Axed from the World Cup T20 squad, experienced Pakistan spinner Abdul Rehman said he has got over the disappointment and now wants to form a potent bowling partnership with Saeed Ajmal in other formats of the game. Rehman was dropped by the selectors from the shortest version of the game and replaced by young Reza Hasan, also a left-arm spinner. However, Rehman has been named in Pakistan’s one-day squad against Australia for the three-match series that begins on August 28 in the UAE. “That’s not a decision I can make, it’s something for the selectors to decide upon. I’m not one for sitting with a glum face in the dressing room if I’m not in the starting eleven or indeed if I’m not selected in the squad for one or two formats,” Rehman was quoted by Pakpassion website as saying. “Every cricketer wants to play in every format for their respective country and yes I was disappointed but it did not last long and you have to move on,” he added. Talking about his bowling partnership with Saeed Ajmal, Rehman said as a bowler everyone had good and bad days and it’s important to back each other when a team mate’s luck is not in, or he is not feeling as confident as usual. “Saeed and I have this theory where we hunt as a pair, that is we know when to attack the batsmen and when one needs to defend and the other attacks, or for that matter when we both need to defend as bowlers,” Rehman said. Rehman described Ajmal as a fantastic bowler and noted that he had proven himself in all formats. “It’s a privilege to be on the same side as Saeed. We get on very well on and off the field and it’s good to be able to discuss our bowling with one another, areas that we can work on and talk about opposition batsmen’s strengths and weaknesses,” he added. “Recently I broke Viv Richards’ record for Somerset for the best 40 over bowling figures. Viv’s bowling figures were 6 for 28 and I took 6 for 16 which was really pleasing and something I’m very proud of,” he said. “It’s another string to my bow to be playing County cricket and it’s important that I learn from the experience and use it to improve as a cricketer.” Rehman also had no doubt that the coming series against Australia would be a tough one. “It doesn’t matter who is selected by the Australians you know you are in for a tough battle. Whether it’s seasoned campaigners or their up and coming youngsters they are very good cricketers. It should be a competitive and hard fought series between two good sides. If selected I’m hopeful that I can perform well against them,” he said.
