PSL gave me fame and name: Rumman Raees
PSL gave me fame and name, says Rumman Raees.
LAHORE (APP) – Left-arm fast bowler Rumman Raees was famous in Karachi cricketing circles as someone who had the best slower one, a delivery with which he would beguile the best of batsmen at club level.
That trait caught the eyes of the Karachi selectors. The hard working paceman made initial strides for Islamabad United at the inaugural HBL PSL in 2016. He managed four wickets in eight games but showed great variety in his bowling.It was in the 2017 edition that Rumman made his presence felt, taking 12 wickets in seven matches.
“To be honest, PSL gave me name and fame,” recalls Rumman on Sunday. “When I played my first game, people got to know about my name that there is someone named Rumman who has bowled well.”
“I have benefited from the PSL. It is good for young players.
I was lucky to be picked up by Islamabad and they supported me in good and bad times. In the first season, Wasim Akram helped me a lot in maturing as a fast bowler and now we have Waqar Younis who is also a big help,” he said.
That HBL PSL 2 helped him break into the Pakistan team on the tour to the West Indies in 2017.
He was initially left out of the ICC Champions Trophy squad, but an injury to Wahab Riaz gave him a surprise call. He took two valuable wickets in the semi-final against England on way to the final where Pakistan beat India.
Rumman got injured in last year’s HBL PSL. He was sidelined for nearly a year. He has, thus, staged a comeback in this year’s HBL PSL.”I am feeling well. I played the last match and had a good feeling.
The body has responded well. There are no niggles and no fatigue. My focus is to perform well and regain my place in future,” vowed Rumman. Rumman admitted a long injury lay-off was frustrating.
“To be honest, I missed cricket because this is my bread and butter. I was emotional when I played my first match that I was coming after a year. It was a tough time,” he added.
“I want to say when times are tough, one needs to be positive. There were negative thoughts in my mind that whether my career will revive or not. But, if you are positive then Allah helps. Islamabad management helped me in these tough times,” he asserted.
Rumman said Islamabd United – twice champions of HBL PSL – are an exemplary unit.
“Islamabad camp is very simple and cordial,” said Rumman of the 2016 and 2018 champions. “We do not press the panic button. We keep it simple. Every year, we aim at being positive,” he said, “We never blame anyone for the defeat. If we lose, we lose as a team and win as a team. That’s why the atmosphere is great in the dressing room. The management is good and we support each other.”
“We enjoy each other’s company and with that we aim we are going to defend our title.”
Rumman targets a return to Pakistan colours. “I am hopeful that once I do well in this year’s HBL PSL, then I would be able to regain my place. I don’t put pressure on myself. If I do well I will be in the World Cup 2019 squad and the aim and thoughts are positive,” he added.
