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Pakistan’s star all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has turned to England, after failing to appeal to the selection committee at home.
Razzaq will represent Leicestershire in the team’s Twenty20 campaign next month, but has not ruled out playing for the country.
“I'll definitely love to make a return to the team like any other national cricketer,” the 32-year-old said.
Razzaq, who has played 265 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 46 Tests for Pakistan, cited that a lack of interest at the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) end had left him sidelined since the series against Sri Lanka. The ongoing fitness tests conducted by Dav Whatmore in Lahore also bore no fruit for him.
“I keep getting overlooked, maybe the authorities don't like me,” Razzaq said in an interview, expressing his disappointment.
Razzaq was involved in a controversy for participating in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) earlier this year.
According to then chief selector Mohammad Illyas, the all-rounder cited a shoulder injury for his unavailability in the ODI series against England in UAE, but later went on to play in the BPL and even bowled full-throttle at times.
Razzaq on the other hand, claimed that he communicated to the official that he was unable to deliver a full quota of 10 overs due to the shoulder pain.
