Sami Aslam withdraws from QeA Trophy, contemplates moving abroad after snub for New Zealand tour

Out-of-favour Pakistan batsman Sami Aslam has decided to withdraw from the fourth round of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which is due to begin on Friday. The left-handed batsman reportedly took the decision after Pakistan ignored him for the upcoming tour to New Zealand. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced their 35-man squad for the tour.

Things have not really panned out in an expected manner for Sami Aslam in recent times. Earlier this year in September, he was demoted to Balochistan’s second XI. Unhappy with the demotion, he had withdrawn from the National T20 Cup. But he returned to action in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy and played three games.

In those three games, he managed to score just one fifty in six innings. And it was followed by the snub from Pakistan. Sami was upset with the snub and he didn’t shy away from publicly expressing his disappointment. Earlier this week, he took to Twitter to say that he was disappointed with the snub for the New Zealand tour as well as the UK tour earlier this year.

“Disappointed that I didn’t get any chance to be in 35 players for NZ tour and last UK tour, even after a good last QeA Trophy season, I was one of the most run makers, scored 864 runs at an average of 78, dropped from the Test squad after not getting a game in my last UK tour 2018,” Sami tweeted.

Disappointed that I didn't get any chance to be in 35players for NZ tour and last UK tour,even after good last QeD 2019-20trophy, I was one of the most run makers, scored 864 runs(4 100's) average of 78,
dropped from the Test squad after not getting a game in my last UK tour 2018

— Sami Aslam (@Samiaslam999) November 11, 2020

Sami Aslam contemplating changing teams

In the wake of the recent setbacks, Sami Aslam is reportedly contemplating switching teams. According to Cricket Pakistan, he has informed Balochistan’s team management about his decision. The 24-year-old is expected to make a decision regarding his future soon. The report further stated that Sami is contemplating moving abroad to pursue a cricketing career in the United States of America (USA).

So far, Sami has played 13 Tests and 4 ODIs for Pakistan. In the 13 Tests, he has scored 758 runs at an average of 31.58 with the help of seven fifties. In ODIs, he has scored only 78 runs in four matches. Sami’s last appearance for Pakistan came way back in 2017 during the Test series against Sri Lanka in the UAE.