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Dav Whatmore and Hammad Azam. -Photo by AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s all-rounder Hammad Azam feels the Indian Premier League (IPL) is gloomy without Pakistani cricketers but still hopes that one day he will be able to walk out in front of the crowds at the IPL.
“Everyone knows that Pakistani cricketers are currently not being given the opportunity to play in the IPL but I believe that the tournament would be a greater spectacle with the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers. I am hopeful that one day the situation will be resolved and my countrymen and I will be able to walk out in front of the crowds at the IPL,” he told Pakpassion.net.
Talking about the recent postponement by the Bangladesh Cricket Board of the proposed two-match series, Hammad said the postponement of the Bangladesh team's tour of Pakistan was very disappointing for all of the players and cricket fans in Pakistan.
“We were really looking forward to playing international cricket on home soil and for the matches to be postponed was very sad.”
Hammad, who is a member of the ongoing training camp at the National Cricket Academy at Lahore and is working under the supervision of coaches Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain, said he is now ready to establish himself in the national limited overs side.
“I am hopeful that going forward I can repay the faith shown in me by the captain and coaching staff. I certainly do not see anything wrong with the number of matches I have played or the small number of opportunities I have been given, rather I see it as a challenge to establish myself in international cricket and I feel I am ready to meet that challenge,” he said.
Hammad said he has really enjoyed working with both Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain.
“Both Dav and Julien make us work hard, but at the same time it's very enjoyable. They are great guys and have great insight into the game of cricket,” he concluded.
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Comments (39) Closed
May 03, 2012 08:37am
With Pakistanis, it will be a BLAST!! The action will be EXPLOSIVE!!
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May 03, 2012 01:20pm
Dinesh,
It is so disappointing to see so many Indian comments here that are full of arrogance and spite. Always thought Indians to be humble, mature and diplomatic. Comments on this news item have proven me wrong.
Now that is truly shameful... shame on you for trying to belittle your entire nation and spoil its image.
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May 03, 2012 08:01am
I never watch IPL and no one in England cares about IPL. It is not cricket but a typical Bollywood Tamasha. I will watch Hammad play for the national team or if he is playing county cricket in the UK but I definitely wont watch him playing pitoo garam in the IPL. What a joke!
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May 03, 2012 10:15pm
Quite aside from the rude, arrogant, spiteful comments from some Indians, the fact remains that there is nothing gloomy about IPL and Pakistani players are not particularly missed. Obviously, it is the Pakistani players -- and fans -- who are missing IPL. So instead of bleating to play in IPL or whining about canceled cricket and hockey tours, the Pakistani public could do well to press its government and military to stop backing terrorists as proxies.
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May 03, 2012 06:53am
Seprate team must be made for pakistan team like lahore badsah. Then it would be more enternaining. But this ipl is awesome.
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May 03, 2012 06:17am
Hammad is in a delusion that the IPL is poorer without Pakistani cricketers. Each successive edition of the tournament is a bigger blockbuster than its predecessor - the Pakistani players' absence notwithstanding. We heard loudmouths saying that your version of the IPL, the PPL will upstage IPL and that Pakistani cricketers will need not go anywhere to showcase their talents. So, has the dream soured so soon?
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May 03, 2012 02:46am
but as per Mr z aka , India is afraid to play with Pakistan, so ,why you want to play with loosing people? . with out Pakistani players IPL is doing with great spectacles.
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May 03, 2012 12:07pm
yes ipl is so great that from being on sky sports in its first year its in itv 4 channeal that shows how great ipl is the standerd is awfull lot of average players in the league with just aa few superstars so be realistic its ok not worldclass
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May 03, 2012 04:42am
when you don't have the guts to publish the comment, then at least send a mail to the user that his message cannot be published because of ..... reason.
Anyways we don't need any Pakistani players in our IPL. Shame on you for asking the favor. Have some self esteem.
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May 07, 2012 08:15am
Seeing the Indian comments it looks like they are afraid of playing against the Pakistani players.
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May 03, 2012 03:27am
Shut up about IPL and play cricket... I mean "cricket"i.e. if you are worthy of playing for the national side. Otherwise your comments and desires means nothing for us fans - if anything these expressions in public shows that greed motivates you not the game itself.
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May 04, 2012 08:00pm
we hav nothng to do with these indians.we have our own identity....our playrs are playng for our country that z y we are wining.long live asian champs!
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May 04, 2012 07:57pm
u are absolutely ri8 we shouldn,t go there.
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May 03, 2012 05:08am
Pakistanis,always think that they are the best and without them world is nothing......what a mad state of affairs HAHAHA! IPL is shining with all its splendor and contributing to image of India as Global Super Power and Pakistanis should know that they are inconsequential!!!!Tell openly that you want millions of dollars from IPL and not the other way!!!LOL
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May 02, 2012 07:07pm
Who Said Its Gloomy,Its safe Without Pakistani Players, If Pakistani Players Come we have to pay them and that money they will USE against US
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May 02, 2012 06:08pm
pakistani's should not be allowed in the IPL
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May 03, 2012 10:44am
Check out today's www.cricket.org and you will find Azhar Mehmood for his performance, you people are in delusion
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May 03, 2012 03:47pm
I am a die hard cricket fan and have played cricket all my life, cricket is a great sport before it is spoiled by IPL and this guy Dinesh talking about IPL's glamour and shine, I ask you one question how good indian team outside india. and how good they play in australia or england.
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May 02, 2012 06:53pm
hahahah IPL gloomy without pakistanis ? nonsense ... it does not make any difference to IPL as it dint matter all these years ..and its making n raking more money than any other sports and unfortunately all pakistanis can do is regret n rue and watch indians have fun ! poor pakistani players can do is see their indian counterparts make more money n bask in glory n wealth !
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May 03, 2012 10:19am
Why is it that Pakistanis continuously BEG the IPL to include Pakistani Cricket Players?
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May 04, 2012 05:39pm
No need to fight with each other ,but the truth is Pakistani's should maintain dignity,and self respect.specially Pakistani national players....they should not show their desire like this....it will be shamefull for them.
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May 02, 2012 04:08pm
IPL may be gloomy for you Pakistanis, but every year IPL craze is increasing worldwide. IF its gloomy then y r even thinking of playing in it.
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May 02, 2012 02:20pm
We don't think its gloomy, This IPL season seems to be one of the most entertaining ever.
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May 03, 2012 10:50am
why r u judging a whole nation by knowing few.
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May 03, 2012 10:43am
Check out today's www.cricket.org and you will find Azhar Mehmood for his performance, you people are in delusion
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May 03, 2012 10:23am
Its shame that some indian fans lack sportmansship you are giving the whole world a sad message. you should
not mix politics with sport.have love for all people of the world.
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May 03, 2012 09:17pm
I do not understand how Pakistan and its cricketers think India and IPL is missing Pakistan players!!! Seriously this delusion is laughable even in the most decent terms. India is such a huge country and it can find its own talent from its one billion population. One need not remind what Virat Kohli did to Pakistans 321 total. Just try to build your own league and also peaceful non-religious society and the world will come to your doorstep. In the meantime Pakistan players need to understand IPL is Indian domestic league for Indians and invited world class players. Thats it !
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May 03, 2012 09:20pm
Can we mix religion with sports and society??? Height of hypocrisy!!!
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May 03, 2012 08:21am
What makes you think that you can comment on the behalf of all Indians. Just say that "I" don't want Pakistanis in the IPL and do not use "We".
I'd love to see them in the IPL and I am confident other Indians would too (but I can't speak on their behalf either).
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May 02, 2012 08:18pm
Why are you guys so shameless to come and play in IPL when we don't want you. Shame on you
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May 04, 2012 09:48am
India have fear, which shows clearly all the time. if Pak players appears into IPL, no one care of Indian players..
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May 04, 2012 10:18pm
Calm down people this was just a comment from a young cricketer (regardless of where he is from). IPL is a domestic league it is by invitation only - we get it. our Indian friends. Lets move one :) No need to be pejorative.
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May 03, 2012 11:40am
Well the most respected way for Pakistanis is not to go and play for IPL unless respectfully invited.
And does not seem to be that way.
IPL the names says it all its and Indian tournament so let them do what they like.
Pakistani crickerters should avoide it so should the Pakistani public as there is
no following of IPL in Pakistan.
Even its shames be to see Zaka Ashraf asking Indian team tour , dont bother heavens wont fall.
Have self respect.
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May 04, 2012 11:17am
The funny thing is they have so much cricket in India and the IPL league and India is out in the first round in the 2Twenty-20 icc world cup.
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May 04, 2012 11:20am
India has brought politics in cricket as well . its only a Bollywood Drama not cricket IPL
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May 07, 2012 08:57pm
hey Osman,
One bad fish can't represent the whole sea, majority of indians want our pakistani friends to work together and for mutual benefits, we can achieve so much if we pick the right direction, there are so many products we can import from pakistan and export some which are in demand in pakistan, why buy it on double prices from china or USA.
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May 06, 2012 03:05am
Its shame for Pakistani nation that their players are denied to IPL, but our players are so desprate to play in that league. Have some dignity and self-respect. If they dont wnat you to play, why you bother??? Money???
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May 08, 2012 06:11am
He is British National
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May 09, 2012 01:50pm
he has dual nationality, but he birth and Played for Pakistan... He is a PAKISTANI
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