Azeem Ghumman, a former under-19 captain and experienced domestic cricketer, joined PakPassion for an insightful conversation about his cricketing journey and future plans. Born in Hyderabad, Azeem has played nearly 200 domestic matches since his first-class debut in 2007 and has represented Pakistan A and under-23s.

By Saj Sadiq (04-09-2024)

Despite being touted as a promising player with a bright future, Azeem’s first-class average of 28.79 has been a point of contention. He reflects candidly on his career, acknowledging that while statistics may not always tell the full story, various factors, including team dynamics and captains’ decisions, have impacted his opportunities. He emphasizes that cricket in Pakistan involves complex politics and pressures, which can be challenging for players.

Azeem also touches on the broader issues in Pakistan cricket, such as the lack of consistent opportunities and the challenges of adapting to frequent changes in the cricketing structure. He expresses optimism about recent positive changes, including better scheduling and pitch improvements, but stresses the importance of stability and long-term commitment to these reforms.

Discussing the new generation of cricketers, Azeem speaks positively about Saim Ayub, appreciating the pressure and expectations placed on young talent and comparing it to the rise of Babar Azam. He supports the inclusion of promising young players in various formats of the game, seeing it as a step in the right direction.

While he has explored opportunities in the U.S. and England, he remains engaged with domestic cricket in Pakistan and is considering various options for the future. He also highlights his educational achievements, including a Master’s degree from Oxford University, which he pursued alongside his cricket career.

Some of the key highlights of this interview are:

Reflections on Domestic Cricket in Pakistan: Azeem Ghumman acknowledged that while statistics are significant, they do not always capture the complexities faced by players.

Challenges of Not Playing International Cricket: Reflected on his journey, emphasizing the difficulties of not breaking into the international scene despite early promise. He pointed out that many factors, beyond just individual performance, can affect a player's progression to the national team.

Media and Fan Pressure: Discussed the significant pressure from media and fans, which can be overwhelming for players. This pressure often adds to the already challenging environment in Pakistani cricket, where expectations are high, and scrutiny is constant.

Issues in Nurturing Talent: Explored the broader issues within Pakistan cricket, particularly the struggle to consistently nurture and develop talent, attributed this to the lack of consistent opportunities and the frequent changes in the cricketing structure, which make it difficult for players to find stability and grow.

Positive Changes in the Domestic Circuit: Despite the challenges, Azeem Ghumman expressed optimism about recent positive changes in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. He highlighted the improvements in scheduling and pitch conditions, which he believes are steps in the right direction.

On Saim Ayub: Azeem Ghumman speaks highly of the new generation of cricketers, particularly Saim Ayub. He draws parallels between Saim’s rise and that of Babar Azam, noting the immense pressure and expectations placed on young players. He supports the inclusion of young talent in various formats of the game, seeing it as a positive development for Pakistan cricket.

Future Plans: While Azeem Ghumman has explored opportunities in the U.S. and England, he remains committed to domestic cricket in Pakistan. He is considering various options for his future, both within and outside of cricket. Notably, he also highlighted his academic achievements, including a Master’s degree from Oxford University, which he pursued alongside his cricket career.


Watch the full interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJkuoUNLGbY