Sialkot-born middle-order batter Saif Badar has claimed that he is willing to play for Pakistan if an opportunity arises, despite moving to the United States of America (USA).
Badar represented Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016, held in Bangladesh. Star all-rounder Shadab Khan was also part of the Pakistan squad, which finished in fifth position.
The middle-order batter also played for Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Islamabad United and Multan Sultans before relocating to the USA in 2022 to pursue better opportunities.
Recently during an interview with a local sports outlet, he justified his decision highlighting the lack of chances in Pakistan.
“My goal is to play as much cricket as possible and continue improving as a player. Moving from Pakistan to the USA was about seeking more opportunities to play the sport,” said Badar.
“Pakistan boasts a rich cricketing heritage and a well-established system. In contrast, the USA is still developing its cricket culture as it isn’t traditionally a cricketing nation.
“However, I’m optimistic about the investments being made in USA cricket, which will certainly lead to improvements.”
He recently participated in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024, representing Los Angeles Knight Riders, a franchise co-owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The 26-year-old batter mentioned that he is a fan of the Indian superstar and had hoped to meet him during MLC, but his wish wasn’t fulfilled this year.
“I’m a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan, so I was hoping to meet him in person during the season, although he couldn’t make it. Hopefully, there’s a chance next season,” he shared.
He revealed that his decision to relocate to the USA was driven by a desire to pursue new opportunities. Furthermore, he expressed his eagerness to embrace the possibility of playing in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) if given the chance.
“My move to the USA is primarily about enhancing my opportunities. If the chance arises, any player would welcome it. Right now, my focus is on personal improvement. We’ll see what the future holds,” he added.
The young batter was questioned about the potential of receiving a call-up from the Pakistan national team, similar to Usman Khan.
He stated that his primary focus at the moment is on advancing his career in the USA. However, he expressed that if the chance were to arise, it would be a dream come true for him to represent Pakistan in cricket.
“Playing for Pakistan has always been a dream since I started cricket. Currently based in the USA, I’m focused on playing here. While I don’t anticipate a call-up, if the opportunity arises, representing Pakistan would be an honour no one would turn down,” he concluded.
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