Thaindian News

Karachi, Feb 22 (IANS) Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has taken a swipe at Nasim Ashraf saying the former cricket board chairman tried to destroy his international career.
Razzaq, who smashed a whirlwind 46 off just 18 balls to help Pakistan beat England in a Twenty20 International in Dubai Saturday night, said that Ashraf developed a dislike for him and forced selectors to drop him from the national team.

“I was not included in the team because I did not perform as a player but I was a victim of the changes that came into the Pakistan Cricket Board. Nasim Ashraf, the former PCB chief, did not like me and that is why I was not selected,” said Razzaq, who was so heartbroken by PCB’s attitude that he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) more than two years back.

Razzaq was banned by the PCB and pardoned last year when he broke off ties with the cash-rich ICL. He made a successful comeback to the Pakistan line-up during the ICC World Twenty20 in England last summer.

Razzaq, who has scored 4,590 runs and bagged 254 wickets in One-day internationals, said he was confident of doing well against England in Dubai.

“When I went out to bat I felt very confident. I kept telling myself we should not lose. My mind said I can do it and I am thankful to God that we did it,” he said in an interview Monday.

“During our team meeting it was decided to hit the ball hard and that is why I went for those sixes. It was a good partnership with Fawad Alam and good partnerships can always win matches,” he said.

Razzaq is hopeful that Pakistan will retain the World Twenty20 title in the Caribbean this summer.

“We have no weakness as a team. We will have a good combination when the injured Mohammad Aamer and few others return to the side. We had a good combination during the last Twenty20 World Cup and we expect to have a strong team this time too,” he concluded.