Aslam happy to make progress

IMRAN ASLAM: Enjoying his spell in England.

IMRAN ASLAM reckons playing cricket in England has taken his game to a new level.

The Pakistani professional is enjoying life at Glodwick in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

From Bahwalpur in the Punjab, Aslam was the Warren Lane outfit’s first paid player, and he has proved a great pick.

He burst on to the scene in 2008, bamboozling batsmen with his spin and eventually falling just four short of the magic 100 wickets mark.

This year he has proved adept with both bat and ball, scoring nearly 600 runs at an average of almost 60, while he is also the leading wicket-taker in the league with 51 victims.

The 28-year-old is happy with his lot, even though he has just completed a two-match ban for a show of petulance against Heyside. He flattened his stumps in frustration after Glodwick had suffered a last-ball defeat.

Aslam believes the complete experience of playing cricket in the birthplace of the sport will see him return home in September a better player.

He said: “I feel as though I’ve improved as a cricketer since coming to England.

“The tracks are obviously a lot different from Pakistan, but I enjoy the responsibility of being a professional.

“It means I have to concentrate and do my best at everything I do on a cricket field, whether is it batting, bowling or fielding.”

Aslam’s cricketing hero is Abdul Qadir, the legendary Pakistani leg-break bowler who claimed 236 wickets in only 67 Tests for his country.

It is no surprise, then, that Aslam, who plays for Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) back home, has spun many of his rivals into submission.

While Aslam’s ability with the ball made all the headlines in 2008, he often paid the penalty for his gung-ho style of batting.

He has curbed his crash, bang, wallop and has become an accomplished batsman with a fine record to show for it.

Aslam has two tons to his name and he has already scored more runs, 596, than in the whole of last season. However, he readily admits he still likes to throw the bat.

Aslam said: “I’ve got eight games left, so I want to leave in September with 1,000 runs. That is my ambition – but Nigel Stock, my captain, said he would be happy with 800.”

“I’ve changed my approach to batting this season.

“I try to play sensible cricket up until the 30th over and then I throw the bat - I like it when it comes to hitting time.

“I enjoy it at Glodwick.

“The people are very nice – Asif Lohdi is like a big brother to me - and they have made me very welcome since I’ve been here.

“Hopefully I can come back again next year.”