Awais Zia is a hard-hitting left-hander who was selected in the Pakistan T20 squad to face England in 2012 after some strong performances for domestic side Rawalpindi Rams in the Faysal Bank T20 Cup, where he helped his side reach the final.

Zia played in all three matches in the T20 series against England but despite some lusty blows, he was unable to replicate the form he had shown in domestic cricket. However, he retains an aggressive streak in domestic T20s, with a strike rate of 131.

The 27-year-old's last outing for Pakistan was two years ago but he has continued to play first-class cricket on a regular basis, scoring over 3,000 runs in 53 matches at an average of just under 40.

He recently top-scored in the first innings of the four-day match, to help Rawalpindi win the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy just one week ago. Zia came to the crease with his side struggling on 60/6 and accumulated a patient 70 before being the next man out, leaving his side on 199/7 having added 139 runs in for the seventh wicket partnership. The respectable first-innings score ensured the Rawalpindi bowlers were given a reasonable target to defend, before the batsmen capitalised in the second innings.

PakPassion.net caught up with Awais Zia to discuss the matches he played against England, his performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and his hopes of playing international cricket again.

By Farid Khan (3rd February, 2014)

PakPassion.net: You played three T20Is against England two years ago. Do you think you did yourself justice in those matches?

Awais Zia: I thought I played a bit hastily in the three T20Is I played against England and unfortunately, I couldn't perform the way I would have liked to. I couldn't adjust myself well there and played shots in a hurry as I didn't have the experience of playing international cricket.

Inshallah, if I get a chance now, I will perform much better. My form at that time when I was selected was very good and I am performing very well these days also. I am trying very hard, and am working on my technique. In first-class cricket, I have scored a lot of runs and my coaches, Sabih bhai and Wasim bhai, have guided me a lot. Inshallah, I will make a comeback soon. 


PakPassion.net: It seemed like Steven Finn had a few things to say to you in those matches?

Awais Zia: When you step into the ground, you don't see who is bowling to you. You just have to play the ball on its merit. He (Finn) was representing his country and so was I. It is not difficult to play any bowler. It just depends on how confident you are when you are playing out there. I don't hesitate at all while facing any bowler in the world.


PakPassion.net: Do you think domestic cricket prepares Pakistani cricketers well for international cricket? How can it be improved?

Awais Zia: Yes, the players are working hard and the coaches are doing their best to prepare them for the harder format of cricket. There is a lot of talent there in Pakistan. It just needs to be exposed and Inshallah all the talented lads will get their chance. The players who have been getting selected in the international side have performed in the past to justify their selection.

Unfortunately, there is no international cricket here in Pakistan as the situation here is not good. Mr. Zaka Ashraf has done a lot for Pakistan cricket and since he has now returned, we can expect some changes in domestic cricket. It's not that our domestic cricket is not good, but there is always room for improvement. In the near future, the T20 tournament in Rawalpindi will commence and there is also the President's Cup final to come, so the players have a very good chance to impress the selectors by performing in these matches as these will be televised.


PakPassion.net: You are playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season rather than the President's Trophy, why is that? What is the standard like?

Awais Zia: Yes, that's the case because a lot of our regional players opted to play for departments rather than for their region, so Sabih bhai asked me to play for Rawalpindi region season and due to him, I decided not to represent any department. I have performed well here and there is not a lot of difference. Those who perform in regional cricket get selected to play for departments. We are doing well these days and have defeated almost all departments - we overcame ZTBL and WAPDA and also led against NBP.

To be honest the standard of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is not the same as the President's Trophy, but there are a lot of good players who are playing regional cricket and as I said before, those players who do well in regional cricket get a call-up to play departmental cricket in the next season. It's a motivating factor for the players to perform and get a call-up to play for departments.


PakPassion.net: Who do you model your batting on?

Awais Zia: I haven't modeled by batting style on anyone else. In fact, I have modified it a lot and I am not the same hitter as I was some time ago. I have worked hard on my batting technique - My batting style is natural and now I am a much calmer player than before and don't try to slog every ball out of the park.


PakPassion.net: You've moved into the middle order for Rawalpindi this season, is that where you see your future?

Awais Zia: No, I will open the innings in the upcoming T20 tournament in Rawalpindi. I am batting in the middle-order in four-day cricket these days as the team requires me to do so. There are only 3-4 senior players in our team, including me, so we have to play according to the situation and have to carry the team.


PakPassion.net: Are there any bowlers in domestic cricket that have impressed you?

Awais Zia: In our region have two very fine bowlers. Nasir Malik is express and is the leading wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy currently. He is a very good seamer. Akhtar Ayub is another one to watch out for - He has done very well and is bowling in the range of 140kph. So, I believe these two bowlers have outstanding potential.

Raza Hasan of Sialkot also bowled very well to me so he, along with the bowlers in my team, have impressed me this season.


PakPassion.net: How important is it for the PCB to start up the PSL?

Awais Zia: Yes, that was very important, but unfortunately it never took place. If it happens in future, the players who are playing T20 cricket will get more opportunities to prove themselves. As more matches will be televised on TV, the players will be more encouraged to do well and perform. Also, it will be a big boost for cricket in Pakistan. We can prove to the world, by arranging the PSL here, that Pakistan is a safe country to play cricket.

The main priority should be to hold the PSL in Pakistan, but it depends on the PCB as to where they want to hold it. The PSL should be held wherever the players feel comfortable playing. If there is no possibility of it being played here in Pakistan, then it should be arranged elsewhere.


PakPassion.net: You're 27 now, do you think you can make an international comeback?

Awais Zia: Inshallah, why not? Age is a mere number for me. As long as you are fit and are performing, you can earn a recall to the national team. I am working very hard and have worked a lot on my fitness. My technique is much better now - My coaches and seniors have worked with me and I feel I am a better player now.


PakPassion.net: What do you make of Rawalpindi's chances at the next domestic T20 tournament, you seem to have a good team?

Awais Zia: Yes, we have a very balanced squad. Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat will be back for us, which will give us a much-needed boost. We have Karachi, Multan, and the newly-entered FATA in our pool. We have a lot of players who have potential and who work very hard. Inshallah, we will win the T20 tournament for Rawalpindi.

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