England pacer turned down Indian T20 League contract to focus on Test career

England pacer Saqib Mahmood has revealed that he turned down an Indian T20 League contract. Mahmood reasoned that he wanted to play for Lancashire and push his red-ball career. He made his debut in Tests last month, in the three-match series against the West Indies. The right-arm pacer played two games and picked six wickets, averaging 22.83.

Meanwhile, the Birmingham-born player added that he spoke to a few guys and felt it was in his best interest to focus on the longest form of the game. The player from Pakistan heritage has played 27 First-Class games. In those games, he has 76 wickets to his name.

“I turned down an IPL offer just to be here playing for Lancashire and try to push my red-ball credentials,” Mahmood said, speaking at a press day at Emirates Old Trafford. “I got an offer while we were out in the Caribbean and it was a decision I had to make.

 “I spoke to a couple of the guys around me and felt as though it was in my best interests at the moment to focus on red-ball cricket. Hopefully that can highlight my ambition to play Test cricket and to give myself the best chance to do that by performing here for Lancashire.”

 The 25-year-old further added that turning down the cash-rich league was his choice. He also revealed that he had a conversation with all-rounder Ben Stokes about why the latter didn’t go for the biggest T20 League. Stokes replied that he also wants to prioritize red-ball cricket and be part of the England team moving forward.

 “That was my choice,” Mahmood added. “It was funny because it came from a conversation I had with Stokesy over breakfast one morning. I got talking to him about why he didn’t go to the IPL and he said he wanted to prioritise red-ball cricket and be a part of the squad moving forward.