Former West Indies left hander Assad Fudadin is viewing his recall to the West Indies `A’ team for Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of the Caribbean as a great stage to showcase his hunger to once again don West Indies colours at the highest level.
Fudadin has played for the West Indies U15 team that participated in the Costcutter World Challenge tournament in 2000 and then spent a couple of years with the Guyana U-19 team before going on to represent the West Indies at the U19 World Cup in 2004. He was also selected in the West Indies `A’ side which toured England in 2010.
The left hander made his test debut for the West Indies last year against England and went on to play three test matches recording his highest test score of 55 against New Zealand that same year.
He also showed decent form with the bat in this year’s Regional tournament playing six four-day matches, scoring 289 runs with an average of 26.27 with two half centuries including his top score of 87.
However, his Super50 stats did not reflect that same form as he scored 85 runs from five matches averaging 21.25 with a top score of 31.
In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday Fudadin said: “I am feeling good about my current form. I’ve been getting runs in recent games which has been great. I was a bit disappointed about my form in the Regional tournament. However, I have a more positive mindset going into this tour,” he declared.
Fudadin also spoke about his fitness.
“I’m heading into Sri Lankan games fully fit. Since the Regional tournament concluded I have been maintaining my fitness by working out on my own,” he disclosed.
The 27-year-old declared that his goal for this tour is “to score a lot of runs.”
He is also aiming to secure a recall to the West Indies senior team, a dream the batsman said he has chased ever since he was a child.
“Since I was a little kid I dreamt of representing the West Indies, whether in the A team or U19 levels. I was fortunate to have my chance and I am aiming to relive that opportunity as I see myself as an ambassador for my country and people in the Caribbean when I put on those West Indies colors,” he said.
When asked about personal challenges he thinks the upcoming tours will present, the stylish left-hander replied:”This is a chance to redeem myself with the bat after not giving my best in the Regional competition.
“I plan on going out there and put my best performances forward for myself and team.”
Fudadin also stated that his hopes for a West Indies recall are not limited to a specific format as he is desirous of wearing the West Indies colors in any of the three aspects of the game (T20, ODI and Test).
“I am a batsman, and, as a batsman you must have the ability to adjust your game when the time is needed. But I am more interested in playing in the longer version and then eventually working my way into the other formats,” he added.
“My main aim is to earn that West Indies recall but I will do it one step at a time. I am also interested in being selected by one of the Caribbean Premier Leagues (CPL) franchises so I can showcase my talent as a T20 player,” Fudadin added.
