Faiz keen to make mark on the big stage

And Fazal’s choice was seen by many as only being the wrong move.

But Fazal took up the opportunity for only one reason: to make a mark at the top level of domestic cricket as Vidarbha’s chances of moving from the Plate division of Ranji Trophy to the Super Elite was next to impossible,while his performances at the Plate group too went unnoticed.

Faiz had scored an unbeaten 200 against Services in the 2008/09 season,but the feat was not given recognition by the selectors. A season later for Railways,Faiz scored 434 runs — which included three fifties — which was good enough for him to get a contract with the Rajasthan Royals.

Talking about the shift in fortunes with the change in domestic teams,the 24-year-old was happy that things were finally falling in line for him.

“It was a risk which I had to take. And now I am reaping the benefits,” Fazal said,speaking to Sportline.

Fazal played for the Rajasthan Royals against the Middlesex in an exhibition match at the Lord’s,but ended up making his official debut match in the Indian Premier League on Saturday,where he shone during his 23-ball 31 against the Kolkata Knight Riders,before falling to a Shane Bond short-pitched delivery.

 “I was in that frame of mind,where I had to make the most of whatever chances I get. It might look liek I was in a hurry and maybe I could have restrained myself. But I am happy with how I started,” he said,overall pleased with his first innings for the Royals.

Fazal added that he wasn’t intimidated by the pace of Bond,as he had faced him before,during the Border-Gavaskar scholarship stint in Australia four years back,when Bond was playing for the New Zealand A side.

“Because I had played him before,so I wasn’t startled by his pace. I was going for quick runs and failed to connect with the ball cleanly,so I got out,” he said.

Just a beginning

The KKR game was only the beginning and after having got a taste of the quick pace of the IPL,Fazal is now hungry for more.

“Now that I have begun well,I’ll have to do more to make myself a regular in the Rajasthan Royals team. Even (captain Shane) Warne says that this is the biggest stage to perform. Hopefully I will do well,” he signed off.