Ayub took three wickets in the final against India in 2006 as Pakistan remarkably defended a paltry 109 by bowling out their arch-rivals, India for only 71
By Saj Sadiq
Akhtar Ayub was earmarked as one of Pakistan’s brightest pace bowling prospects back in 2006. An integral member of the Under-19 World Cup winning squad in Sri Lanka, Ayub took 10 wickets in the tournament at only 14.70 each and formed a formidable three-pronged pace attack alongside Anwar Ali and Jamshed Ahmed.
Ayub took three wickets in the final against India in 2006 as Pakistan remarkably defended a paltry 109 by bowling out their arch-rivals, India for only 71. Whilst Pakistani cricket fans have a habit of hyping up their young fast bowlers, there was a genuine belief from many that Ayub’s aggressive approach, pace and his ability to swing the ball would mean that he had every chance of achieving success for the Pakistan senior team in the near future.
But, as so often happens in Pakistan, the young pace bowler’s hunger for cricket was ripped out of him after a series of disappointments and false promises. Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Ayub described his frustration at his lack of opportunities at Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), for whom he signed for straight after the Under-19 World Cup.
“The Under-19 World Cup of 2006 in Sri Lanka was just amazing. We went there full of confidence without being arrogant. We genuinely believed that we could win the tournament and our coach Mansoor Rana really prepared us well for that tournament and gave us a lot of self-belief and confidence. However when we only scored 109 runs in the final we were shell-shocked. There were some worried faces in the dressing room during the innings break. But Rana said to us that if we could pick up early wickets then the opposition would be under pressure. Thankfully it all fell in place that day and we were crowned champions. It was an unbelievable feeling and even now — seven years on — it feels like it only happened yesterday.”
Ayub continued, “We returned to Pakistan from Sri Lanka and the response we got from the public was just amazing. It was even better for the people of Pakistan as we had defeated arch-rivals India in the final. We received garlands as we landed back home, the public gave us a great welcome and our faces were all over the news channels. It was like a dream, and one that I never wanted to end. Achieving that success in Sri Lanka made me hungry for more and my heart was set on making a name for myself.”
However, whilst the 2006 Under-19 World Cup tournament in Sri Lanka proved to be a high point in Ayub’s career, what followed was one disappointment after another as a lack of opportunities in First-Class cricket stalled his progress.
“When I returned from the Under-19 World Cup, like many of the other boys, there was a lot of interest from First-Class departmental teams in signing us,” said Ayub. “I spoke with a couple of teams and settled for KRL. I want to be totally honest here, I come from a very mediocre financial background and I signed for KRL as they were offering the job and a good salary. My family was really [financially] struggling and the job offer came as a blessing in disguise. I never thought twice about it and I dreamt of a long and fruitful career with KRL and, hopefully, Pakistan. But it all turned ugly and sour for me. I didn’t expect to walk into the KRL team and play match after match and to be selected in every game, but I thought I would get a fair chance. I made my First-Class debut in November 2006 for KRL against PIA in Rawalpindi. It was a great feeling to get a chance in First Class cricket and whilst I knew there was a lot of hard work ahead, I hoped that this would be the start of a long and successful journey. But what occurred was frustrating and disappointing and in more than six years at KRL, I only played thirty First-Class matches.”
He continued: “I was never really given a proper chance at KRL. I know people will think that this is a familiar excuse, but I stand by what I am saying. I would play one match, perform well and then be dropped for the next match. It was so disheartening and there were times where I just wanted to give up playing cricket. I didn’t know which way to turn. I wasn’t getting a chance at KRL, yet couldn’t give up cricket as I was getting a salary from KRL and I was the main breadwinner at home. There was so much competition at KRL in the fast bowling department, at times there were nine or 10 fast bowlers vying for three fast bowling spots in the starting line-up and I had no chance as quite often seniority ruled. At the end of every season I’d speak with the management about my future and they would assure me that I was part of their plans and that I would get more chances the following season. But it all turned out to be false promises; I was just one of their back-up bowlers who would get the occasional chance every now and then when some of the more senior bowlers were not available. The problem was this clique and the management at KRL had no idea about cricket. I would urge young cricketers to avoid signing for KRL as it will seriously damage their career, as it did mine.”
Ayub had some strong advice for young fast bowlers in domestic cricket and the choices they make. He stated, “Don’t make the mistakes I made and be overwhelmed by the money and promises being made. Make the right choice for cricketing reasons and take proper advice instead of being taken in by people who say one thing yet do another. Look at the opportunities you will get, be realistic about your chances of playing regularly.”
Ayub though had some kind words for Pakistan Under-19 coach and Rawalpindi coach Sabih Azhar who he feels has given him a new lease of life after a meeting with him to discuss his future.
“Sabih gave me a chance in the recent Super 8 T20 tournament for Rawalpindi and by appearing on television a lot of people remembered me, gave me encouragement and recalled my achievements in the Under-19 World Cup in 2006. Sabih and I had a long chat and he reminded me that I was still young and had a bright future in the game but that I needed to refocus and re-energise myself and build up my attitude for cricket again. It was fantastic to be playing for the Rawalpindi Rams in the Super 8 T20 and I thought I bowled quite well especially given that the T20 format is ideal for batsmen. I bowled at a decent pace and picked up two wickets against Faisalabad and one against Sialkot in the two matches that I played in. I also played a regular role for Rawalpindi in the Faysal Bank and in five matches I took seven wickets. I’m really indebted to Sabih Azhar for giving me a chance and playing cricket on a regular basis recently has really boosted my confidence.”
As well as playing for Rawalpindi recently in One-Day and T20 tournaments, Ayub has made the switch to United Bank Limited (UBL) for the ongoing President’s Cup One Day Tournament and also represented UBL in the four-day President’s Trophy, a move that he hopes will provide him with more First-Class cricket and a genuine chance to display his talents on a regular basis.
“I had to leave KRL; enough was enough. I was going nowhere at KRL. At the end of last season I decided that it was time to move on. UBL offered me a one-year contract. It came as a relief. I’ve have given me an opportunity at UBL, and it’s up to me to show what I can do during the one season contractual period. I will do my utmost, work hard and don’t want to let anyone down. I feel rejuvenated and it feels like I’m starting my career again albeit at the age of 25.”
(Saj Sadiq is Senior Editor at PakPassion.net, from where the above article has been reproduced. He can be followed on Twitter at @Saj_PakPassion)
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