'I've thrown my wicket away too often'
The Wednesday Interview with Pakistan's Yasir Hameed
09-Jun-2004
Within the wiry and fragile frame of Yasir Hameed may lie the answer to Pakistan's long-standing No. 3 problem. Since making a record-breaking Test debut - scoring a century in each innings - in August last year, Yasir has impressed a lot (and frustrated a little). Nevertheless, he still averages 49 in Tests, and nearly 45 in the one-dayers. Osman Samiuddin caught up with him:
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At what age did you start playing cricket?
I started playing proper cricket at Under-16 level in Peshawar. I used to play when I was younger, but never took it that seriously. I was about 14 when there was an Imran Khan cricket camp for schoolchildren, and it was the first time I played with a hard ball and pads etc. After that I joined a local club and started playing regularly. I got picked for Peshawar Under-19s soon after, and I eventually graduated to the senior team in 1996-97. I had a good season in 1999-2000, scoring nearly 1300 runs, and making three consecutive centuries. That was the season when I really started to take my game seriously.
I started playing proper cricket at Under-16 level in Peshawar. I used to play when I was younger, but never took it that seriously. I was about 14 when there was an Imran Khan cricket camp for schoolchildren, and it was the first time I played with a hard ball and pads etc. After that I joined a local club and started playing regularly. I got picked for Peshawar Under-19s soon after, and I eventually graduated to the senior team in 1996-97. I had a good season in 1999-2000, scoring nearly 1300 runs, and making three consecutive centuries. That was the season when I really started to take my game seriously.
You made your Test debut at the fairly mature age, by Pakistan standards, of 25. Did that help?
To be honest, I could've been picked when I was 22 during that 1999-2000 season. And I think, had I been from Lahore or Karachi, I would've been picked. Around that time, I joined PIA [Pakistan International Airlines] and the professional environment and infrastructure they provided really helped me hone my game. I was lucky that I did join them, because even after missing out on the national team, I got the opportunity to develop within a professional sporting set-up.
To be honest, I could've been picked when I was 22 during that 1999-2000 season. And I think, had I been from Lahore or Karachi, I would've been picked. Around that time, I joined PIA [Pakistan International Airlines] and the professional environment and infrastructure they provided really helped me hone my game. I was lucky that I did join them, because even after missing out on the national team, I got the opportunity to develop within a professional sporting set-up.
Who have been the biggest influences on your career?
Moin Khan really looked after me when I started at PIA, both on and off the field. He provided me with an environment where I could flourish, and he taught me a lot about the game and how to handle pressure. But I would say that my father's death really was the turning point for me. When something like that happens in your life, it really alters your thinking about a lot of things - if I had been as dedicated to the game and thought about it like I do now, I would have made my debut earlier. But having the shelter of a father taken away instilled a strong self-belief in me, and it helped me to where I am now.
Moin Khan really looked after me when I started at PIA, both on and off the field. He provided me with an environment where I could flourish, and he taught me a lot about the game and how to handle pressure. But I would say that my father's death really was the turning point for me. When something like that happens in your life, it really alters your thinking about a lot of things - if I had been as dedicated to the game and thought about it like I do now, I would have made my debut earlier. But having the shelter of a father taken away instilled a strong self-belief in me, and it helped me to where I am now.
You were only the second batsman ever to score two hundreds on Test debut. Were you aware of the record as you approached your century in the second innings?
I found out on the fourth evening when I returned to the hotel on 68. I got quite nervous and cautious the next morning, but luckily we were in control of the match and there was no other pressure on me. Also because I had scored 170 in the first innings, I knew I was in good touch, so the nerves were allayed to some extent by these factors. But when I got there, it was just unbelievable. There was so much emotion, and it was an immensely enjoyable occasion.
I found out on the fourth evening when I returned to the hotel on 68. I got quite nervous and cautious the next morning, but luckily we were in control of the match and there was no other pressure on me. Also because I had scored 170 in the first innings, I knew I was in good touch, so the nerves were allayed to some extent by these factors. But when I got there, it was just unbelievable. There was so much emotion, and it was an immensely enjoyable occasion.
Did opening in the one-dayers require much change in terms of technique?
Throughout my career I have batted at No. 3 in both forms of the game. I was surprised when I was promoted to open the innings, but there wasn't any major change in my game or attitude. At No. 3, you often come in very early anyway so it wasn't like I had to make a major adjustment. I felt comfortable straight away.
Throughout my career I have batted at No. 3 in both forms of the game. I was surprised when I was promoted to open the innings, but there wasn't any major change in my game or attitude. At No. 3, you often come in very early anyway so it wasn't like I had to make a major adjustment. I felt comfortable straight away.
How would you assess your own performances since your debut?
I'm not satisfied at all. I have thrown away my wicket too often. I always get a start, get to 20-odd and then just throw it all away, so in that sense I know I have to improve a lot.
I'm not satisfied at all. I have thrown away my wicket too often. I always get a start, get to 20-odd and then just throw it all away, so in that sense I know I have to improve a lot.
You have a tendency to succumb to impetuosity. Against the Indians recently you were out chasing wide balls outside off ...
This is a failing that I feel will be countered through experience. It is a mental thing more than anything. I suppose, if you can call it a consolation, it is that there isn't a glaring technical fault that I am getting out to all the time. It is more often than not my own doing and while it is some consolation, it is extremely frustrating. I need to work on my concentration levels. The recent series against India was the biggest series many of us had played, and maybe the pressure showed at times. I enjoyed it, though, and I think we learnt from it. But I think that as I play more, and in different conditions, I will eliminate this from my game.
This is a failing that I feel will be countered through experience. It is a mental thing more than anything. I suppose, if you can call it a consolation, it is that there isn't a glaring technical fault that I am getting out to all the time. It is more often than not my own doing and while it is some consolation, it is extremely frustrating. I need to work on my concentration levels. The recent series against India was the biggest series many of us had played, and maybe the pressure showed at times. I enjoyed it, though, and I think we learnt from it. But I think that as I play more, and in different conditions, I will eliminate this from my game.
How much of an influence has Javed Miandad been on your batting since you were picked for the national team?
Quite a bit. He is a real legend, and I think almost all players who have played for Pakistan, from Wasim Akram onwards, will vouch for his influence. His biggest advantage is that he is so good at assessing a player and his surrounding situation. He knows exactly what a player like Youhana needs to work on, or even Inzamam, and it is the same with me. He is a master at assessing situations which batsmen are in within a game, within the series or within their careers, and he helps them out that way. He works with me on the value of grinding out an innings, learning how to restrain myself and stay at the wicket, and develop patience.
Quite a bit. He is a real legend, and I think almost all players who have played for Pakistan, from Wasim Akram onwards, will vouch for his influence. His biggest advantage is that he is so good at assessing a player and his surrounding situation. He knows exactly what a player like Youhana needs to work on, or even Inzamam, and it is the same with me. He is a master at assessing situations which batsmen are in within a game, within the series or within their careers, and he helps them out that way. He works with me on the value of grinding out an innings, learning how to restrain myself and stay at the wicket, and develop patience.
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Do you feel that he can sometimes get carried away on the balcony gesturing for batsmen to play a certain way?
You have to allow for the fact that this guy is an alltime great. He has played in every given situation possible, and most of us in the team haven't, so when he gestures something it is usually because he has been there. For a batsman, though, especially when you are well set, you don't really notice anything - you get into that zone and you are concentrating and it doesn't register if someone is trying to gesture at you from the balcony. Inzamam really helps as well, especially with the younger players who he feels work hard and have the potential to do well. In that sense, he is a good captain for a young team.
You have to allow for the fact that this guy is an alltime great. He has played in every given situation possible, and most of us in the team haven't, so when he gestures something it is usually because he has been there. For a batsman, though, especially when you are well set, you don't really notice anything - you get into that zone and you are concentrating and it doesn't register if someone is trying to gesture at you from the balcony. Inzamam really helps as well, especially with the younger players who he feels work hard and have the potential to do well. In that sense, he is a good captain for a young team.
Did you seek out any of the Indian batsmen for advice in the recent series?
Sourav Ganguly actually offered me some tips after the series was over. He told me I had all the shots and a good game, but he gave me some advice on judging balls outside off stump and stuff like that. But generally, just watching such great batsmen play, you can't help but learn. We have Greg Chappell coming over soon so it will be interesting to chat to him. I have never seen him bat, but obviously he was a great player.
Sourav Ganguly actually offered me some tips after the series was over. He told me I had all the shots and a good game, but he gave me some advice on judging balls outside off stump and stuff like that. But generally, just watching such great batsmen play, you can't help but learn. We have Greg Chappell coming over soon so it will be interesting to chat to him. I have never seen him bat, but obviously he was a great player.
Would you like to play county cricket in England?
Definitely, as it really helps a batsman's game to develop by playing on different types of pitches. I was having some talks with Kent, although nothing was official. I think if Andrew Symonds had been involved in the Test series against Zimbabwe then something could have come out of it, but nothing did, unfortunately.
Definitely, as it really helps a batsman's game to develop by playing on different types of pitches. I was having some talks with Kent, although nothing was official. I think if Andrew Symonds had been involved in the Test series against Zimbabwe then something could have come out of it, but nothing did, unfortunately.
Pakistan are touring Australia at the end of the year - what would you like to achieve on that tour?
I have always wanted to play in Australia. I want to perform well against them, it is probably the toughest challenge in cricket today, but I want to score runs against them and hopefully even pick up the Man of the Series award.
I have always wanted to play in Australia. I want to perform well against them, it is probably the toughest challenge in cricket today, but I want to score runs against them and hopefully even pick up the Man of the Series award.