September 11, 2002	Wednesday	Rajab 3, 1423

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KARACHI, Sept 10: Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood was keen to regain his lost place in the national side when he made himself available for the junior series against Sri Lanka.

Hours after the selectors said Azhar had declined the offer to represent Pakistan ‘A’ against Sri Lanka ‘A’, the allrounder said he was now available.

“It’s true that initially I had expressed my non-availability. But now, I want to continue my cricket, get back to the basics, rectify my mistakes and try to win back the lost place in the national team,” Azhar said from Rawalpindi.

Azhar was sent back from Nairobi after he was overlooked for the ICC Champions Trophy starting Thursday in Colombo.

“I need to put the ball in the right place and hope for some wickets besides contributing some runs with the bat. I know I have not been producing my best and that’s why I think ‘A’ cricket will help me regain my lost touch,” Azhar said.

With Azhar now available, he is certain to be named as captain for, at least, the first four-day ‘Test’ starting at Faisalabad from Sept 17. The second begins at Multan from Sept 23. The selectors were contemplating recommending Faisal Iqbal as skipper in Azhar’s absence.

Azhar is also expected to leave early next month to sign a one-year contract with an English county for the 2003 season and is picked to represent Rest of the World in a charity game planned for Oct 3.

“Surrey were interested in me but I have received offers from Warwickshire and Hampshire. I have decided to spend my next season in England but with which county, only time will decide,” he said.

Azhar played for Surrey in the first half of the English County Championship as Saqlain Mushtaq’s replacement. The English system has been revamped from next season with which each county allowed to sign two overseas professional cricketers.