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PakPassion.net: How did the idea of Playing in domestic cricket in Pakistan come about?

Bilal Shafayat: I have a few friends in the Pakistani cricket setup who were advising me to play in Pakistan. About 4 years ago, Mushtaq Ahmed had seen me playing at Nottingham and recommended that I play here during the English off season. Then about 2 years ago, Rawait Khan who is an ex Derbyshire cricketer on the English county circuit mentioned the Customs team to me. After expressing my interest to play for Customs, Zahoor Elahi and Navid Latif supported my inclusion.

PakPassion.net: Where have you been staying since you came to Pakistan to play domestic cricket and is Customs providing you with any accommodation?

Bilal Shafayat: Yes, customs provide us with accommodated when required. The first 5 games were in Karachi and we stayed at the Customs Cricket academy, then we moved on to Lahore where I am currently staying with Zahoor Elahi or various hotels when with the team.

PakPassion.net: Can you outline the main differences between County cricket and Pak domestic cricket?

Bilal Shafayat: Domestic cricket in England is more organised then in Pakistan, little things like the releasing fixture dates in good time or what ball is going to be used in a tournament needs some improvement. There is also a lack of support for the development needs of younger cricketer’s, for example, most of the major domestic teams like Customs or National Bank, do not have colts or youth setup. 

PakPassion.net: What is your view on the standards of pitches in Pakistan?

Bilal Shafayat: They are more batting friendly due to their slow and flat nature; fast bowlers do struggle while spinner find it a little easier. The pitches are also of a good standard and well maintained. There some big squares in some of the grounds where the wickets are used for only 10 games each season on average so very rarely you get to play on a bad pitched.

PakPassion.net: Why don’t other players from county cricket come to play first class cricket in Pakistan in the English off-season? 

Bilal Shafayat: A lot of it is to do with not having the luxurious conditions that you experience in England or Australia for example, there are also language, social and cultural barriers that can be issues for cricketers of a non Asian backgrounds. 

PakPassion.net: Do you see yourself coming back again for another stint & would you recommend it to other cricketers? 

Bilal Shafayat: Definitely! I would come back again, its good experience playing in these conditions and I do highly recommend it to other cricketers when ever I can. We have a few other over seas cricketers playing this season, namely Kasim Sheikh of Scotland and Waqar Kudratullah, an 18 year old lad from Sydney, Australia who is also playing for Customs.

PakPassion.net: Who is the best batsman that you have come across in Pakistan domestic cricket this season?

Bilal Shafayat: It’s not easy to spot a good batmen but the old timers like Zahoor Elahi are amongst the highest run getters statistically. Ramiz Aziz and Nasir Jamshed are the best batmen I have personally come across this season.

PakPassion.net: Who is the best bowler that you have come across in Pakistan domestic cricket this season?

Bilal Shafayat: I have been impressed by Mohammed Aamer from the National Bank team, a left arm quick who got the ability to swing it. Also, a tall right arm quickie called Amir Yousuf who bowls beautiful out swingers is also making a name for himself on the domestic circuit. 

PakPassion.net: Name some future stars you seen in the domestic circuit? Any hidden talent we don’t know about?

Bilal Shafayat: A young lad called Kaleem Sana-ula Rehman who in an 18 year old, left arm fast bowler, there is definitely something reminiscent of Wasim Akram about him, he has a natural left arm action and has a great fighting attitude. Kaleem will definitely be playing for Pakistan U19 team very soon. Another name is Ramiz Aziz, a very confident batmen who plays for the customs team.

PakPassion.net: Can you tell us a bit more about Ramiz Aziz? people are calling him the Pakistani Lara.

Bilal Shafayat: (Laughs) Well you know, I am the one who started calling him Lara due to his exquisite and powerful stoke play and the names has sort of stuck with him amongst his other team mates. I watched him score 150 odd against strong PIA side which included names like Najaf Shah and Anwar Ali in their bowling line up. He is definitely one for the future and should make his way to the international level.

PakPassion.net: You haven’t scored many runs in the QEA trophy, why is that? 

Bilal Shafayat: (Laughs) Simply, I have found my self walking back to the pavilion in some bizarre situations this season, where the ball has either rolled onto the stumps or I have clipped it into the hands of a fielder on the leg side, I can not blame anyone for this apart from myself but there has also been a few lets say “dodgy” decisions that have gone against me.

PakPassion.net: How well organized has the QEA Trophy been and if you had to make any recommendations on improving the competition what would they be?

Bilal Shafayat: It organisation needs some work, for example, it would be great if they could release the schedule out earlier as the matches are only announced 2 weeks prior to the tournament start date, this effects the planning and mental approach to the game. We also had a huge problem with the ball manufacturer this season. The Kookaburra ball had to be changed to another brand half way through the tournament as all the teams complained the ball was falling apart very quickly – more thought and responsibility need to put into some of these areas. 

PakPassion.net: How would Pak domestic teams fare against English counties?
Bilal Shafayat: Batsmen would struggle in English conditions as they are not used to the bounce and movement, Pakistan has some of the flattest pitches in the world which can be a serious disadvantage to their less experienced players when tourning. The fast bowlers that I have seen would definitely cash on the seaming conditions on offer to them specially in the early season. 

PakPassion.net:Which is the best team you have seen in QEA trophy?

Bilal Shafayat: I would say it’s last years winners Northern Sui Gas which have been very impressive and boasts good players like Misbah Ul Haq, Mohammed Hafeez and Samiullah Niazi in their squad. 

PakPassion.net: Do you think department teams have an advantage over regional teams because they offer more money?

Bilal Shafayat: I have not really experienced the financial side of Pakistani domestic cricket as much, so would not be in a position to comment as we are not paid to play for Customs but are given a daily allowance which is very minimal.

PakPassion.net: What is you view on the quality of coaching in Pakistan cricket compared to English cricket?

Bilal Shafayat: The coaching has been excellent and very well organised, In Karachi Harris Khan and Jalaludin have been doing a wonderful work in the Custom and National academies. In Punjab, Mansoor Rana has been doing a fine job heading the coaching setup and I am really impressed with their commitment to the game and helping younger cricketers. 

PakPassion.net: You are playing along side Mohammed Zahid, a serious cult figure on Pakpassion.net, How has he been bowling and what other past and present Pakistan International cricketers have got to know or work with while playing in Pakistan. 

Bilal Shafayat: Playing along side Mohammed Zahid is very exciting as his name still gets the opposition teams in a state of panic. He has been taking it easy in the last few matches as he gets back into rhythm. He is working hard on his fitness and is still a very quick bowler today. He came back to cricket with a 50% fitness level and according to our coaches he is now up to 70% which is very encouraging to see. I have seen him bowl some rapid deliveries in the nets and if he continues to works hard here, he could be a leading wicket taker in these tournaments. I have got a to know a few international crickets while playing here, Salman Butt is a good friend of mine.

PakPassion.net:In your opinion is Pakistan safe for foreign cricketers?

Bilal Shafayat: Well, I am considered a foreign cricketer and have been coming back for a while now. There are absolutely no issues with security and I feel perfectly safe coming to play here. 

PakPassion.net: What have been the highs and lows of playing in Pakistan?

Bilal Shafayat: There have been a few highs, like playing against international names like Younis Khan, Afridi, Abdul Razzak. The best moment for me was setting the field for Afridi and catching him on the first ball. I positioned two men at silly point and watched the ball fall into my hands after he edge it. He was not a happy man walking back to the pavilion.

As for the lows, it has to be sitting on zero point after eight games this season.

PakPassion.net: So on to sledging, does it exist in Pakistani domestic cricket?

Bilal Shafayat: I would say not as much as you experience in English county cricket, it’s a much more friendlier environment here but you find the more experienced, international cricketers will always have something to say – not naming any names. 

PakPassion.net: What have the crowds been like in the matches you have played and what could the PCB do to get more people to go and watch these matches?

Bilal Shafayat: Disappointing! the highest number of spectators I have seen was about 80 people when we played against Gujranwala. A lot of it has to do with the general public lack of interest with the international game and this is naturally affecting the domestic following. 

PakPassion.net: Why do you think you have not been called up to the England squad? 

Bilal Shafayat: I need to be consistently getting good runs under my belt, until this happens, I can’t see the ECB selectors taking an interest in me. Let’s see how this coming English country season is for me, I believe that if I can get the runs, I will get a call up, it’s as simple as that but I need to work hard just like everyone else.

PakPassion.net: Thank you for talking to us Bilal and we wish you all the best in the future, here and back home in England.

Bilal Shafayat: Your welcome, feel free to keep in touch when I am back in the UK, you guys seem like a decent bunch!