PakPassion.net spoke to the spin maestro as he prepared for his next assignment against Australia in UAE where he provides fascinating insight into his partnership with Saeed Ajmal as well as his own career including the turning point of his career – the series against England, and also about expectations for the forthcoming ODI series against Australia.

By Saj Sadiq (21st August, 2012)

On the 28th of January, 2012 a confident England side - ranked as the No 1 Test playing nation in the world – strode into day 4 of the 2nd Test between Pakistan and England in Abu Dhabi. After establishing a target of a mere 144 runs and with almost a day and half to go, England were expected to wrestle the initiative back from Pakistan and square the series 1-1.

What transpired in the 36.1 overs that England batted for, is now stuff of fairytales. Pakistan’s spin attack spearheaded by the well known Saeed Ajmal was expected to be a handful but no one paid attention to his spin partner, Abdur Rehman. For England this was a grave miscalculation. For Abdur Rehman, this was at last, recognition of the hard work he had put in through the years.

In 10.1 overs of absolute mayhem, Abdur Rehman literally tore through the heart of the No 1 Test Team’s vaunted batting line up, picking up 6 wickets for a mere 25 runs. The world finally sat up and took note of one of Pakistan’s most potent attacking options – Abdur Rehman had arrived on the international scene with a bang. 

To keen observers of Pakistani cricket, this was not shocking, for Abdur Rehman had been a key player in their recent upsurge in Test rankings with performances against Sri Lanka in the previous series. The destruction of the English batting order was simply a restatement of his potential - borne out of 15 years of hard graft and some disppointment at all levels of cricket - but the fact remains that Abdur Rehman has never looked back since that day in January. 

PakPassion.net spoke to the spin maestro as he prepared for his next assignment against Australia in UAE where he provides fascinating insight into his partnership with Saeed Ajmal as well as his own career including the turning point of his career – the series against England, and also about expectations for the forthcoming ODI series against Australia.


PakPassion.net: Thanks for your time today in doing this interview with PakPassion.

Abdur Rehman: No problem, my pleasure.

PakPassion.net: Ahead of the Test series against England in the UAE earlier this year, your name was hardly mentioned by fans and the media, the talk was all about the threat of Saeed Ajmal. Did that act as a motivation for you and did you feel you had a point to prove? 

Abdur Rehman: Going into that series against England my captain, team mates, coach and the team management gave me a lot of confidence. They backed me so much and told me that I was going to play a key role in the series. What more can a bowler ask for than the full backing of his team mates, the coach and the team management. I was full of confidence going into the series which was far more important than what was being written about me.

PakPassion.net: In your own words describe your team mate Saeed Ajmal? 

Abdur Rehman: It doesn’t need me to say that he’s a fantastic bowler. He’s proved that in all formats and it’s a privilege to be on the same side as Saeed. We get on very well on and off the field and it’s good to be able to discuss our bowling with one another, areas that we can work on and talk about opposition batsmen’s strengths and weaknesses. He’s a bowler who provides his team with confidence as you know that he will bowl his heart out irrespective of the match situation or the opposition.


PakPassion.net: How would you describe the bowling relationship that you and Saeed (Ajmal) have? 

Abdur Rehman: As a bowler you have good and bad days and it’s important to back each other when a team mate’s luck is not in, or he’s not feeling as confident as usual. Saeed and I have this theory where we hunt as a pair, that is we know when to attack the batsmen and when one needs to defend and the other attacks, or for that matter when we both need to defend as bowlers. 

PakPassion.net: Would you say that the Test series against England in the UAE earlier this year was the turning point of your career? 

Abdur Rehman: I am grateful to the Almighty that he has given me the skills to play cricket and I am also grateful for my mother’s prayers which are extremely important to me. England was the number one side at that time and we definitely went into the series with a point to prove as we were not given a chance by much of the media or indeed the cricketing public. 

It’s difficult to single out the series against England as the turning point of my cricket career, but it definitely gave me a lot of more confidence and self belief as a bowler despite having been playing first class cricket for more than 15 years.
 

PakPassion.net: You’ve “done the hard yards” in domestic cricket having made your debut in the 1997/98 season. There must have come a time when you thought your international chances would never come? 

Abdur Rehman: I think people tend to overlook that I actually made my international debut in 2006 in a one day international against West Indies in Faisalabad. However between 2007 and 2010 I wasn’t selected, but I look at the positives and appreciate that I have been on the international scene for more than 6 years now. Put simply there is nothing like playing for your country and I’m delighted that I am being given a consistent run in international cricket.

After being left out in 2007 I went back to domestic cricket and worked on my bowling, made some slight adjustments and thankfully I was selected again for Pakistan in 2010. 

PakPassion.net: There are some rumours coming out of Pakistan that the PCB may be looking at making some changes to the structure of domestic cricket. How do you feel about the possible changes? 

Abdur Rehman: I think from a players perspective whatever structure is in place is acceptable. At the end of the day whether you are playing against departments only, or regions only or a combination you have to perform and get noticed by the selectors. I think the idea of separating the regions and departments is a good one, but the most important thing is that young players come through the system with the help of senior players in regional or departmental cricket in Pakistan. It’s vital that young cricketers in Pakistan have the basic skills and you pick up those skills from a good standard of domestic cricket.

PakPassion.net: Let’s move onto your ongoing stint with Somerset. How do you feel it’s gone so far? 

Abdur Rehman: It’s my first season in County cricket and I’ve really enjoyed it. Recently I broke Viv Richards’ record for Somerset for the best 40 over bowling figures, Viv’s bowling figures were 6 for 28 and I took 6 for 16 which was really pleasing and something I’m very proud of.

They are a great bunch of lads at Somerset, they have made me feel very welcome and they are a very talented group of cricketers also. It’s another string to my bow to be playing County cricket and it’s important that I learn from the experience and use it to improve as a cricketer.

PakPassion.net: How does County cricket compare with Pakistani domestic cricket? 

Abdur Rehman: The major difference is the conditions, but whilst Pakistani domestic cricket is criticised by some, I feel that the standard of domestic cricket in Pakistan is also of a high standard. Domestic cricket in Pakistan is tough and recognised as one of the toughest domestic circuits in the world. 

PakPassion.net: You’ve played under a number of captains during your career, what is Marcus Trescothick like as a captain? 

Abdur Rehman: Marcus is a very experienced and knowledgeable cricketer. He’s a very supportive captain who doesn’t force his opinions on a bowler. He backs his team mates and prefers to let the bowler tell him what field he wants which is very comforting for a bowler. 

PakPassion.net: You were offered a contract at the ongoing Sri Lankan Premier League but you opted instead to play for Somerset, what was the thinking behind that? 

Abdur Rehman: My preference was County cricket because I would get the opportunity to play in all three formats for Somerset and also that I would be playing more cricket in England in County cricket instead of a few matches in Sri Lanka. The opportunity was there to play a lot more cricket here in England and that’s why I chose that option. 

PakPassion.net: Will you be playing for Somerset at the upcoming T20 Finals day in Cardiff? 

Abdur Rehman: No I’m not permitted to play at the Finals day as I have not played in any of the group matches. I’ll be heading off to the UAE on 24th August to join up with my team mates ahead of the series against Australia.

PakPassion.net: Looking ahead to the series of one day internationals against Australia. What are your thoughts on the current Australian current batting line up? 

Abdur Rehman: It doesn’t matter who is selected by the Australians you know you are in for a tough battle. Whether it’s seasoned campaigners or their up and coming youngsters they are very good cricketers. It should be a competitive and hard fought series between two good sides. If selected I’m hopeful that I can perform well against them.

PakPassion.net: How highly do you rate Michael Clarke? 

Abdur Rehman: He’s a good player but there is no point going into a series in awe of any of the opposition players. You have to go into any match and series with self belief and confidence and the mindset that you will defeat the opposition. If you go into any game of cricket fearing the opposition or worrying about them, then there is no point in walking onto the field. 

A good delivery is a good delivery to any batsman, Clarke and his team mates are very good cricketers but I’m certain that all of the Pakistan squad will fancy their chances against Australia.

PakPassion.net : You've spoken about your bowling partnership with Saeed Ajmal in Test cricket, but we've not seen it too often in one day cricket. You must be hoping for more chances in the shorter formats for Pakistan?

Abdur Rehman : That's not a decision I can make, it's something for the selectors to decide upon. I'm not one for sitting with a glum face in the dressing room if I'm not in the starting eleven or indeed if I'm not selected in the squad for one or two formats. I don't take it personally and it's something for the captain, coach and selectors to decide upon, as they will obviously make an informed decision upon conditions and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition.

PakPassion.net : You weren't selected for the T20 world cup, with Raza Hasan selected instead, that must be really disappointing?

Abdur Rehman : Every cricketer wants to play in every format for their respective country and yes I was disappointed but it did not last long and you have to move on. The selectors made the call and I respect their decision. There are no hard feelings from my side and I will just continue to try and play good cricket in the shortest format and hope I get a recall.

PakPassion.net : Do you think Pakistan have the players to win the T20 world cup in Sri Lanka?

Abdur Rehman : Most definitely. It's an open tournament with a number of teams in with a good chance. I'm sure Pakistan will perform well in Sri Lanka and they won't be a pushover for any opposition.

PakPassion.net : You seem to be a determined, aggressive and strong minded character on the field, is that a fair assessment?

Abdur Rehman : Yes I think that's a fair assessment. I walk onto the pitch with just one thing on my mind and that is to perform to the best of my ability and to help Pakistan win. Everything else is irrelevant. 

PakPassion.net : The dates and venues for Pakistan's tour of India have been announced. The Pakistani players must be excited at the thought of that tour?

Abdur Rehman : There's a special atmosphere both on and off the field when Pakistan plays India. The levels of passion from both teams are much higher and they are special occasions. There is no doubt that when the Pakistan team tours India, the boys will give their all in the hope for victory and I'm confident that we can go to India and perform well over there.

PakPassion.net : What are your plans and hopes for the future?

Abdur Rehman : My hopes are that I continue to stay fit and play good cricket for Pakistan and every other team that I represent whether that is in Pakistan or outside of Pakistan. I hope to serve my country to the best of my ability and be a good ambassador for Pakistan. 

PakPassion.net : Best wishes for the future.

Abdur Rehman : Many thanks to you and to everyone at PakPassion.

Discuss!