"I see a bright future for Canadian cricket, things are moving forward and InshAllah things will get better and better for us if we work hard on our game."

PakPassion.net: Where in Pakistan are you from originally & where were you brought up?

Rizwan Cheema: I am originally from Gujarat and moved between Lahore and Gujarat for short periods but never stayed in one place very long. 


PakPassion.net: Do you visit Pakistan regularly and what do you miss about Pakistan?

Rizwan Cheema: I have been back to visits a few times but it's been a while since my last trip. I'm have a big family back in Pakistan and miss my brothers and sisters a lot.


PakPassion.net: So your not a married man with a wife and screaming kids?

Rizwan Cheema: No, I’m a single. (Laughs)


PakPassion.net: You're 30 years old and clearly a very talented cricket player, why did you never play in Pakistani FC cricket? 

Rizwan Cheema: I never got to play any FC cricket in Pakistan. When it was time to start playing competitive cricket around 1998, I immigrated, initially to New York where my sister lived and then onto Canada a few years later.


PakPassion.net: When did you start playing cricket professionally?

Rizwan Cheema: I loved playing cricket as a kid and watching my elder brother play at club level. I only started playing cricket professionally after coming to Canada, I was really impressed with the setup of the leagues, the quality of cricket played here and started talkng my game more seriously. 


PakPassion.net: Who were your cricketing role models whilst growing up, both Pakistani and non-Pakistani.

Rizwan Cheema: In the beginning it was Imran Khan and then Inzamam-ul-haq for his batting style. As for the bowlers, Waqar Younis was a good role model for me. Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar’s batting I also like to watch regularly. 


PakPassion.net: If the PCB approached you would you consider playing for Pakistan?

Rizwan Cheema: It's highly unlikely they would be interested in picking me as it's too difficult to make it work, I am very happy playing for Canada and how Canadian cricket board has supported me. 


PakPassion.net: Did you ever try out for Pakistan? Either with the youth (u15, u16, u19, etc), the academy or the senior teams?

Rizwan Cheema: No, when I got to that peak age where a young cricketer in Pakistan starts working on getting selected for these camps, I move to the USA. 


PakPassion.net: How long have you been living in Canada now and how are you coping with the huge change in weather, Canada is freezing.

Rizwan Cheema: I've been living in Canada nearly 8 years now, as for the cold, even folks who have been living here a lot longer then me still complain about the freezing temperatures. What can you do, you just have to wrap up warm and get on with it. 


PakPassion.net: How hard was it for you to get into Canadian team considering Selection Panels do not like 'aggressive' player but support 'technical' players

Rizwan Cheema: I was the cricketer of the year in Canada in the 2005 season, I also scored the most runs in the 2006 season as well, which helped my selection. These days the emphasis is not really on technique, don't get me wrong, there are players with good techniques coming through the Canadian setup but at the end of the day, If your consistently scoring the runs at a good average what ever your technique, that's the main thing. The biggest problem people like me experience here is immigration which delayed my professional career, I only got my clearance to play recently.


PakPassion.net: Your main strength has/will always be your positive/aggressive attitude in batting. Many players become defensive / cautious once they are in the limelight. What’s your opinion about that?

Rizwan Cheema: I have been playing cricket for a long time now, generally batsmen are taught to respect the good ball, my style is a little different, where if the ball is there to hit, I don't hold back. I don't see the bowler; I only watch the ball and this helps me play with a positive frame of mind. That's why I hit Shoaib Akthar for a SIX. (Laughs)

PakPassion.net: Don't worry Rizwan, we will come back to Shoaib Akthar later on in the interview : ) 


PakPassion.net: What’s wrong with Canadian middle and lower order batsmen? They never seem to perform. Other than you in Top order and Dhaniram in middle, some people play like amateurs. What’s your opinion on this?

Rizwan Cheema: As your probably aware, In cricket, confidence is a very important thing. There are definitely talented players in the team, but when your playing against the bigger teams, that confidence level can drop and mess up your game.


PakPassion.net: We have enjoyed watching you bat in the T20 tournament - but the standard of the Canadian's fielding have been absolutely terrible. What do you attribute this to?

Rizwan Cheema: Same reasons, when the guys are practicing on the field before a game, very rarely will they miss or drop the ball during the drills, everyone is totally focused. It's only during the game, the pressure builds up and the crowd noise can effect your concentration. If you’re not going to watch the ball, you have no chance to pick it up and throw it back but these things are a part of learning curve and will improve with experience.


PakPassion.net: Any other players who could hit big and make it in Canadian team first XI?

Rizwan Cheema: Yes there are a few guys who I think could break into the Canadian squad, as the next squad will be announced, there will be a few new players coming through. The board does ask us for suggestions. I have recommended a few names from my own club www.pcbcricketclub.com where I captain the first team, namely Saad Bin Zafar, Saad bin Nazar, Mohmmad Shakir and a few others. 


PakPassion.net: Do you think Canada has the strength to qualify for major tournaments like the ICC World Twenty20 and the ICC World Cup?

Rizwan Cheema: There is good chances that we will start featuring more in major tournaments. The recent T20 tournament hosted some top quality teams and we gave a not so brilliant yet still very respectable performance. A lot of work is still required and we will work hard to achieve our goals.


PakPassion.net: What is the standard of domestic cricket like in Canada?

Rizwan Cheema: It's not bad, the quality of the grounds are good along with the standards of the leagues and umpiring. The cricketing level is not exceptionally high but the talent is definitely there.


PakPassion.net: What do you think cricket administrators in Canada need to do to ensure that one day cricket can eventually compete with the major sports in Canada?

Rizwan Cheema: To increase the popularity of the game here, the most important thing is we continue to host big tournaments, recently they hosted a series with the West Indies which was "Zabardast" and then the Al-Barakah T20 which was also a huge success. The Canadian Cricket Board need to get good sponsors backing them so that players can make cricket a full time occupation and always be available when called up for the national side. If the players have to working for a living to survive, they are not going to put all their focus on Cricket and the team will not improve .


PakPassion.net: This leads us on to the next question. Do all the Canadian players have day jobs to support themselves, is this true ?

Rizwan Cheema: Yes, the Canadian board is not at the level where they can afford to pay the players full time salaries. As you know, you need to work to live; I am also currently working but take time off during series.


PakPassion.net: Where do you see Canadian team in next 5 to 10 years.

Rizwan Cheema: I see a bright future for Canadian cricket, things are moving forward and InshAllah things will get better and better for us if we work hard on our game.


PakPassion.net: Have you received any offer to join the ICL or IPL after your performance at Al-Barakah T20 tournament? If you haven't will you be interested in playing for either of those two leagues?

Rizwan Cheema: (Laughs) I am indeed interested in playing for those leagues. When a cricketer gets to play in those tournaments, he learns a lot from those around him, meanwhile the whole world is watching, so it would good stage for me to be demonstrate my abilities. It's still early day, let see what happens.


PakPassion.net: Do you feel the Canadian Cricket board will be supportive of you joining these leagues in the future?

Rizwan Cheema: I don't think the board will have any objections to me joining ICL / IPL if approached. It is beneficial for Canadian Cricket that one of their own cricketers is gaining good international experience and then shares that knowledge with junior players. 


PakPassion.net: How did you react to all the banners in the crowd supporting 'Boom Boom Cheema?

Rizwan Cheema: (Laughs) It's a very good feeling when the crowd is supporting you like that, your energy levels all of the sudden double up and it feels good that the crowd is supporting you like that, It give you a lot of confidence in your own abilities. 


PakPassion.net: What was it like playing against Pakistan in this Al-Barakah T20 tournament?

Rizwan Cheema: Pakistan I can say personally, has the best bowling attack in the world, once you've batted against bowlers like Shoaib Akthar, Sohail Tanvir, Shahid Afridi and the even better Umar Gul, other bowlers do not look so threatening. I really enjoyed playing against them and gaining the experience at this level. 


PakPassion.net: Now on to Shoaib Akhtar, was he the fastest bowler you have ever faced, or have you faced anyone quicker?

Rizwan Cheema: YES! He was definitely the fastest I ever faced.


PakPassion.net: Where you at the receiving end of any sledging on the field? 

Rizwan Cheema: No one was sledging me when I was in the middle, they didn’t say anything. Even when Akthar got me with a short one, he just came up to me and asked if I was OK. There was no sledding at all, not in urdu, punjabi or any other language. When I’m batting, I never give anyone the chance to sledge me. (Laugh)


PakPassion.net: How did it feel to hitting a delivery from Shaoib Akthar for Six?

Rizwan Cheema: That was really an amazing feeling; you have just hit the fastest bowler in the world for SIX, a feeling of accomplishment and a moment I will never forget.


PakPassion.net: Did you get to know any of the Pakistan players off the field?

Rizwan Cheema: I spoke to most of the guys from the Pakistan squad, although we do not get too much time after the games, most player will go back to their rooms tired and do not get the chance to socialise much. I did have a good chat with Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt though.


PakPassion.net: What has been the best knock you've played?

Rizwan Cheema: I'll give you three, first two were back to back ODI's against the West Indies a few months back, I made 89 off 69 balls, 10 Fours and 6 Sixes and then followed it up with 61 off 45 balls, 8 Fours and 3 Sixes. My best T20 knock was recently against Sri Lanka 68 runs off 68 balls, 4 Fours and 6 Sixes.


PakPassion.net: Where is Davidson, together both of you would make Canada a strong T20 side.

Rizwan Cheema: I can't really comment on why Davidson was not included, I honestly do not know. I was initially told that he retired from the game then learn that that was not true. It's a question for the board and selectors really.


PakPassion.net: Which format of the game is your favorite?

Rizwan Cheema: I've only played ODI's and T20, no test cricket for Canada yet but I find T20 more interesting and the crowd also love it but ODI cricket is real cricket in my view.


PakPassion.net: Have you ever been to watch internatinal games in Pakistan?

Rizwan Cheema: Yes I went to watch test matches Pakistan played against India and The West Indies as a kid when I lived in Pakistan.


PakPassion.net: How many years do you think you have left in cricket?

Rizwan Cheema: InshAllah, I hope to be playing another 7/8 years, It's easier for a batmen to prolong his professional career then a bowler. I think I’m in a good position to make the most of it.


PakPassion.net: What are your plans after you retire? Would you like to continue with the Canadian cricket team in a coaching or official capacity?

Rizwan Cheema: Well you never know, cricket is a passion so let's see how things work out, InshAllah I will be part of the Canadian Cricket setup long after I’ve decided to retire.


PakPassion.net: What did you think of Pakpassion.net’s site when browsing it earlier today? What did you like about it?

Rizwan Cheema: Yes i had a look, it's a "Zabardast" site, one of my friends who was with me at the time browsed the site in more detail was also very impressed.


PakPassion.net: On behalf of all the members at PakPassion.net, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk to you and wish you all the best for the future. Your cricketing career will be followed in some detail on Pakpassion.net as you have clearly won over some of the posters on our active discussion forum. We hope to catch up with you at a later date in your career InshAllah.

Rizwan Cheema: You are more then welcome, feel free to keep in touch and thank you.