KARACHI, April 19: Pakistan pace bowler Rana Navedul Hasan disclosed on Tuesday that he never thought of being a major influence in the outcome of the just-ended one-day series against India. Talking to Dawn from his hometown Sheikhupura, the 27-year-old Naved, who played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 4-2 victory after India had won the first two One-day Internationals, said he never thought of being declared the Man-of-the-Series.
“I really never dreamt about playing the role of the main strike bowler,” said Naved, who captured 15 wickets at under 17 per scalp during the six-match series.
Naved, who is an introvert and modest personality, said: “But I always had one thing in mind and that was to give my best whatever the conditions.
“The experience of playing in Australia prior to the Indian tour helped my game a lot. I was confident of doing well when the team left for Delhi.
“I’m extremely grateful to Allah Almighty for everything I did for Pakistan. Without His blessing and the prayers of our people, we couldn’t have done our country proud. I just played a small part for the team.
“Without Shoaib Akhtar, we were more than determined to prove that we can win against heavy odds.
“India were touted as favourites at the start of the one-day series, but we knew that we had a chance because in limited-overs cricket, it all depends on luck and how you perform on the given day.”
Naved attributed Pakistan’s grand victory to great teamwork within the squad.
“Our captain (Inzamamul Haq), vice-captain (Younis Khan) and coach (Bob Woolmer) had faith in my abilities. Their support not only boosted my confidence but that of the entire side,” he noted.
“Frankly speaking, our success was mainly because of the excellent team spirit and the camaraderie we had for each other since every individual contributed.
“Without a doubt, this was the best tour during my brief international career. The conditions in India at this time of the year were extremely tough because of the unbearable weather,” added Naved, who was named Man-of-the-Match for the first time in his 28-match ODI career at Jamshedpur.
“The pitches were unfriendly for pace bowling. But fortunately, we managed to bowl in the right areas.”
When asked which Indian wicket gave him most satisfaction, Naved modestly replied: “Although I dismissed Virender Sehwag four times, I immensely enjoyed my first wicket of the series.
“To get rid of Sachin Tendulkar cheaply in that first encounter in Cochin was the highpoint for me.
“I always felt that Sehwag would give us a chance to get him out because he’s on the attack from the word go. But Sachin is a master technician in comparison.”
When reminded that his career-best six for 27 in the third one-dayer at Jamshedpur was the best ever figures by any bowler against India in India, Naved said that he was unaware of the feat. “I never play for records. But it’s nice to know now that I have created a bit of history.
Naved’s Jamshedpur figures eclipsed the previous best by a foreigner in One-day Internationals on the Indian soil. West Indian fast bowler Patrick Patterson took six for 29 at Nagpur on the 1987-88 tour.
A father of four young daughters, Naved said that he was looking forward to next month’s tour of the West Indies.
“We must not sit on our laurels. What we have achieved in India is history. West Indies at home will be a difficult side to play against because most of us have not played on their pitches. But we will be ready for them,” he said in a confident tone.
In the months ahead, Naved is going to be busy on the cricket fields.
After the tour of the Caribbean Isles, the never-say-die cricketer is committed to play for Sussex in the English county championship.
“I’m looking forward to that sort of cricket. Perhaps that experience just may help me become a better bowler than I am at the moment.”