Cockermouth have announced their new professional for 2022 will be Pakistani Test batsman Usman Salahuddin.
The 31-year-old Pakistani international has so far had limited opportunities on the big stage but is keen to regain his place in the side.
He had been a key figure in the Pakistan U-19 team’s middle order from 2006-2008. He was the top run-getter during an ODI series against England under-19s in 2006 and he carried on with his good form in the series against Australia under-19s at home in 2007.
He was in top form during the 2010-11 season when he scored 927 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy and also notched up a wealth of runs in list-a cricket in the same season.
This ensured Salahuddin was selected for the tour of the West Indies in April-May 2011. He made his debut in that series and played 2 ODI matches, scoring a total of 13 runs but was never picked again after that.
But he was recalled to the Test squad that toured England in 2018 and he made his debut in the second Test when he scored 4 and 33,
Later that year he was one of thirty-three players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Cockermouth’s new pro has not given up on a Test recall and has given a number of interviews in the intervening years about the treasons for him being discarded after only one chance.
He feels that he was dropped from the Pakistan side purely because of issues related to his strike rate and not any technical issues in his batting.
The Test was a chastening experience for the tourists as they were bowled-out for 174 in the first innings, with the England pace trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes each taking three wickets and there was one for Sam Curran.
England’s reply of 383 was built around Jos Buttler’s 80 with important knock, all in the 40s, from Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Dom Bess.
The game was quickly over when Pakistan were dismissed for a very disappointing 134 to lose by an innings and 55 runs.
Speaking to Grassroot Cricket earlier this year Salahuddin said the selectors had wanted him to work on his strike-rate, which he has and wants to be considered again for national selection.
He told them: “My performances in domestic cricket are improving since I got dropped after playing one Test. I had a chat with the selectors and they told me that my strike-rate is low and I need to work on that. There are no other technical issues.
“So, I have worked on it and my strike-rate this season was 50-plus, which is an improvement. I have fulfilled the requirement and will keep performing,” he added.
However, he stated that the pitch and conditions should also be taken into account, before judging the batsman purely on his strike rate.
“We need to play according to situation. If the situation requires you to bat slowly, then you need to do that. Strike-rate doesn’t matter much.
“It depends on pitch behaviour as well. If it is a flat track, it is easier to score runs quickly. Sometimes, pitch requires you to take your time in difficult conditions,” he added.
In December 2020, during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy he scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket, with an unbeaten 219.
In January this year, he was named in Central Punjab’s squad for the Pakistan Cup and in October he was named in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for their tour of Sri Lanka.
Salahuddin played in both games against Sri Lanka A which ended as draws and were both rain affected. He was 20 not out in the first and made nine in the second game.
Salahuddin has experienced club cricket in England on three occasions with Methley in the Central Yorkshire League in 2015 where he scored 446 runs from 16 innings with an average of 44.6.
He was then signed by Newcastle City when he scored 685 runs from 20 innings in the Northumberland and Tyneside League, averaging 42.8.
Aston Hall in the South Yorkshire League was his last English club in 2019.
Long-serving Cockermouth player Gareth White, who has stood down as captain, said: “New captain Alex Grainger and Matthew Sempill wanted a seriously talented batter and once they saw Usman’s record they were set on signing him.
“We worked hard with Usman’s agent Dan Hancock from Club Vitae Sports to get the deal done and are delighted with the timing and completion.
“Usman’s playing record is phenomenal across the board and we can’t wait to see him in action at Sandair. We are really pleased to secure a player of his calibre and look forward to welcoming him to Cockermouth.”
