Being the scion of a cricketing family adds no pressure on Abbas Ali, who has been very impressive in the ongoing Indian Cricket League (ICL).
GURGAON: Being the scion of a cricketing family adds no pressure on Abbas Ali, who has been very impressive in the ongoing Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Taking to the game, in fact, proved very easy for Abbas, grandson of the legendary Mushtaq Ali and son of Madhya Pradesh cricketer Gulrez Ali.
“I did not have to reason or fight with my parents like other children do. There was no pressure on me to take up academics and the atmosphere at home was advantageous,” said the Delhi Giants’ player.
“I was always told to do as I liked, bat as I liked. I have always played my natural game and that is how I have enjoyed it all along,” said Abbas.
The Delhi Giants’ player has a natural flair for strokes but one also saw during his days as a first-class cricketer for Madhya Pradesh that he has the ability to dig in when required. Debuting in Ranji Trophy way back in 1996-97, Abbas registered the highest individual score of 251 for his state the very next season, which was broken by JP Yadav some time later.
Abbas has had some notable performances in ICL, the latest being a resolute half-century (52 off 46) that helped his team beat Lahore Badshahs in a league match on Sunday.
But has he achieved enough in his career that has stretched over a decade?
“At times, I feel that playing for a state like Madhya Pradesh was not to my advantage. I have enjoyed every bit but there are times when you sit back and think what was and what could have been,” said Abbas, who represented India A with reasonable success but was not really a serious contender for a berth in the national squad.
“I think playing in the ICL has been one of the best decisions of my life because it has got me recognition. I would not say that it has given my career a new lease of life because I am sure I would have continued to play in domestic cricket even if I did not get this offer. As a professional cricketer, you have to motivate yourself to do your best,” said Abbas, who scored 5,270 runs in 82 first-class matches with 13 centuries. “I think I have quite a bit of cricket left in me. I hope to maintain my fitness and compete
with youngsters in the coming days.”
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