Sajid Mahmood believes he is currently in the form of his life after forgetting about his England ambitions.
Lancashire reap rewards from fully-focused paceman
Lancashire paceman Sajid Mahmood believes he is currently in the form of his life - and puts it down to the fact he has stopped worrying about earning an England place.
The 29-year-old - cousin of world boxing champion Amir Khan - last represented his country in 2009, a one-day international against South Africa, and his last Test cap came against Australia at the start of 2007.
He has since slipped down the pecking order but what has been England's loss has certainly been Lancashire's gain with Mahmood playing a huge part in the Red Rose county's push for the championship title this season.
Last month he claimed his first 10-wicket match haul in victory over reigning champions Nottinghamshire and his performance against Durham last week in Liverpool drew high praise from former England skipper Paul Collingwood who got a close-up look at Mahmood's form.
Distracted
"I have to admit that previously I was very easily distracted. I wasn't concentrating as much as I should have. But I have worked a lot on the mental side of the game this season and it seems to be paying off," Mahmood told the
Manchester Evening News.
"I am enjoying my cricket totally. Previously, I probably thought too much about playing for England and that put me off my game a little.
"I was putting too much pressure on myself to try and perform and get myself back in the England side.
"This year I have not done that at all, I have just been concentrating on playing county cricket.
"I have been working on what I need to do to do well for Lancashire, not what I need to do to get back in the England side.
"And it seems to be working pretty well. I perform at my best when I am pretty relaxed. When I relax there is no pressure on me."
