19th March 2010

 

 

 

 

PakPassion.Net: What are your short and long term goals, as far as your cricket career is concerned? 

Azeem Ghumman: In the short term I want to play for my national team within one and a half year. I hope I can achieve this goal. In the long term my goal is to play for the national side as long as possible and to serve my country as long as possible.


PakPassion.Net: Who inspired you to be a cricketer? Is there anyone in your family? 

Azeem Ghumman: My cousin Afandyar Syed use to play for PIA in 1990's, and I would often watch him play. In those days the PIA team was the best team around so I got to watch some great cricketers. I was inspired by them.


PakPassion.Net: How do you find the balance between cricket and your education? 

Azeem Ghumman: Well it is really hard to cope with the demands. I have done my O levels and CAT for ACCA and will start my ACCA soon when I find the time. To be honest it appears quite difficult but as I enjoy my studies I am confident I will complete it someday.


PakPassion.Net: If you get selected for national team, you probably will be 2nd batsman after Faisal Athar to come from Hyderabad. How do you feel about that?


Azeem Ghumman: If I do represent Pakistan, I will in fact be the 3rd from Hyderabad after Faisal Athar and Rizwan Ahmed. Most importantly my aim is to be the first Test cricketer from Hyderabad so i will definitely strive for that. 


PakPassion.Net: Do you receive support from the people of Hyderabad? 

Azeem Ghumman: I do get lots of support from my cricket club Fazal Ur Rehman Sports where I have practiced in nets which is the best support for a cricketer I feel. 


PakPassion.Net: How’s the future of cricket in Hyderabad? Also are you satisfied with the sports facilities in Hyderabad? 

Azeem Ghumman: I think that there is talent in Hyderabad but the mental approach is not up to mark as you do not see the top players coming from this region. I do believe the players here have talent and if they were provided with good facilities they will definitely improve. The current facilities are not satisfactory. There is not a single bowling machine in Hyderabad and only two net are in working condition. Plus these facilities are only available to first class cricketers, so for others aspiring to play cricket, they are left to play in the streets.


PakPassion.Net: Do you think the part-time bowlers bowled a few too many overs in the U19 WC final? i.e (Babar Azam) 

Azeem Ghumman: No I do not think like that. I feel there should not be any question on our bowling, fielding or even my captaincy in that game as we did well to restrict them to 208.


PakPassion.Net: Where do you believe many Pakistani youngsters have failed where you have succeeded? 

Azeem Ghumman: Well I will not say they have failed but I can say I have succeeded in domestic cricket and first class cricket. In one dayers I am the only player in first class cricket who has such a good average as an opener. That is quite an achievement for me, but I still feel I have lots and lots to learn.


PakPassion.Net: How are you finding First-Class cricket? 

Azeem Ghumman: I am finding first class cricket challenging and I believe you need one good innings to make it a good season. I am always waiting for that one innings. Its great actually playing first class cricket.


PakPassion.Net: What tips would you give to aspiring children wanting to play for their country? 


Azeem Ghumman: My tip is to work hard and think of the things which are in your zone which is in your control and leave the uncontrollable thing like will I get select or not. Work hard and one day the opportunity will come.


PakPassion.Net: How is your batting technique? 

Azeem Ghumman:My batting technique is just okay. I think I know my weakness and my strong areas which is always important for a batsmen. One important thing I do know is how to score runs.


PakPassion.Net: What does playing for the country mean for young player these days? 

Azeem Ghumman: Playing for your country is a great honour trust me and whoever gets this chance is a lucky man. Playing for a long career is a really great feeling which I can’t express. I think all players are still passionate about playing for their country.


PakPassion.Net: Which current players do you admire and which players do you see as role models

Azeem Ghumman: I admire two players a lot and for different reasons - Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.


PakPassion.Net: What did you make of Yousuf’s captaincy in Australia and what do you think are the most important traits a captain should have? 

Azeem Ghumman: Well to be honest I was quite busy with my own team in the U19 World Cup and I didn’t get to watch a lot of matches. I did hear a lot about his captaincy. I think the most important criteria required in a team has been said by Quaid e Azam which is UNITY FAITH AND DISCIPLINE. These need to be reinforced by the captain. A captain has a huge role in uniting his players and having the trust of all his players.


PakPassion.Net: What is your preferred batting position? 

Azeem Ghumman: Well I am an opener and I have never really played at number 3 or 4. I just love to open and I feel I am very experienced and comfortable in that position. In the world cup I played at number 4 which was my first time playing in that position. It was a bit hard but I was willing to do it for the team as my coach felt that number 4 was the most important batting position for the team.


PakPassion.Net: What do you think of the current set up of the PCB and how do you think they can improve? 

Azeem Ghumman: I am a cricketer not an administrator so don’t know much about it.


PakPassion.Net: Are coaches in U19 setup and NCA paying attention to the technique of our young players. 

Azeem Ghumman: Well to be honest the coaches are paying a lot of attention on technique. All the coaches in NCA work very hard and do pay attention to each and everyone. Ijaz Ahmed, Ali Zia, Mohtasham Rashid and Mansoor Rana all are very hard workers and do work hard on different guys


PakPassion.Net: Who were you closest to in the U19 team? 

Azeem Ghumman: I was good friends with everyone both on and off the field, but my closest friends were Raza Hassan and Hammad Azam.


PakPassion.Net: How does it feel to be so appreciated by the nation? 

Azeem Ghumman: It’s a great feeling and one I was not expecting. We are treated like stars of today and superstars of tomorrow so I am very thankful to all our supporters.


PakPassion.Net: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? 

Azeem Ghumman: Definitely a part of the Pakistani team and one of the most important players in it.