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Lack of international chances frustrates batsman

'I want to have a fair crack at one-day cricket' - Iqbal

Cricinfo staff

May 17, 2008

	Faisal Iqbal: 'For some reasons I've been always looked upon as a 'replacement' player by different selection committees' © AFP

Pakistan batsman Faisal Iqbal wants to "be part of the Pakistan team in all forms of the game" despite being overlooked for one-day selection and only being included in Pakistan's Test squad in recent times.

Iqbal, the nephew of former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad, played his last one-day international against West Indies in 2006 and his last Test against India in 2007. Pakistan will not play a Test in 2008, since Australia postponed their tour, giving Iqbal no opportunities with the national squad unless he is considered for one-dayers.

"As a professional cricketer I feel that they [the selectors] should consider me for the shorter version of the game," Iqbal told Dawn. "With no Test series to look forward to in the near future, I want to have a fair crack at one-day cricket.

Iqbal has played only 18 one-day internationals and 21 Tests since making his international debut in 2000. "For some reasons I've been always looked upon as a 'replacement' player by different selection committees," Iqbal said. "I can't remember the number of times I was picked to make a comeback. The only way I got a chance was if someone got injured as Inzamam-ul-Haq did when I marked my Test comeback with a series-winning century against India in January 2006.

"And again it was an injury to Inzamam that gave me a chance to play in my first one-dayer for more than three years. I scored 30 runs in a difficult situation in the match we lost. Since then I have been overlooked for ODI selection. I feel that unless a player gets a proper run, it's extremely difficult to cement one's place in the playing XI because inevitably, one is generally playing under pressure. The fear of failure creeps in your mind when playing opportunities are so few.

"I always believe that there is nothing more satisfying than playing for Pakistan. For this very reason, I turned down a lucrative offer from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) because I didn't want to jeopardise my future with Pakistan."

Iqbal is due to leave for Florida to take part in Twenty20 matches organised by Cricket Council USA between May 23 and 25.

© Cricinfo