Jamshed was a member of the all conquering Under 19 World Cup winning squad of 2006, that defended a total of only 106 in the final against India, where he took 2 for 24 in 7 overs.Jamshed was also selected as one of the players of that tournament who the pundits predicted would "have the world at their feet" in future.

After signing for PIA though, Jamshed's chances have been limited and more than four years on, he has only played a grand total of 15 first class matches.

Still only 21, Jamshed spoke to PakPassion.net regarding his frustrations at the limited opportunities and his hopes for his future.
 

PakPassion.net : The first time we saw you was in the the U-19 World Cup in 2006. The lasting image from that tournament is the ball you bowled in the final to a left handed batsman. It pitched middle and went out to get the batsman bowled. That delivery and the celebration followed by the wicket was very reminiscent of Wasim Akram. That was then, tell us what you are doing these days?

Jamshed Ahmed : I just got back a week ago as I was playing a tournament in Dubai. There were quite a few good teams there such as Bangladesh, Qatar, Indian teams and a Sri Lankan team as well. I represented Pakistan Badshahs and we won the tournament. After the Under-19 World Cup I joined PIA and had success straight away. In my first match against KRL, I took 5 wickets in the first innings and 2 in the second innings. However, I was dropped for the second match.


PakPassion.net : Looking back now, do you think signing up with PIA was a mistake? They already had some established bowlers.

Jamshed Ahmed : When I signed with PIA they only had a couple of bowlers at that time, Najaf Shah and myself. Umar Gul had already left PIA, Mohammad Zahid was unfit at the time and Ali Gohar, a lesser known fast bowler, had left cricket altogether. So I don’t think it was a mistake. When I joined PIA, the coach, Rashid Khan, had told me that we will play you and will line you up for the Pakistan national team as well. He had links or he was a selector himself at that time at junior level. So when I was dropped for second game, I wasn’t told on what basis I was dropped, because I believe I had performed well in my first game. Later, they selected and played me in the third match which was rained off. I got to bowl briefly and in my short spell I took the wickets of Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. In that season PIA only had three games. I played the first one, was dropped for the second and the third one got rained off.


PakPassion.net : So, what are you doing now? Are you planning on changing departments and perhaps play for a team with fewer bowlers, so you can have a greater opportunity to showcase your talent? 

Jamshed Ahmed : Actually, I did think about changing departments and spoke to a few departments as well. Basically, what they told me was that they will be giving preference to their own bowlers and I would have to wait for my opportunity. This means that their bowlers will get to play 5-6 games whereas I might get the remaining 1-2 games. Apart from everything else, one of the most important factors I have to consider is the fact that I have to support my family financially. You know the current state of Pakistan, so I need to support my family as they are dependent on me. At the moment I have a permanent job, so if I leave my job and look to play for another department then I could be without a job and my cricketing career might come to a halt as well.


PakPassion.net : Your concerns are valid but sometimes, you have to take risks to improve your life. 

Jamshed Ahmed : I agree. You have to take risks for your betterment, but the problem is that my family is totally dependent upon me. And due to the current circumstances, if I don’t get one of my monthly paychecks then my family will suffer severely. 


PakPassion.net : What are your plans for the upcoming season? 

Jamshed Ahmed : Over the past few days I have been busy working on my fitness as I am trying to get in proper shape prior to the season. Before that I was in Dubai playing T20 matches. Since four day matches are approaching soon I am focusing on improving my fitness. For the past 3-4 months I have only been playing T20s, so my fitness level hasn't been fully tested. Plus the domestic T20 tournament is approaching next month in which I will be representing the Lahore Eagles. So, I have to put in the extra effort to improve my fitness for the longer versions.


PakPassion.net : We are hopeful that you will take wickets and be noticed by the selectors. Have you been to any of the training camps for the international team? Have you had a chance to spend some time with the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Aaqib Javed? 

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, I have spent a good amount of time with Aaqib Javed at the National Cricket Academy. I have also been to Wasim Akram’s bowling camp twice which he has hosted in the past. When we returned after the Under 19 World Cup, I also went to the Pakistan camp at the National Cricket Academy. 


PakPassion.net : So you've spent some time with Wasim and Aaqib. Did they give you any tips? Have you improved as a bowler because of those tips?

Jamshed Ahmed : Aaqib bhai has given me a lot of feedback and he has helped me immensely. But again the main criteria of selecting is that they look at your domestic performances and if you have only played 3 matches and have taken 12-14 wickets, that is not enough to impress selectors. I have also met Wasim bhai and he has given me good guidance as well. Also, if the media raises your name then you get some response from people. I hail from a poor family where no one knows or has played cricket or even has knowledge about the game. They only watch because I play. I don't know anyone who can recommend me or speak on my behalf to the selectors. 


PakPassion.net : Out of the three main Pakistani bowlers in the U-19 Word Cup, you looked like a finished product. You had control and could swing it both way. Yet you seem to have fallen off the radar.

Jamshed Ahmed : Indeed, they were also taking me to the tour of Sri Lanka. First they had announced a squad of 18 players in which I was named. But for some reason two players from that squad were removed and unfortunately I was one of the two.


PakPassion.net : Most of the cricketers in Pakistan hail from poor families and don't have connections, as is the case with you. Do you think luck plays a role in selection?

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, but for instance if you look at Mohammad Amir’s emergence to international cricket you will notice his performance at junior level isn’t that impressive. But National Bank promoted him, and at that time Salman Butt backed him as well. Iqbal Qasim who was the selector at that time then selected him. I know luck plays a part in your selection, but apart from that you need someone to push your name as well. Look at Mohammad Irfan's case as well, Mashallah he has been blessed by such height.


PakPassion.net : Not sure if you know but PakPassion had recommended Mohammad Irfan to Aaqib Javed.

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, I am aware of that. I have spoken to Sajid bhai quite a few times.


PakPassion.net : You must have known Amir as you have played against each other at the domestic level. What are your views on him?

Jamshed Ahmed : Personally, I believed it was my right to get selected before him. The reason why I am saying that is because at junior level I took 35 wickets in 15 one day games. I remember I once played against Japan in a T20 and I took 3 wickets and in 2 one day matches I took 4 wickets in first match and 6 wickets in the following match. After that they played me against Bangladesh in a four day match and I took 2-3 wickets but they still didn’t consider me for the national team. Throughout my cricketing career, I believe they haven't give me enough chances to prove my talent. No one ever considered me for any format. Nobody has ever appreciated my performance, yet I give it my all when I play at any level. None of the coaches or selectors ever asked me about my progress or how I was doing. But luck was on Amir's side and he made it to the National team.


PakPassion.net : Were you surprised to see Mohammad Amir’s name in the spot fixing allegations?

Jamshed Ahmed : I was literally saddened by these allegations. I couldn’t even believe what was happening. I wasn’t that surprised with Asif because he has always been involved in controversies in the past. But personally, I was shocked to see Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt’s name as I had never doubted them or their character. Nothing has been proven yet, so let’s pray that they come out clean. There is no point in talking about this at this moment as nothing has been proved. Inshallah they will come out clean and nothing will be proven against them. These could very well just be false allegations.


PakPassion.net : Let's hope these are nothing more than false accusations but either way they have a long road ahead of them.

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, Mohammad Amir’s future is immensely bright, and Salman Butt is also a good player. And at the moment Pakistan don’t have any bowler like Mohammad Asif. Asif has immense control over his bowling and his line and length is impeccable. Asif is an asset for Pakistan, especially for matches played in England, New Zealand and Australia, as the conditions there support him well. I don't want them to be punished if they are innocent. They are an important part of the team. Inshallah they will be exonerated.

PakPassion.net : You’ve played domestic cricket for some time now. Does its standard need to be improved?

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, of course it should be improved. I mean if you compare our domestic match fees with other countries such as India you can see a notable difference. For instance, I remember when we were in India they were telling us that the match fee each player earns from each match is 1 lakh whereas if you compare it with ours then we get only Rs. 3000 per match. That is not given to all players either. It is given to young upcoming players who haven’t played international matches yet. So if money is not brought into cricket then the players will suffer a lot because they also have a family behind them whom they have to support. Due to inflation in Pakistan you don’t earn a lot. I mean if someone earn Rs. 20,000, then it is used up in 10 days. I have also tried to get club contracts in England on 4 occasions but I have been unsuccessful in getting one so far.


PakPassion.net : Tell us something about our domestic pitches. Are they fair for both batsmen and bowlers or are they completely dead?

Jamshed Ahmed : I would say they are fair. Sometimes you see some that are batsman-friendly, and spinners get an opportunity later on as the match progresses. So in my opinion they are fair, as it helps both the batsmen and bowlers. Apart from that I would say it also depends on the conditions. For instance, when our season begins the conditions suit the fast bowlers. Even if the pitch doesn't have anything for fast bowlers, the weather conditions give us something to work with. For example, if you pitch the ball at a good line and length the ball will seam itself. 


PakPassion.net : Let's talk about your bowling style. You can swing it both ways but what is your stock delivery?

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, I can swing the ball both ways. You have seen me bowling so…


PakPassion.net : Yes, but we just saw you bowl once in the U-19 World Cup but after that we didn't get to see much.

Jamshed Ahmed : Bowling style does change after some time, but thankfully I can still swing it both ways.


PakPassion.net : Have you ever had your bowling speed recorded at the National Cricket Academy?

Jamshed Ahmed :Yes, it was recorded during a T20 camp that was going on. It was recorded at around 135 km/h.


PakPassion.net : Whenever a young Pakistani player makes his debut for Pakistan, the most obvious flaw is the poor fielding. What are your thoughts on the poor fielding displayed by these players?

Jamshed Ahmed : You can never become a perfect fielder. Good fielders also drop catches at domestic level as well as the international arena. To be honest, Pakistan's fielding has always been fragile. We never had good fielders in our side. One of Pakistan's best fielders was Ijaz Ahmed, who now is fielding coach of the national team. So I think the fielding should further improve. Apart from Ijaz Ahmed, the only other great fielder Pakistan had is Imran Nazir.


PakPassion.net : How do you rate your fielding?

Jamshed Ahmed : Alhamdulillah it is very controlled and I think I'm a good fielder. I spend time practicing my catching as well as bowling. Whenever I go to the nets I tell myself that I have to work equally on my bowling and fielding. If you are a good fielder you can get a chance to play, so I do take fielding seriously. 


PakPassion.net : Did you ever have the opportunity to meet the late Bob Woolmer?

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, I met him at the National Cricket Academy about 6-7 years ago when there was an ongoing training camp for the national team.


PakPassion.net : So did he see you bowl? If so, did he give you any advice?
Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, he did see me bowl and he said that I am a future star of Pakistan cricket and I should stay committed. This happened right after I had played for the Pakistan Under 15s and he told me to focus on my fitness. There was also a practice match going on at the National Cricket Academy which was supervised by Bob Woolmer and I took 6 wickets in that game. 


PakPassion.net : You’ve seen a lot of players at the domestic level. Which batsmen or bowlers do you think will be good players for Pakistan in the future?

Jamshed Ahmed : The batsmen that I think will be good players for Pakistan are Naved Yasin, Asad Shafiq and Aamer Sajjad. Asad has already got an opportunity to play for Pakistan. Naved and Aamer should also be given a chance because they have done really well at the domestic level.


PakPassion.net : How good a batsman is Naved Yasin? How would you rate him technically?

Jamshed Ahmed : He is a very good batsman. Last season he scored 7 centuries, and that's the mark of a good batsman.


PakPassion.net : We have seen a player score lots of runs at the domestic level but they fail at the international arena due to the quality of the pitches and bowlers.

Jamshed Ahmed : Then why do you have domestic cricket? If you have domestic cricket then look at your talent, not how the player bowls or bats. I mean look at the way Chanderpaul bats. Look at the way Malinga bowls. So look at the talent, not the way he plays. If he is performing well and is scoring runs or taking wickets then he deserves a chance. They should be rewarded for their success at the domestic level.


PakPassion.net : As a professional, you should always be looking to improve. What area of your bowling do you think you should improve?

Jamshed Ahmed : At the moment I'm working on my bouncers and my speed. I'd like to improve my speed.


PakPassion.net : Have you spoken to any bowling coach regarding this?

Jamshed Ahmed : No, as I practice at my club most of the time. The coach of that club used to play for Pakistan Railways. He is a former off-spinner and a batsman but he does have knowledge of fast bowling so he has given me some tips. I am also in touch with Irfan Talib. Both of us practice and train together so he has been quite helpful to me as well.


PakPassion.net : Some coaches have told you that you are too short to be a potent fast bowler. What are your thoughts regarding such comments?

Jamshed Ahmed : Yes, many people have said that my height is a disadvantage. But in reply I have just told them that you should look at performance, not these sorts of things. Look at Shoaib Akhtar, how tall is he? As long as a player performs, then height is not an issue. You should just look at the performance. Instead of saying you are short or tall you should look at how a cricketer can improve, what are his weaknesses in batting, bowling and fielding. Rather than just discouraging a player and tell him that you can't play cricket because you are too short you should instead be helping him improve his game. Thanks to Alllah(SWT) whatever cricket I have played is due to my hard work. Nobody will ever tell me that I was selected due to nepotism or any reason other than my hard work. I've done well whenever I have been given an opportunity. 


PakPassion.net : You were a teammate of Anwar Ali in the U-19 World Cup. Do you think he's improved his bowling as much as he should have done in this time span?

Jamshed Ahmed : I think he should have improved a lot more. It is quite sad to see that he wasn't given a chance when he was in great form. If you look at Mohammad Amir he was selected right after the Under-19 World Cup. At that time Amir was performing well, hence, he performed well right at beginning of his international career as well. When a player is performing well and is selected then it is highly likely that he will perform well as he is on song. However, if he doesn't get a chance when he is performing well and is selected later on, then he would not get as many games he expected. He will further get discouraged by looking at that fact that he hasn't got enough chances to play despite performing well. If you look at Umar Akmal, when he was selected he was performing well and he also did well when he came onto the international stage. So it is a flow of a player which leads him to perform well. If you had selected Anwar Ali right after Under-19 world cup then he could have succeeded. At least you should have given him a chance against the lesser teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.


PakPassion.net : So players should be selected when they are in great form, regardless of the name.

Jamshed Ahmed : That’s what I am saying. If you look at Tanvir Ahmed he took 95-96 wickets and Zulfiqar Babar was near that as well. Instead of Zulfiqar Babar you are selecting Raza Hasan. You should give the players who have done well at the domestic level a chance before discarding them.


PakPassion.net : Yes, you are right. When we interviewed Mohsin Khan and asked him the same question.

Jamshed Ahmed : Exactly. The players who are overlooked, even after performing so well, will eventually give up cricket. I mean they will think that even if we take 200 wickets there is no point of playing. They also have to take care of their families so they will start playing cricket part time or begin looking for contracts in England.

PakPassion.net : Thank you Jamshed for your time. We wish you the best of luck in the upcoming domestic season.

Jamshed Ahmed : Thanks a lot to you too, please pray for my success.