The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
AS Sikandar Raza stepped up to hand him his One-Day International (ODI) cap, for a moment time stood still for Faraz Akram.
It was a surreal moment for the 30-year-old all-rounder as he never imagined he would one day receive the debutant’s cap from a player who has been his role model.
“I couldn’t have asked for any better guy to give me that cap than Raza.
“He has been with me ever since I was a teenager.
“And for him to give me that cap was, I mean, one of my best moments,” said Akram. His speech is something which I’ll always remember.
“He said that it’s not about making your debut for the country, but you have to make sure that you look ahead and win games for Zimbabwe.”
Akram made his debut for the Chevrons in the white-ball format three years ago when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan for a T20 series.
But he has had to wait for three more years before finally making his maiden appearance in the longer version of the white-ball format.
In-between the waiting period, it has not been all rosy, as he suffered a career-threatening injury.
He landed awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder as he tried to save a boundary in a domestic fixture.
However, his passion for the game and desire to achieve his dream saw Akram make a dramatic comeback.
“At the end of the day, it’s about achieving your dreams, I would say.
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“All you have to do in life is make sure that you have a goal and stick to it,” he said.
“Try your best to achieve whatever you can before you give up . . . I personally don’t feel like people should give up on their dreams.”
He paid tribute to senior players for helping him settle on his debut.
As a result, he had a decent outing, managing 58 runs from his allotted 10 overs.
“I had Raza and Craig Ervine whom I have played with before; they helped me out, while Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani were also there telling me to remain focused.
“And to cap my debut, I got a wicket. I wouldn’t have asked for more.”
With the white-ball series now behind him, Akram is in no rush to make a debut in the red-ball format.
“It would be great if I get to represent Zimbabwe in all the three formats but, at the moment, I am focused on the present because if you think too much ahead, you might lose the present.
“So, at the moment, I am focusing on becoming a better cricketer, but if I am picked, I will be ready and grateful,” added Akram.
