CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Saeed Anwar, Pakistan' dashing left-handed opening batsman, indicated Monday he may feature in the last couple of games of the Super League One-day Ramazan Cup in Lahore.

Saeed has been forced to miss the first part of the tournament because he had to rush down to Karachi for family reasons.

His father-in-law is in critical condition with renal failure and other complications and is currently admitted in an ICU of a local hospital where he is undergoing dialysis.

Saeed, who was inexplicably ignored by national selectors for the current tour of Zimbabwe, hopes to play in the Super League matches later on.

"I am forced by circumstances beyond my control to miss the start of the Super League tournament," a visibly disturbed Saeed told Dawn. "My father-in-law is seriously ill and I can't expect myself to keep away from family matters in this hour of need."

The Karachi-born, who now lives in Lahore, said that he has taken permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to skip playing in the early stage of the tournament, which got under way Monday at Gaddafi Stadium.

"With six matches available, I can afford to take it easy and God willing, if matters improve here, I shall play at least three games," Saeed remarked.

When asked how he felt as far as his motivation is concerned, Saeed replied, "I am raring to go and prove them (the selectors) that there is still a lot of cricket left in me.

"After all, I have averaged 35 over the last 25 One-day Internationals. My performances in Morocco Cup and ICC Champions Trophy were quite good."

Saeed dearly wants to figure in another World Cup campaign before he ends his distinguished career. He was easily Pakistan's best batsman in the last edition in England three years ago. Then he made 368 runs in 10 matches with match-winning centuries against Zimbabwe (103) in the Super Six tie at The Oval and the semifinal against New Zealand (113 not out) at Old Trafford.

Saeed, who also led Pakistan both in Tests and one-dayers, is the proud holder of a batting world record when he smashed that memorable 194 off 146 deliveries with 22 fours and five sixes against old foes India, at Chennai in May 1997.

At the age of 34, Saeed still has a lot to offer at the international level.

Dogged by huge problems at the top of the order, Saeed is the ideal man to lend his experience - 4052 runs in 55 Tests and 8605 runs in 242 One-day Internationals - to a Pakistan side lacking in confidence after their recent drubbing by Australia.

Pakistan's only Test win over South Africa - their next opponents after Zimbabwe tour - was based on a fine innings of 103 by none other than Saeed Anwar at Durban in 1998.

© Dawn