Dubai, May 8 (TNS): Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has admitted that he knows there is virtually no chance of him making an international comeback, a sports website reported on Tuesday.
Razzaq recently announced that he would start playing domestic cricket again in a bid to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and revealed that it was former Test batsman Mohammad Wasim who encouraged him to make that decision.
Razzaq moved to England after he began to be overlooked on the domestic circuit in Pakistan and became a TV expert, where he covered Pakistan’s recent series against the West Indies with Wasim and former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif.
“It was Mohammad Wasim who actually motivated me to play again,” Razzaq told ESPNcricinfo. “Given the fact that my love for the game is still there, I have decided to give it a shot for one last final time.
“I am offered a contract by PTV and going to play first-class cricket for them this year. I know I cannot play for Pakistan anymore and that isn’t my aim either. I know there are a lot of youngsters all over and they are doing very well.
“I don’t want to push myself there but my aim is to play for another year or two in Pakistan Super League and this is all about it.”
Razzaq acknowledged that he will have to work on his fitness and perform with both the bat and ball if he is to have any chance of featuring in next year’s PSL.
“It is actually about passion and hunger but the only concern for me is fitness right now, which I am working on,” Razzaq said. “We have the example of Misbah[-ul-Haq] and that is really something encouraging me to push myself. If he can do it being over 40 then there is no reason why I cannot.
“I have started playing cricket and will play the upcoming Ramzan tournament in Karachi to get myself ready for four-day cricket this season. That is my main target and this will set a tone for me going ahead in the PSL. It’s not about different formats but about giving yourself a chance and I think first-class cricket is where I [can] revive myself.”
