Published: Oct 18, 2014, 05:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 18, 2014, 05:30 PM (IST)
Oct 18, 2014
Saqlain Haider, who was brought in as a stand-in keeper for Brad Haddin suffered a bruised arm while keeping against spear-head, Mitchell Johnson at Sharjah on the third day of the warm-up game between Australia and Pakistan-A.
Darren Lehmann, who was adamant on resting Brad Haddin, currently Australia’s first-choice wicket-keeper, from the scorching heat, was replaced by UAE’s Saqlain Haider.
Haider, who works in a bank from 8am to 4pm, six days a week is mentored by Aquib Javed, former Pakistan bowler and practices for UAE. It was three-days ago when he came to know about being picked for the Australian side as a stand-in wicketkeeper.
“My coach informed me that Haddin was having a rest and you need to go and keep for the Australians. I was really shocked and very happy,” he told reporters.
“It was my first time experiencing so much pace, like Starc and Johnson, they are very speedy bowlers. It is a very big experience in my life. I am feeling very proud and I learnt something from that,” he added.
However, Haider conceded four byes off some really difficult deliveries by the spinners, but he held a spectacular catch off Nathan Lyon to earn him his first wicket.
“It can be difficult to take a catch when it bounces so much but he gloved them really well. I know all the boys are around him in the change room right now and he is enjoying himself that’s for sure,” said Lyon.
“I am very proud to wear this. I’m very thankful to the Australian management, they gave me the chance to play with them and it was a very big moment for me and a good memory in my life. I was very, very impressed with their behaviour and they were very sportsmanlike, like brothers. It means a lot to me and I will never forget it. I was very proud to play for Australia. Okay, it was only a warm-up match but I was very proud,” he concluded after being asked on what would be his proudest moment in the match.
Complete coverage of Pakistan and Australia in UAE here
