Fudadin would have liked to play in S/Africa Tests

Mar 05, 2015 Sports

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But feels everything happens for a reason

By Sean Devers
A lot has changed in the life of West Indies Test left-hander Assad Fudadin since his 55

helped the West Indies beat Pakistan to win the 2000 under-15 World Cup and four years later he made 13 in U-19 World Cup final which the West Indies lost by 25 runs to Pakistan.
Back then the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club all-rounder was a dashing batsman who enjoyed playing shots and when he made his First-Class debut for Guyana against Kenya in 2004 he was an aggressive batsman without his beard.
But now he has matured as an individual and cricketer, is married to Akeema, has a six-year-old son. But most noticeable he now sports a flowing beard which he says is to be physically identified as a Muslim.
But he was quick to add that while he wants people know he is a Muslim by his looks it is more important to show the character of someone who is very serious about his Islamic faith.
He is now more focused in his Islam which means ‘a way of life’ and this new focus has not only affected his life in a positive way but also rubbed off on his cricket career. He began growing his beard two ‘Ramadans’ ago in July of 2013 after returning from Bangladesh with the West Indies team the year before.
Born in August 1985 in Berbice, Guyana’s second largest county, Fudadin fulfilled his

boyhood dream of playing Test cricket when he made his Test debut in 2012 against England to become one of 17 players from the Ancient County to play at the highest level and the only one to do from Rose Hall Town.
“When I broke my finger while doing fielding drills on the morning of the first Test (Dec 17, 2014) in South Africa, I would have liked to play since I had a chance of doing well against world quality bowlers and secure a permanent place on the West Indies team. I got two screws in my finger and I could remove them after six months but I don’t have to. I would not say I am disappointed because I believe that everything happens for a reason and God is in control of what happens to everyone,” Fudadin explained.
The 29-year-old disclosed that since he has moved closer to Allah he has been able to deal a lot better with disappoint and knowing that everything happens for a reason, helps.
“Even though I was injured I could not get back home for Christmas since the rules of getting a UK Visa was changed a few days after we arrived in South Africa. I had to wait for 15 working days to get back my passport which meant I could not get it until during the final Test. I was with the team all that time in my West Indies clothes, sometimes playing the role of 12th man. I could not grip the weights at the Gym and I ran to stay fit. But I missed playing,” disclosed Fudadin, who has one Test fifty and an average of 30.50.
Fudadin, who said he was not surprised by his selection for the South Africa series because of his good performances with the ‘A’ team, is hoping to return to the Guyana team but is not setting any goals if he plays in the three remaining games.
“While I would like to play against England, right now I am not looking that far ahead. I am taking one step at a time beginning with getting back into the Guyana team.
Session by session, match by match, make runs and stay in the moment and leave it to the selectors,” said Fudadin, who has four centuries and 19 fifties from 75 First-Class matches.
Fudadin batted in an ultra defensive manner in last year’s Regional tournament but pointed out that when Hashim Alma started he was deemed a Test batsman only but he is now one of the most consistent batsmen in all formats.
“If you have a solid technique in Test cricket you don’t have to change that to be successful in the shorter version. What you need to change is your mindset and take a few more risks, find the gaps and face fewer dot balls,” Fudadin opined.
Fudadin disclosed that he supports the Franchise contracts to the 90 players who have not been able to hold down places at the International level and advised them to work hard since he feels you get out what you put in. He also feels it is important to be honest in whatever you do.
Fudadin, who also plays first division cricket for City side GNIC, says while he started as a middle order batsman he is willing to bat anywhere if the team needs him to do so.
He also described what it is like to be a Muslim in the West Indies team adding that he now proudly dresses in a Kurta and tope when he goes to the mosque, which he did in South Africa.
“I am very comfortable being a Muslim in the West Indies team. The players and management made me feel very comfortable and don’t have a problem with me practicing my Islam in the dressing room.
Fudadin explained that when he was doing ‘Salaat’ (praying on mat) those in the team who wanted to understand what he was doing would ask questions and never once did he ever feel discriminated against because of his religion.
A compact batsman who could open the batting, Fudadin says he is eager to return to playing cricket and feels he is fit enough to play, having been selected to face Jamaica.

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