Want to know the reasons behind my exclusion: Maharoof

Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof is an enigmatic cricketer. Tipped as a talented cricketer ever since he set foot on the international scene, Maharoof has rarely justified his talent, though there were glimpses of the class when he claimed a hat-trick against India in the Asia Cup last month. That was a remarkable achievement considering the fact that he was coming after a long injury lay-off. Inconsistency coupled with injury has played havoc in his career. And the emergence of another all-rounder Angelo Mathews means Maharoof is not an automatic choice anymore for the all-rounder’s slot in the team.

Just when everybody thought he had finally made his way back into the team in the shorter version of the game, he got a raw deal from the selectors who dropped him for the upcoming home tri-series. The exclusion left him highly disappointed and the cricketer to know the reasons behind his ‘sacking’. In a candid chat with Zeecric.com’s Biswajit Jha from the Island nation, the Sri Lankan all-rounder expressed his disappointment over his sudden exclusion from the ODI squad just one match after having taken a five-for including a hat-trick.

You must be highly disappointed after having been left out of the Sri Lankan squad for the tri-series?

I am really disappointed… I don’t know what happened, but I can say that it hurt me a lot. I want to know the reasons behind my exclusion.

You performed so well in Asia Cup. You took five wickets in the match against India including a hat-trick. But still you were not included in the team? Have the selectors or the captain spoken to you about this?

Not at all. Nobody called me to inform why I was not included in the team.

But the selectors have said that since Dambulla was more pace-friendly that time during the Asia Cup, you were given a chance. Are you satisfied with the explanation?

No… nobody has talked to me on this subject. I performed well in the last three ODI matches. I did well even in the practice matches against New Zealand. So, I really don’t know what the reason behind my exclusion from the side is. But I have confidence that I will be back in the team soon.

Do you think you have not been included because Angelo Mathews is there in the team and team needs only one all-rounder?

I don’t think that is the reason. We both played together in Asia Cup and we performed well. Definitely there is some other reason behind this. Until I find out the reason I can’t comment on this.Do you think that the selectors have made their intensions clear for the ODI World Cup and you are not in their scheme of things?

I don’t think so.

Do you have any realistic chance of playing in the ODI World Cup which will be held in the sub-continent?

Yes, definitely. I am looking forward to the World Cup. That’s why I am disappointed. I wanted to perform well in the tri-series. I will give my best to be in the World Cup team if I get a chance to represent my country.Do you regret that you failed to grab the opportunities given to you earlier?

Not at all…Whenever I got the opportunity, I gave my best. In the last few matches, I played well to cement my place in the team. You can’t play well in all the matches. But I am hopeful about the future.

Thanks Maharoof for talking to Zeecric.com. We wish you all the best for the future

Thanks a lot.