Aqib Javed unsure of his place (28 November 1998)

28 November 1998

Aqib Javed unsure of his place

By Our Special Representative

PESHAWAR, Nov 27: Aqib Javed on Friday hoped that he would consolidate his position in the Pakistan team but was unsure of his identity.

"I am very happy to be playing Test again. I would give my best and try to retain my place for future games but I am perplexed as to what is my identity," Aqib Javed told Dawn at the Arbab Niaz Stadium.

Javed said in 1994-95, he played six Tests and took 29 wickets but was sidelined. "The argument the then officials gave was that I was a one-day bowler. This season, I was played in only six one-day games out of the 12 Pakistan contested.

"I am confused. I don't know if I am a Test bowler or a limited overs games bowler," he said.

Aqib, before this match, took part in 21 Tests and claimed 54 wickets with five for 84 as his Test best. In 163 one-dayers, he has captured 182 wickets with seven for 37 as his best.

The 27-year-old pacer said he was not against the inclusion of young blood but wanted that there should be one criterian for the selection of each player. "If a youngster takes two wickets in 25 overs and I am taking 29 wickets in six matches, don't I deserve to be in the side," he questioned.

In place of Aqib, the selectors tried no less than six young pacers as supporting bowlers to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis but none could establish himself. Either they struggled with fitness or with form. At least Aqib gets the credit for not missing tests because of injuries.

Aqib was also denied chances as some of the experts felt that he became open chest after undergoing an operation in Australia in 1992-93. "I took 29 wickets in six Tests three years ago. Last season in the Patron's Trophy, I took more than 50 wickets. So I don't think surgery had affected my bowling action.

"In fact, I think I have gained some more pace in my bowling," Aqib, who played a season with Hampshire in 1991, added.

When pointed out that his performance in 21 Tests was very dismal, he said: "In the early days of my career, I played with Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan and Mushtaq Ahmad. They were so effective that I hardly got an opportunity to make my presence felt. They used to run through the opposition because they all were basically strike bowlers while I was considered to be striker-cum-container.

"If I look back at my career, this was the biggest disadvantage I had but it had been a glorious time when Pakistan was winning everything, including the World Cup. It was a great feeling to be part of any winning side."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)