Thaindian News

Karachi, Aug 13 (IANS) All-rounder Abdul Razzaq believes he could have been an asset for Pakistan in the ongoing Test series against England, where the visitors are trailing 0-2 after big losses in Nottingham and Birmingham.
The experienced Razzaq, who is currently featuring for English county side Hampshire in the Friends Provident Twenty20 competition, said he is still hoping for a Test recall.

Razzaq last featured for Pakistan in Test in November 2006 against the West Indies in Karachi, scoring 7 and 10, respectively, as well as picking up three wickets in a one-sided encounter that Pakistan comfortably won by 199 runs.

Razzaq, 30, does not think that his Test career is over.

“In English conditions I would have been effective, especially given the nature of the wickets at both Nottingham and Birmingham. I don’t believe that my Test career is over, even though I have not featured for Pakistan for more than three and a half years. I am ready to return to Test cricket if I am required. Of course, it depends on the selectors. There seems to be doubt among the coaches as to whether I can do well in Test cricket,” he told pakpassion.net in an interview Friday.

Razzaq feels fielding continues to be a major issue for Pakistan.

“During practice our fielding is very good but it seems that the concentration slips during a match situation. We have also struggled against the swinging deliveries and none of our top order batsmen have really been able to get a foothold against the English bowling.”

Razzaq though thinks that Pakistan can bounce back at the Oval, a ground that he knows well, especially if the wicket is, as expected, more batsmen-friendly.

“The track at the Oval is likely to suit Pakistan and the batsmen will prefer conditions there. If it is a more batsmen-friendly track then Pakistan could defeat England.”