KARACHI: After a sensational return to Pakistan’s T20 team, young fast bowler Rumman Raees is now eyeing a place in the ODI squad.
25-year-old Rumman was included in Pakistan XI for the last T20I against West Indies on Sunday. Playing his only second T20 international, Rumman returned to bowling crease with a maiden over as Chadwick Walton struggled against his bowling.
Rumman finished his four-over spell conceding 25 runs and taking the crucial wicket of Kieron Pollard in the match which Pakistan won by seven wickets.
Talking exclusively to the media from Port of Spain, Rumman said that he is happy to wear Pakistan’s shirt again and is hoping to get a place in the ODI squad as well.
“I waited for my opportunity patiently, I knew I would get my chance and I was just focused on that. I never give up and I am always willing to learn new things, to add new skills in my bowling. I am very confident of improving and I have proven in the two matches I have played for Pakistan that international cricket is a challenge I genuinely enjoy,” he said.
“Wearing Pakistan’s green jersey is always a great honour, I am happy that I got the opportunity to wear this shirt again. I will continue to work hard and contribute my part to make Pakistan win matches in future as well,” the pacer from Karachi told the media .
Rumman said that the team’s coach Mickey Arthur encouraged players to play an attacking brand of cricket to put opponents under pressure.
“I have had a chance to work with Mickey Arthur too; he is very focused on fitness and wants us to play an attacking brand of cricket. He wants us to pick wickets and attack the opposition, I am used to such demands playing for Islamabad United so I feel comfortable with him,†he said.
Rumman was selected only for Pakistan’s T20I team and will return home to take part in this month’s Pakistan Cup, with hopes to win the selectors’ nod for future selection in Pakistan’s ODI team.
“I have my eyes set on Pakistan One Day Cup, I’ve been selected for the Sindh team. I will try my best to give top performance in the tournament so that I can get selected for ODI team in future too,” he said.
Rumman also wished good luck to his teammates for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, which is crucial for Pakistan in an attempt to directly qualify for the World Cup.
“I wish all the best to all my teammates. I hope and pray for them to continue the winning momentum in one-day series and qualify for the World Cup,” said Rumman.
Rumman, who also plays for Islamabad United in PSL, credited the Pakistan Super League for giving youngsters a chance to showcase their talent at a bigger and competitive platform.
“PSL was a great opportunity for me; I performed there and got selectors’ attention with my performance. PSL is great for all the youngsters like me who are working hard and performing well to get noticed,” he remarked.
“I would like to thank the PCB for PSL; it is a great platform for players like me. I was able to show my skills as an emerging player at Islamabad United in PSL so I got picked for Pakistan and the world noticed. You look at Shadab, PSL provided him with an opportunity to showcase his skills to the world. PSL is a great platform, it will prevent players from disappearing from the spotlight,†the pacer said.
The bowler was also discussed for his unconventional “cool and calm” celebration during PSL, and he continued this in international cricket as well with an aim to make it registered as his signature style.
“I did it in PSL and fans loved it so I decided that I will celebrate my first international wicket in the same style,” he said.
“InshaAllah, I will keep celebrating all my wickets the same way in future as well,” Rumman vowed.
Replying to a question, Rumman said that he worked hard with the team’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood while he was not playing matches, which helped him in improving his skills.
“I worked on nets with Azhar bhai when I wasn’t playing matches, it really helped me. Mickey Arthur also gave me confidence ahead of my match,” he said.
“I have grown up playing with Sarfraz. He is a very thinking captain and that is good to know as a bowler. I know he understands my strengths so he can use me in pressure situations, at the death too because he knows I enjoy the pressure of a batsman trying to go after me. Sarfraz has been a very successful captain at the domestic level and will also be very effective on the international stage,†Rumman said.
