Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net former Pakistan batsman Yasir Hameed expressed his disappointment at not being named in the 30 man initial squad for the Champions Trophy.

“I’ve been working really hard this season in domestic cricket and was hoping that the selectors would give me a chance by naming me in the 30 man squad for the Champions Trophy” stated Yasir.

Yasir who has represented Pakistan in 23 tests and 56 one day internationals and averages 34.52 and 36.87 respectively is currently in the UK with his family. “I decided to come over to the UK for some personal reasons and whilst over here I am playing a couple of games as a substitute professional for Bolton based club Farnworth”, added Yasir.

Yasir continued “A representative of the selectors contacted me after I wasn’t selected and told me to not give up and to keep on working hard and that my time may come. However I haven’t had too much communication directly from the selectors themselves”. “I’ll be going back to Pakistan in a couple of weeks and will get back to my fitness work and training regime and then start the new domestic season with PIA”.

Yasir added “I’m looking at what happens with the IPL with great interest as there were a couple of franchises who were thinking about signing me at the last auction, but sadly with Pakistani players not being allowed to take part, that fell through. I hope that Pakistani players like myself are given the opportunity to play in future competitions like the IPL and the American Premier League when that starts”.

It remains to be seen if Yasir Hameed is in the thoughts of new chief selector Iqbal Qasim and colleagues such as Ijaz Ahmed, Saleem Altaf etc especially given that the likes of Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad seem to be in favour at the moment.