"These Days I am a More Mature and Complete Batsman" : Imran Nazir

[Saj]

One of the most naturally talented batsmen Pakistan has produced in the recent past, Imran Nazir broke onto the international stage with gusto with some impressive and swashbuckling stroke-play all round the wicket at the tender age of 17. His attacking flair however was also his shortcoming and he was soon found out by more experienced bowlers. He was soon upstaged by the likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Taufeeq Umar and Salman Butt. Since then he has become somewhat an outcast, with few appearances in the Pakistani colours. His last innings being a T20 against England in 2010, where his only contribution was a boundary first ball he faced and out the next.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Nazir spoke of his career achievements, his experience in the Bangladesh Premier League, his opinion on which format of the game he can succeed in, and his desire for a return to the national team.



PakPassion.net: You made your international debut at the age of only 17. Looking back now do you feel that was too young and you weren’t quite ready for the rigours of international cricket?

Imran Nazir: Yes absolutely 17 was an amazing age to make my international debut. However I have always had faith in my ability and talent. I believe I have had a God given cricketing talent and even then at the age of 17 I was confident that I could perform on the world stage against the best opposition.

I was immature back then in terms of cricket and it was simply a case of just relying upon my natural ability. My aim at the start of my international career was to just go out there enjoy myself and hit the ball as hard as I could. Technique, planning, tactics weren’t issues that I felt I needed to worry about.


PakPassion.net: Your critics feel that your batting has not matured and that you still lack tactical and technical awareness. What would you say in response to this criticism?

Imran Nazir: I disagree. I feel that I am a far more mature and complete batsman these days. I’ve been playing cricket at the highest level now for over 13 years and I am of the opinion that my technique has improved and that my all round awareness of cricket has improved greatly.

I feel that I am more aware of targeting certain opposition bowlers and have improved my approach to batting in the various formats, rather than playing the same way in all three formats.


PakPassion.net: You made 64 in your first Test innings against Sri Lanka in Lahore, tell us about that innings and the experience of making your Test debut at 17?

Imran Nazir: I was honoured that I was presented with an opportunity at the age of 17, an opportunity to play for my country, an opportunity that billions of people around the world crave for. I made a fluent 64 from 87 balls and I felt Test cricket was where I belonged. I had no idea that I would only go on and play only 8 Test matches for Pakistan.


PakPassion.net: Why do you think you only went onto play 8 Test matches despite such a promising start?

Imran Nazir: Well it wasn’t just the first innings, I also made 2 Test centuries in the 8 Tests that I played in. Admittedly things did not go as well as I would have hoped, but to be labelled as someone who could not play Test cricket so early in my career was harsh and incorrect. I was discarded from Test cricket after only 3 and a half years at the age of 20 which is hard to stomach.

I have always felt and still feel that I am a batsman who can play in all three formats and be a success in all three formats. The rest is down to the Almighty and I guess it wasn’t in my fate to play Test cricket regularly.


PakPassion.net: Which do you feel was your best international innings, the one that you remember with the fondest memories?

Imran Nazir: I think my career-best innings was the 131 that I made against the West Indies in Bridgetown in May 2000. The West Indies had Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose in their bowling line up and my innings enabled Pakistan to draw the match after a first innings deficit of 145.


PakPassion.net: You’ve faced a lot of excellent bowlers in your career, but who do you think is the best bowler that you have batted against?

Imran Nazir: That’s a difficult question. I’ve faced legendary bowlers in my career and it’s been an honour to be batting against the likes of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. In Pakistan there were of course Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, all of the aforementioned were greats and deserve the utmost respect.


PakPassion.net: You have featured in 79 One Day Internationals for Pakistan, but were never really able to establish yourself and it seemed quite often the fall guy after a defeat. Do you feel you received a raw deal from the selectors in the past?

Imran Nazir: My job is to play cricket, go out on the field and perform. I leave the selection of the team to the selectors. I have no axes to grind against any selectors. The selectors have picked the teams to the best of their ability and they will probably feel that I have not been consistent enough or performed well enough.

My focus is to do well in domestic cricket and try and once again catch the eye of the selectors which is what I am trying to do at the moment.


PakPassion.net: You’ve worked with a number of coaches over the years, do you think the importance of coaches is overrated or are they an integral part of cricket?

Imran Nazir: A coach can only explain, help and teach the cricketers he is put in charge of. Once the players go out in to the middle there is very little the coach can do. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a number of excellent coaches. At the end of the day it’s down to the player himself to learn and to perform and it’s entirely down to the cricketer to apply what advice he has been given. You cannot blame the coach if a player does not apply himself and bat responsibly.

I worked with Ian Pont recently at the Bangladesh Premier League and he simply said to me to bat for as long as possible. Pont told me to stay at the crease, not to worry about how many runs I had scored in the first 6 overs but to just stay out in the middle and to aim to bat for the full twenty overs. He told me “think about batting for the twenty overs as you have all the shots and that if you bat anywhere near the full twenty overs you will be close to scoring a century.”

I took on-board what Pont said to me and it worked for me and I had a good BPL tournament. People have accused me of not taking singles, instead just going for the big shots, well I would urge those individuals to look at my innings at the BPL.


PakPassion.net: You have been labelled by some as a cricketer who can only succeed in the twenty over format. What is your response to this accusation?

Imran Nazir: I will reiterate that I have been given a God gifted talent. I feel that talent enables me to do well in all formats. Cricket has moved on, it’s become a lot more technical, the weaknesses of every batsman are analysed and pinpointed by the opposition. There are no batsmen out there currently and there never has been any batsman who has played cricket who has not had any weakness in his batting.

I have faith in my ability and I am confident that I can make a comeback for Pakistan in all three formats. Test cricket has changed and scoring rates have increased in the five day format, so I feel that my style of batting can be effective in Test cricket also.


PakPassion.net: It could be said that you have too many shots and haven’t always picked the right one?

Imran Nazir: Cricketing maturity comes with age and experience. I feel that I have matured now as a cricketer having played for so long against so many different types of opposition, against all types of bowlers and alongside many great cricketers.


PakPassion.net: Let’s speak about that innings of 160 from 121 deliveries against Zimbabwe at Kingston during the 2007 World Cup. Did you think a double century was possible during that innings?

Imran Nazir: My confidence levels that day were very high and everything clicked into place. Recently for Lashings I made in excess of 150 from 41 deliveries and I am sure that I can reach the landmark of 200 in a one day innings. I have a lot of self-belief these days, perhaps that was lacking at times during my international career. If it’s my day and I can bat close to the full 50 overs in a one day international I know I can score a double century.


PakPassion.net: We’ve seen an influx of twenty over tournaments around the world, which must be a blessing in disguise for a player of your hitting ability?

Imran Nazir: Yes the Bangladesh Premier League was an enjoyable experience and I’m also looking forward to the Sri Lankan Premier League too. These tournaments are exciting and I’d like to play in more of them around the world such as the Big Bash League and perhaps the Friends Life T20 in England. They are exciting tournaments for the fans and the players also.


PakPassion.net: You last played for Pakistan in February 2010, do you feel you have still have the desire and the temperament to play international cricket?

Imran Nazir: 100%. There is absolutely no doubt about it. I feel that now is my time to be playing international cricket as I think that I am a far better batsman these days, a more complete batsman, a batsman who has the ability to singlehandedly win a match for Pakistan. I would like nothing better to be given another chance to play for my country.


PakPassion.net: There are some rumours that your name will be included in the 30 man preliminary squad for the Twenty20 world cup later this year. What would a recall to the international team mean to you?

Imran Nazir: It would be fantastic if that happens. I sincerely hope that it occurs but let’s wait and see.


PakPassion.net: Many thanks for your time today.

Imran Nazir: My pleasure and before I sign off, I would just like to thank all of my fans around the world for all the support they have given me over the years and for all their prayers. It’s greatly appreciated and I hope that I can come back to international cricket and make them happy.

[Square Drive]

He didn't know how to block the ball. It was just do-or-die for him, swinging the bat each time, ala Afridi.

A real opener should be like Hafeez (when he's consistent). Block the good deliveries, smash the loose ones away.

[shaz619]

Never have doubted his ability in the shorter formats, i hope he is selected for the world cup. Sad that he never lived up to his immense talent, but a hafeez type of ressurection could just be around the corner. I wish imran was oyr gayle or maybe a sehwag

[Markhor]

It was a mistake for him to have been selected at such an early stage of his career when he should have been given a few more years to mature and develop in domestic cricket. It is encouraging that he is admitting his shortcomings - he did lack maturity and brains when batting, and for that he is categorised as a slogger amongst the likes of Razzaq, Afridi, Shahzaib and so on. But he is a good fielder and we need limited overs specialists - we need to pick the right players for the right formats, like him for ODIs and T20s.

[LastLaugh_PK]

The way he plays he will flop ten times out of ten if there is even a small amount of movement in the ball.

[Boi]

Immensely talented batsmen. You don't make a century against likes of Walsh and Ambrose so early in you're test career by fluke. He was mis-managed slightly as he shouldn't have been thrown in so early, however he himself also should take some degree of blame for that. He has all the talent in the world but has never showed application, temperament, and eventually that's why he hasn't progressed as he should've.

However, he's been in excellent form recently and the selectors would be mad not to have him in the World T20 squad. I hope he can make a case for himself in other formats too, by performing in the coming domestic season.

[Anfield]

"150 from 41 deliveries" tells me he hasn't matured a tiny bit..

[King Khan]

The guy should never have been dropped from the t20 squad. Odi and test he doesn't have the temperament.

[cricketpassion]

He should be in t20 squad.

[chui_kadoo]

Great Interview and a great read. Loved Imran Nazir's answers. He seems as determined as ever to get back in the side and hasnt lost hope. Hopefully we will see alot of him in international colours in the near future.

[Bullet Drive]

He must play in the T20 world cup.

[chacha kashmiri]

I guess getting discarded from test cricket made him develop the way he has

[Green]

Don't really rate him.
He may have had natural talent on his side, but he's never really shown any reliability.
I think going back to him would be going backwards.

[w8in_4_0402]

The guy is a must for t20's.

[Ironcat]

These days, eh?

[Nazir_ Rules]

Sadly he hasn't got the right connections, otherwise he would be in the T20 squad for Pakistan at the least.

[sallu78]

a must for T20 world cup.

people may say that he is a spent force but do you have players who can hit a six in Pak team???

his talent needs to be utilised.

PCB tried a few players but no one comes close to his ability.

give him the chance and start rebuilding after the cup as there would be plenty of time till the following one!!!!!!!

[saeedhk]

Should try him for the T20s.

[Badsha]

So many years in cricket but he honestly still hasn't improved. I know it's frustrating to see such a good talent go wasted but sadly it's the truth.

However, I still think he should be in the picture of T-20 cricket.

[attock]

We need someone like him in our T20 team..

Hope he gets picked for the T20 world cup........

[Monsee]

These Days I am a More Mature and Complete Batsman" : Imran Nazir

I can bet a million dollars that he cannot even play 6 balls defensively...to save a game; LOL, maturity and Nazir, they both come hand in hand, don't they :-)

[Amjid Javed]

Just like Malcolm sami, Nazir is nothing more then a glorified domestic bully.

I doubt hes improved even slightly and maturing as a player usually means a persons brain has developed. When a player has no brain cells to start with then that part is quite difficult.

Imran nazir should stick to playing in 2nd rate T20 leagues and just enjoy pummeling 2/3rd rate bowlers around the park.

[rhussain33]

Hope to see him opening in the T20 WC

His last T20I scores were: 4, 2, 0, 19, 58, 40, 33, 59, 27*

Those numbers did not deserve dropping

Easily the most dangerous and complete Batsmen to open for Pak at the top of the order...

[Acim]

"I was discarded from Test cricket after only 3 and a half years at the age of 20 which is hard to stomach. I have always felt and still feel that I am a batsman who can play in all three formats and be a success in all three formats. "


FC average of 32 after 13 years of playing cricket, 8 centuries in 126 FC matches as an opener on quite possibly the flattest tracks in world cricket, and he wants to play Test cricket?

Stick to T20 champ, even in that format you are too impatient and brainless for your own good most of the times.

So much talent has been wasted.

[Acim]

The funniest part is when he started as a 17 year he was a lot more selective in his stroke play; with time people mature but he got more and more immature.

[Bullet Drive]

Very good for Nazir. He's been selected in the squad. Great news for Pakistan. He's very important to Pakistan's chances for the T20 world cup.

[sali]

Pakistan cricket suffered a lot when selectors started selecting flashy players like Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Khalid Lateef,..... I think MOhsin changed that by focusing on players with good tamperament and technique. Now, we can see how Shafiq and Azhar have developed where we just had a revolving door before.

[style_guru]

It's not what you feel about yourself. It's what the other's feel about you.

Ask any player who has been dropped from the team, and all of them would blame it on everything else, but themselves.

Nazir Sahib, let the litmus test begin. And then we'll see it all.

[Namak_Halaal]

Superb interview.

Cannot wait to see Nazir in action at the T20 WC.

[Justcrazy]

I like his talent BUT ................

[KA$H]

it says a lot when you have to say it yourself that you've matured, but no one else is saying it on your behalf...

[Saqs]

His last innings being a T20 against England in 2010, where his only contribution was a boundary first ball he faced and out the next.

I love this.

[umarf76]

Saw him at Dubai international airport the other day. I was under the impression that he was a fit guy till I saw him up close. Looked very unfit with a pot belly. Was talking to some other guy and the whole conversation was only about money.

A athlete should work on his fitness a lot harder than this. Just shows that he has no discipline and therefore I hope he does not make the team.

[crikket fan]

He needs second chance in 20-20

[Badsha]

Originally Posted by umarf76 Saw him at Dubai international airport the other day. I was under the impression that he was a fit guy till I saw him up close. Looked very unfit with a pot belly. Was talking to some other guy and the whole conversation was only about money. A athlete should work on his fitness a lot harder than this. Just shows that he has no discipline and therefore I hope he does not make the team.

That's surprising. Imran Nazir has always been thought of one the "fit" guys in the team.

[crikket fan]

Originally Posted by umarf76 Saw him at Dubai international airport the other day. I was under the impression that he was a fit guy till I saw him up close. Looked very unfit with a pot belly. Was talking to some other guy and the whole conversation was only about money. A athlete should work on his fitness a lot harder than this. Just shows that he has no discipline and therefore I hope he does not make the team.

yes

[Bullet Drive]

Nazir has always been one of the fittest cricketers in the team. Our best fielder, very good between the wickets..

[Yuri]

Kuch nahi iske bas ki.. Umar Akmal > Nazir *100

[doctordamor]

wasn't he fined last domestic season for swearing at umpires?

[Ironcat]

His maturity was at full show last year:

LAHORE, June 9: Lytton Road police on Thursday registered a case against cricketer Imran Nazir and two others for their alleged attempt to kidnap a resident of Samanabad on Wednesday night. Complainant Sohail told the police that Imran Nazir and his two accomplices tried to kidnap him at Qartaba Chowk around 9:30pm. He said the kidnap bid, however, failed as a crowd gathered on the spot after he (Sohail) raised an alarm. Dawn Civil Lines Investigation SP Liaqat Ali Malik told any arrest would be made in the light of findings of preliminary inquiry into the incident and after completion of verification process.

http://dawn.com/2011/06/10/kidnap-bi...nst-cricketer/

[bmwduran]

buddha khosat!

[farazaidi]

Originally Posted by Yuri Kuch nahi iske bas ki.. Shahzaib > Nazir *100

Fixed. And I dont even rate Shahzaib

[chui_kadoo]

Originally Posted by umarf76 Saw him at Dubai international airport the other day. I was under the impression that he was a fit guy till I saw him up close. Looked very unfit with a pot belly. Was talking to some other guy and the whole conversation was only about money. A athlete should work on his fitness a lot harder than this. Just shows that he has no discipline and therefore I hope he does not make the team.

Very hard to believe. This guy is fit as a fiddle. Cheetah on the field. Are you sure it was Imran Nazir you saw?

I wont believe it until I see a photo.

[Saqlain_doosra]

Brilliant interview. Saj your lucky to be interview Imran Nazir, it should be me interviewing him.

[CalculatedRisk]

"These days..." gives the impression that it is a seasonal change;)

[haseebbabar]

Originally Posted by Ironcat His maturity was at full show last year: http://dawn.com/2011/06/10/kidnap-bi...nst-cricketer/

lol true also this mature fellow reminds me of "that" match gifting 48 runs in 7 balls, he bowled in the Hong Kong super 6 series... massive "Retirement savings investment" i must tell you

[alinedian]

really cant wait more to see him play again ...he is the most stylish batsman one could ever see .....he can hit the ball for six on his wish to any bowler .......my favorite ...wish him best of luck for the upcoming T20 w.cup ....

[Raz]

A big welcome back to the T20 squad for Imran Nazir. He is undoubtedly the best T20 opener in Pakistan. He has the greatest range of shots of all the candidates and he's experienced too.

I'm confident that insha'Allah he will prove he is one of the best T20 openers in the upcoming series against Australia and in the T20 World Cup.

[sarmadsl]

if he fires we will havr higher chances of winning
hope that he will thrash every body there

[Saj]

He's back.

Remains one of Pakistan's most popular cricketers.

[Prince of Pakistan]

He is a monster. if he fires he'll end the game in 10 overs.

[zaid65]

These days, I learn to play with luck ( instead of bat).

[Akmal Dynasty]

Originally Posted by zaid65 These days, I learn to play with luck ( instead of bat).

Stop whining. He tried his best.

Good comeback.

[chui_kadoo]

I missed the match today. How was Nazir?

[haseebbabar]

I do sincerely hope he proves me wrong. Played okay today, Good luck to the fella!

[Akmal Dynasty]

Originally Posted by chui_kadoo I missed the match today. How was Nazir?

Watch the highlights on PTV sports.

[chui_kadoo]

Originally Posted by Akmal Dynasty Watch the highlights on PTV sports.

Im in the UK. I dont have PTV. How was his innings?

[chui_kadoo]

Nazir 22 off 26. Seems like a very slow knock. Was he playing sensibly or was it just nerves?

[zaid65]

Originally Posted by chui_kadoo I missed the match today. How was Nazir?

He was same tullay bass, it was hit or miss type of inning. But if you were expecting, Nazir has transformed into Kohli, you better start using some drugs.

[chui_kadoo]

Originally Posted by zaid65 He was same tullay bass, it was hit or miss type of inning. But if you were expecting, Nazir has transformed into Kohli, you better start using some drugs.

Thats a shame. Maybe he has been out for 30 months and the nerves got the better of him. Its only his first game. I am sure he will play better in the next couple of games.

[zulfiqar]

Played too slow today for who he is C'mon I want 13 ball 30's, that's the stuff!

[IM NOT YOU]

hes proved himself in the last few months smashing all kinds of international bowlers out of stadiums .


he even destroyed saeed ajmal himself in the sri lankan premier league with a 101 meter six.

nazir is a beast and he is an absolute potentially devastating batsman in this t20 lineup and holds a well deserved spot

[Pakprideuk]

Hit and miss today, tried hit almost all balls out of park.. Typical

[chacha kashmiri]

no worse then ausralian's warner who they have persisted with

[Namak_Halaal]

He's just warming up.

[chui_kadoo]

Originally Posted by chacha kashmiri no worse then ausralian's warner who they have persisted with

Yes they have given him a very long run despite his failures in between. Imran Nazir should be given a long run in the T20 format

[Bullet Drive]

Nazir must play the whole of the T20 world cup. He is a big game player.

[Lalafied]

Nazir should be a permanent T20 player for Pakistan, absolute beast when on song. Expect him to get in his groove once he has a couple of matches under his belt. Played some good shots today though not typical Nazir-esque aggression but I'll take him any day in my T20 as he's a pure match winner!

[jusarrived]

Surely deserves to be in the T20 squad , though i dont think hes improve one bit as a batsmen he will still do ok in T20s

[Khaleefa]

lol ... they keyword here is "these days" ... which means it's only a matter of days before he reverts back to mental retardness.

[asifp]

missed some jungli pull shots, but was fine overall!

[Prince of Pakistan]

A great fielder and impact player like Nazir should always be in the T20 team. So what if he isn't consistent? You only have 20 overs to bat and at the least 9 batsmen in the team. Once given assurity a confident Nazir will fire at the least 6/7 times out of 10 times. His quickfire 30+ scores will give Pakistan a great start.

Pakistani selectors need to understand this. This is T20 not ODI, you are allowed to take more risks.

[Usman]

Originally Posted by Pakprideuk Hit and miss today, tried hit almost all balls out of park.. Typical

You were either not watching or have some form of amnesia. He was reserved, tried to play proper cricketing shots. His technique against the short ball wasn't good at all, but he was clearly trying to be sensible because he knew the match didn't require a lot of risk.

One thing he didn't do was try to hit every ball out the park.

[Prince of Pakistan]

Yes, he played a lot of defensive shots for an Imran Nazir. The last he did this he got dropped LOL. I hope this won't be the case again.

[Nazir_ Rules]

Yea I agree with most, he needs a run in the T20. It was his comeback match, so playing the way he did today was justified, but then again there was no need for him to go all out given the score was only a mere 90 to get. Still think he played well, hopefully he can showcase his talent in the upcoming matches, later in this series as well as the T20 world cup. I'm positive he will impact the opposition, just his name being in the side is enough to bring doubts on the opposition. Lets hope he performs and stays good for Pakistan.

[FusedBulb]

Frankly speaking, I didn't see an iota worth of improvement in his batting.

First four he hit was a halwa full toss off of a spinner.
Second four was somewhat better but a typical unorthodox tulla in the deep mid-wicket/long-on area.
Third four was an ugly edge where he had no control over the shot.

Plenty of jungli swings hardly to any avail

and then he miserably got out off a full toss.

... I guess the good side of it is that this is exactly what T20 is all about so perhaps he can play T20 (without saying that he has improved or matured or have gotten better with experience. He hasn't!)

[hassan.incredible]

Relax Guyz.. yesterday was his first international match after almost 2 and a half years.. That wouls say a lot. I!!!
ts very different playing at international level and trying to maintain a spot in the team than in playing in some leagues like Slpl, Bpl etc...
Yeah right he was going for almost everything Yesterday as he was chasing a small target of 90. So there wasnt much importance in just settling in the crease and then making it big. I stringly feel that Inshallah he would Defenitely bounce back playing a valuable and more sensible innings in the upcoming matches
Just getting out in a low full toss trying to drive isnt that miserable. That can happen to any High profiled player too. that was a sharp catch at short covers too..

[Usman Chadda]

Too subdued. Couldn't connect with the pull shots and his dismissal was unlucky as he hammered that full toss straight to the fielder. Nerves got the better of him; will get better definitely (or worse if he reverts to tullay baazi)

[HaMmy FinE LeG StriKeR]

hahaha this was imran nazir, a blind slogger

what a team it was all imran nazir, kamran akmal, razzaq, and shoaib malik combined

[Saqs]

At least he has the balls to talk back when he gets sledged. The rest of them just smile and apologize for being there.