Rao Iftikhar - "Technology to help umpires is a welcome change"

by Saj Sadiq (PakPassion.net)
Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Pakistan pace bowler Rao Iftikhar Anjum stated that the introduction of technology to help umpires is a welcome change.

"The introduction of technology is a good addition from the ICC, it's a welcome change. The most important thing is to ensure that at the end of the day the right decision is reached whether it be in favour of the batsman or the bowler" stated Rao.

Rao who has represented Pakistan in 60 one day internationals, a single test match and 2 Twenty/20 internationals further added "the technology needs to be powerful and consistent around the world. It would be good if features such as hot spot are available in all future international matches".

Rao recalled missing out on a 5for in Abu Dhabi last year against the West Indies, due to the technology not being available. "I had Chris Gayle caught behind when he was on 99, it was a clear edge and Gayle started to walk off the field. Me and my team mates celebrated the wicket and as the umpires got together, Gayle came back and stood his ground. The umpires were unsure and the technology wasn't available, so Gayle continued his innings".

Rao who in August of this year took an impressive 5 for 30 against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa is hopeful that he will get the call up for the one day squad in Australia. "Nothing is guaranteed, but I'm hopeful that I will be selected. I had a good couple of matches in Sri Lanka recently and the 5 for 30 was enjoyable".

Rao who has taken 26 wickets in his last 15 one day internationals feels that Pakistan's top order need to fire if Pakistan are to do well in Australia. "If our top order batsmen can support the Akmal brothers who have been batting well of late, then the series could be interesting. Pakistan's bowling attack is very impressive and Danish and the fast bowlers should do well in Australia. This Australia team is a good team but they aren't the same Australia of a few years ago" stated Rao.

29 year old Rao who has been representing ZTBL in this season's Quaid E Azam Trophy feels that a few tweaks within the setup can help improve domestic cricket in Pakistan. "The scheduling and planning of the fixtures at the start of the season would be beneficial. It would be good for all the players who are taking part in domestic cricket to know which tournaments are taking place and also the fixture schedule for the respective tournaments".

Rao continued "This season there has been a lot of low scores in the Quaid E Azam Trophy, I would say that is largely down to the quality of the batting skills and the wickets that were bowler friendly".

Rao responding to a question regarding pitches in Pakistan stated "What I would like to see is consistency in the preparation of wickets in Pakistan so that international pitches in Pakistan are similar to those in domestic cricket. At the moment the pitches are bowling friendly in domestic cricket and generally batting friendly in international matches".

Pakistan take on Australia in the Boxing Day test whilst the one day squads and Twenty/20 squads will be announced next month prior to the one day series which commences on 22nd January in Brisbane.