of two years was not justly rewarded.
KP: On a personal level in that World Cup your own batting performances were not good; also Pakistan suffered a thrashing at the hands of South Africa in the Semi-Final; what went wrong?
SM: I’ll be the first one to raise my hand up and say that I should be blamed for the performances put on display. A lot was made of our exit and my performances, people don't realise that is a part and parcel of the game, before that I was one of the most consistent performers for the u19s side and in the regional tournaments. but every player goes through such tough times and that was the toughest time in my life. But it’s probably the turning point of my career too, it made me a stronger person and l came back into first class cricket and established a name for myself as one of the most reliable batsman around. As far as the team was concerned we were a bit unlucky cause
KP: You have played 39 first class games and average 31 how satisfied have you been with your career thus far?
SM: I am a true believer of how numbers can be presented in both positive and negative way. We have a lot of cases in Pakistan where a person might be the top scorer or wicket taker in the first class season but his overall figures won't justify his case. I'm not at all satisfied with my overall stats, but if you look at my stats for HBL and in the pentangular tournament they are immense. I believe my actual cricket started 3 years ago after the u19 world cup when I star studded team like HBL. If I wasn't a performer I would never be a sure shot in this team for 3 years. I average 40 plus for the bank and I average 52 in the pentangular tournament. Also that this was my first full season in first class cricket, I scored almost a thousand runs this season, the only thing that I feel bad about is that there was only one century and about 8-9 fifties this season, the conversion rate has to be better which it will be as I play more cricket as its all about gaining experience.
KP: You bowl some useful medium pace, do you believe you have been under used as a bowler?
SM: This is an interesting story, I never took up to cement my place in the side or to make up for a bad days batting performance. My coach at the Durham University MCCU gave me the bowl in the nets and when he saw me bowling he had a serious go at me for not pursuing an all rounders path. My first over was in a county game against Durham county and I managed to get Dale Benkenstein out with my second ball. 10,000 plus runs but his middle stump went cart wheeling. But sadly in Pakistan people have played in encouraging me to bowl.
KP: What was your best innings thus far? And the best bowling spell you have faced?
SM: Your first, first class ton has to be the best. It was against wapda in 2010 at the diamond ground which is the most terrible track for batsman. It’s the quickest deck in pakistan and in 4day games they coat the whole pitch with grass. The bowling attack was sarfaraz Ahmed, Umaid Asif and Azhar Attari with Zulfiqar Babar, I got 127 and we won a crucial match to go to the top of the table. Toughest bowling spell would be a tie betweeen my first game for habib bank at the same ground with the same grassy wicket against SNGPL, Asad Ali, Sami Niazi and Saad Altaf bowled in tandom when we were 30-5, I scored 70 in that game and got us the lead, I got hit everywhere on my body but remained firm. The other one would be the quaid trophy final against PIA under lights facing Aizaz Cheema, Anwer Ali and Najaf Shah, I scored 54 in that match but what that innings did was set up the match for us.
KP: Looking at Pakistani domestic cricket from the inside, who are the batters that are knocking on the door for a national call-up?
SM: Id start with the best, Ahmed Shahzad who is the best talent around. Afaq Raheem is someone I admire, he is sound and has so much time to play the ball. Ayub Dogar is someone who consistently scores. Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin are two very promising middle order batsman along with Rameez Aziz and Rameez Raja. Ill be straight forward and say that I'm not that far off too especially after such a good season, and when a reliable opener is needed but would like to get some more experience under my belt. I am a big fan of Umer Amin and hopefully good performances in the coming months will bring him back to the national side.
KP: Your 2012 started on a high with a brilliant 100 in Peshawar, but you have not kicked on, is this a mental issue?
SM: Well after that knock I only remember one disaster which was the game against Baluchistan. After that the game against Sindh was called off in which I remained not out. The one day tournament for the first time did not materialise for me as I kept on in unfamiliar positions, but it is something I'll have to get used to because of the big side I play in. I averaged 50plus in List A cricket but a few bad performances this season brought that down. But if you take the whole season it’s been more of a success and the season started from October and especially in the first class bit I scored close to a thousand runs which is by no mean an easy feat. Apart from that there hasn't been much cricket in 2012 for me. But inshALLAH you'll see different and better results by the end of this year.
KP: You played some club cricket in Durham; how was this experience and are you looking to get another contract this summer?
SM: I'd like to correct you here. I played for the Durham University MCCU which is one of the 6 cricket centre of excellences built by the ECB and MCC. It gives professional cricket players a chance to play cricket and study. It has produced player such as Andrew Strauss, Nasser Hussain and James Foster from Durham University itself only. It also plays 3 games each season against 3 different counties. I managed to score an unbeaten 50 and bagged 3 wickets against a Durham side that had Liam Plunkett, Graeme Onions and Ian Blackwell in their side. As far as club cricket is concerned I will be going to England and be playing for a club in Ilford.
KP: Has any former player tried to help you with your technique or any flaws in your game?
SM: I come across as someone who has one of the best techniques. There is an age for one to work on technical skills, after that one just makes minor adjustments. The year after the u19 world cup when I went to boarding school, I spent a lot of time on the bowling machine working out how to play the moving bowl. Nowadays I consult mostly with Ijaz Ahmed, along with Mansoor Rana on any little bits I need to change. As far as the mental side of the game is concerned I talk a lot with Aaqib Javed as he is the medicine for that.
KP: What are your plans in the future? You are still 22 years of age and have plenty of time in-front of you; do you still believe you can become an International cricketer one-day?
SM: If I didn't believe I would make it, I would never be here giving this interview. Like I said before I offer 2 unique selling points one is being a rare educated cricketer and second of all being a batsman with a very good technique and more of someone who can stay at the crease rather than bashing the ball and getting out. Along with that my fielding skills match any at the top level. I believe. I am in need of some little fine tuning as far as mental strength is concerned and I'm in need of some more experience under my belt which I will get as I play more and more. The aim is not to represent the side, the aim is then I do get in inshALLAH I will not get out of the side and establish myself as one of the best. I've already been a part of the recent A sides and fast track camps, a few more good performances will certainly help my cause as a lot of plaudits, coaches and players have already started putting my name up with those next in line to play. With a bit more hard work and dedication I think I will reach my goal soon inshALLAH.
KP: If you had to give any message to any up-coming talent what would it be?
SM: That there is no substitute for hard work and that Allah will reward your hard work, never give up and remember it is the hard times and not the better ones that make you a player. Also that kids that play cricket should try to study as much as possible as it will provide them with a guarantee in their life and a tension free cricket career. The third and last thing I'd like to say is think and dream big because dreams come true and if they are small then you'll only get the small piece of the cake, but that also means you have to worker harder to achieve those big.
KP: And again; we will like to thank-you for giving us your valuable time and wish you all you all the best for the future. May Allah help you achieve all your dreams.
SM: Thanks.
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