“I am fit, and hungry to play for Guyana” – Fudadin

By Brandon Corlette

The 35-year-old Assad Fudadin is a happy man after making a return to the Guyana Jaguars 15-man squad that would contest the upcoming Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua. After the final practice match at La Bonne Intention (LBI), where Fudadin looked fluent in his shot-filled 39, the Berbician said he is fit, and hungry to play an intense brand of cricket.
“Obviously I am fit! I am still hungry, and I still want to play cricket with that intensity. In terms of preparation, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be more of a mental battle; but I am prepared,” Fudadin explained.

Asked about his goals for the upcoming tournament, Fudadin said he is not setting an overall goal, but is taking each match on its individual merit, and is focused on winning games for Guyana and performing at his optimum best.
“Guyana is my country of birth. I started all my cricket here, so it’s a good feeling to be back and playing cricket here, and to represent my country again. It’s a great honour, and I am feeling really happy,” he said.
In the 2019 Regional Super50 Cup, Fudadin did what no Guyanese batsman had ever done before; that is, scoring a century for his former team, Jamaica Scorpions. He scored 345 runs at an average above 43 in the eight innings, including two half-centuries and one century.
“Performances always give you confidence. That is the past, but I would be aiming to continue and even better that form I had for Jamaica in this upcoming Super50,” he disclosed.

Fudadin added that he was not surprised when he was listed in the 15-man squad. “I was not surprised, because I scored runs, and even my past 50-over tournaments, when I played for Guyana, I scored runs. I was not that surprised, but I am happy they accepted me. I must say I really appreciate it, and I will try and make this opportunity count.”
Shedding light on the 15-man squad, Fudadin noted that it is a mixture of youth and experience. Guyana last won a Regional Super50 Cup back in 2005, and Fudadin was involved in that squad. He says it would be nice for him to once more be involved in a Super50 Cup championship win.

“Winning the Super50 will mean a lot to me by coming back into the Guyana set-up, so it would be something special,” Fudadin added.
The experienced Fudadin, who played three Test matches for the West Indies, has 65 List A matches under his belt, with 1615 runs at an average that is a shade below 30. He has six List A centuries and 24 half-centuries. The left-hander has worked on his game, and with his new and improved aggressive approach, he may be that lucky charm that Guyana needs to win that elusive Super50 Cup.
Jaguars 2021 squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer (Vice Captain), Assad Fudadin (who returns to Guyana colours), Chandrapaul Hemraj, Trevon Griffith, Christopher Barnwell, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach.