The Faysal Bank Super 8 squads were announced today by the Pakistan Cricket Board with the all round strength of the Karachi Dolphins squad immediately catching the eye. Speaking to PakPassion.net , emerging all-rounder Hammad Azam feels that Karachi are going to be the team to beat, but also feels that he and his team mates at the Rawalpindi Rams should not be written off.

By Saj Sadiq

21June 2011

The Faysal Bank Super 8 squads were announced today by the Pakistan Cricket Board with the all round strength of the Karachi Dolphins squad immediately catching the eye.

The tournament commences on 24th June for eight days, with all matches being played under floodlights in Faisalabad. Twenty20 cricket has proved to be extremely popular in Pakistan and the PCB will be hoping that the locals will turn out in huge numbers, despite the tournament missing a number of star performers who are playing County cricket in England.

Speaking to PakPassion.net , emerging all-rounder Hammad Azam feels that Karachi are going to be the team to beat, but also feels that he and his team mates at the Rawalpindi Rams should not be written off.

"On paper the Karachi Dolphins look a powerful unit and the team to beat. They are going to be there or thereabouts when it comes to the final. However my team, the Rawalpindi Rams should not be written off either. Last year we lost in the semi-finals to the Dolphins after scoring 210, but I feel we are a stronger team this time around. We don't have many big names in our squad like some of the other teams but we have a number of talented boys and great team spirit."

Hammad is seen as one of Pakistan's bright young talents and definitely an individual who impressed many observers on the recent tour of the Caribbean where he played four out of the five one day internationals.

"Playing in the Caribbean was a great experience. I was given a run of four matches against the West Indies which really boosted my confidence. Overall I wasn't satisfied with my performance and felt I could have done better. I would say I was steady rather than spectacular in the West Indies and the one match that I played in Ireland. It's all part of the learning curve for me and the experience has done me a lot of good."

The twenty year old Azam also emphasised the importance of working with the coaches and senior players away from match situations.

"I feel that it's not just about learning and taking on board advice in match situations, but also making the most of the opportunity of working with great bowlers like Waqar Younis, as well as Aaqib Javed, both of whom have spent a lot of time with me on areas of my bowling. I've also been working with the senior batsmen and various batting coaches on areas of my batting that I am looking to improve upon."

A number of Pakistanis have been given the opportunity to play County Cricket in England this summer and County Cricket is a challenge that certainly appeals to Hammad.

"County Cricket is a fantastic challenge and opportunity for cricketers all around the world and it's definitely something that I want to take part in at some point in the future. The chance to play in English conditions and against the world's best cricketers in a variety of formats is very appealing. I was offered some club contracts in England this summer but after some deliberation I opted to return to Pakistan to play in the Faysal Bank Twenty20 tournament and then go to Lahore, to work at the National Cricket Academy during the summer months - until the series against Zimbabwe which I hope to get selected for."

Hammad was an unused squad member of the last Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean but hopes that a bright performance in the Faysal Bank Twenty20 competition will set him up nicely for a more active role in next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

"The selectors will no doubt be casting a close eye over the players in this week’s tournament and competition for places will be intense. I am feeling confident and have faith in my ability that I can impress in this tournament and ensure that I get more opportunities to play for Pakistan."

The Rawalpindi Rams are placed in Group B along with the Faisalabad Wolves, Karachi Dolphins and the Multan Tigers and start their campaign against the Dolphins in the tournament curtain raiser