I feel home playing in Sri Lanka – Ijaz Ahmed

By Shamzeer Jaleel 

Former Pakistan cricketer Ijaz Ahmed, who represented his country in 60 Test matches plus 250 One Day Internationals, is in Sri Lanka as the Head Coach and Team Manager of the visiting Pakistan A team.

Ahmed played for the Pakistan national team from 1986 to 2001 for 15 long years scoring a record six centuries against the Australians, which remained as a record for a long time. In 60 Tests he scored over 300 runs and excess of 600 runs in his250 ODI matches.

Speaking to exclusively to the Daily Mirror the former Pakistan cricketer, Ijaz Ahmed said, “First of all I am very happy to be back in Sri Lanka and feel playing at home. Sri Lankan people are so humble and nice, we have a great following for Pakistan cricket in Sri Lanka.” 

“We started from the High-Performance Centre in Karachi for this tour for an “A” which is a long overdue, many players are coming from the Under 19 World Cup squad. Haris and Abbas Afridi are coming from the cycle have a lot of potential. Omar Bin Yusuf too played in the Asia Cup in 2019 which took place in Colombo two years back. SkipperSaud is ready to play for Pakistan at present, QasimAkram is a future prospectand he can replace players like Shohaib Malik and Mohamed Hafeez. Waseem Shah is a fast bowler and Usman Saluadeen both having played in test matches is a big bonus for us. Slightly we are lacking in bowling but out batting is very strong. If two or three players go and play for the first team with Pakistan then my job is done,” Ahmed said.  Speaking further Ahmed said, “We played one three-day game before coming to Sri Lanka as we got only five days together at the training due to Covid. In the last two years I have seen Pakistan getting some good talent with many spinners coming up. There are many Under 19 players at present they are playing sections matches for Asia Cup and Under 19 World Cup which will take place in New Zealand. I am in charge of Junior Cricket of the Under 16, Under 19, Under 23 and Emerging team at present. Babar Azam, Umar Akmal all have come through the process. From this visiting team many will go on to play for the first national side plus PSL (Pakistan Super League) and other leagues around the globe.”

Ahmed speaking further said, “I have played against Sri Lanka and scored a century here in Kandy. These conditions are nothing new for me. Turning pitch, early swing is very common. Here I have played at the Asgiriya Stadium and I have never played at this beautiful stadium in Pallekelle. The facilities are fabulous. Indoor, Side wickets net all are in top condition and we got very good support from Janaka Pathirana who is in charge of the ground in Kandy. I have gone all part of this beautiful Island and feel this is the best ground in the country at present.”
Ahmed ended saying, “There are some Test cricketers in the Sri Lankan “A” team as well such as SadeeraSamarawickramais a great batsman saved his team from defeat. These lads I am sure will play for the national side in the near future. I have seen Dambulla wicket as well when touring with the Under 19 outfit. I have got great friends such as Mahanama, Aravinda de Silva and Murali in Sri Lanka and the Lankans are really well educated and a humble lot. When the team I have coached go on to play for the Pakistan senior national team me and my coaching staff will be more than happy that we have assisted the youngsters to go to the next level in their career which is the goal for any cricketer. Pakistan Cricket has gone to the next level with Imran Khan’s leadership and many visiting teams agreeing to come and play in Pakistan is great news. 

I applaud Sri Lankans for their braveness in agreeing to come and play in Pakistan when New Zealand and England refused. This is great friendship”.