BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Middlesex



By Kashif Qamar BBC Sport Online

Experiencing overseas playing conditions is vital for Pakistani cricketers looking to achieve their full potential, according to Middlesex
all-rounder Abdur Razzaq.

In the past year, the national team has been confined to playing on home soil or in Sharjah, where the wickets are very similar.

Razzaq wants to help Pakistan become the world's top Test side and signing a two-year contract to play county cricket for Middlesex emphasises his desire to improve his game.

"Many of us have very little or no experience of playing in England, Australia and South Africa," he told BBC Sport Online.

We play in entirely different conditions - playing in these countries is essential

Abdur Razzaq

Playing conditions in England are especially helpful to Pakistani bowlers - one remembers the successes on the 1992 and 1996 tours.

"Weather is a big difference. The ball moves here quite substantially in the air and swing bowlers could learn a lot in these conditions," said Razzaq.

This is his fourth visit to England, having been part of the 1999 World Cup team, the Pakistan A squad 12 months earlier, and last summer's touring team.

Choice of counties

"In 1998, I had very little chance of playing here because the team management wanted every youngster to get some match experience and everyone was given a chance in only two or three matches.

"In fact, my real experience in England was during the World Cup or Pakistan's tour last year."

Razzaq turned down an approach from Welsh county Glamorgan before agreeing to join Middlesex.

Razzaq in the delivery stride
Razzaq has an excellent bowling action

"John Emburey approached me last year and offered me to join Middlesex. He said he was watching me and my game for the last three years.

"He told me my behaviour, on an off the field, impressed him. I liked what he said and decided to join Middlesex."

Razzaq missed the start of the season while playing in a home series against New Zealand, but has now settled in and is enjoying his cricket with Middlesex.

"It's a very good, talented and young team and I have a very good chance to perform well with them.

"I told John Emburey that Middlesex will be the top team in three years when all the players will become tough and experienced. He agrees."

Traumatic event

The series against New Zealand was cut short when a bomb exploded in Karachi just hours before the start of the second Test, killing 14 people.

Police examine the wrecked bus
The Karachi blast halted the Test series

The incident shocked both the home side and their opponents, who flew home shortly aftewards.

"I thought it was an earthquake. Mentally, it was absolutely devastating and not even Pakistani players were able to play for many days.

"We were worried whether it was an attack on the New Zealand team, but very soon we realised that it was not the case because we were also staying in the same hotel."

Australia are due to tour Pakistan later this year, but Razzaq is scepctical as to whether it will go ahead.

"I know Pakistan is still a safe place for cricket but the impact of the bomb attack creates a different impression for outsiders."


	Links to more Middlesex stories