If you haven't watched any of the Pakistan Super League you might not know too much about this lad. It is my preferred overseas tournament, to be honest, so I've watched him a few times and liked what I have seen.
At 21 he is far from the finished article, but he is also a prodigious talent, the latest on a lengthy production line of fast bowlers in a country that has produced more than its share over the years.
He is quick, whippy and slingy. It isn't a classical high action, more a semi round fast arm like Lasith Malinga, or 'Slinger Malinga' as he was known. The type where you are never quite sure where the point of delivery is, before it spears into your toes or at your chest. It is always nice to have a 'mystery' bowler and relatively few on the county circuit will have faced his mixture of quicker and slower deliveries.
He has played a major part in his side's success in recent years, when Lahore Qalanders have won the PSL in 2022 and 2023. He was also a winner of silverware in the Sri Lankan T20, while he has made the introduction to international cricket with success.
He will arrive before the end of the month and will be a great asset to the squad. While logically he will take the place of Suranga Lakmal, Mickey Arthur can choose any two from his three overseas players. You could thus see the two of them in the same attack, alongside George Scrimshaw, which might be one of the more lively on the circuit..
Yes, I am pleased with this. It is a good indicator of the draw of having the Pakistan Head of Cricket in a dual role.
From the footage that can be seen online, there might be a few batters googling 'cricket shoes with reinforced toecaps' sometime today...
Welcome to Derbyshire, Zaman.
Hopefully we keep up your successful collection of silverware.
Here he is in action
https://youtu.be/Zn3bwG8-GTU
And defending thirteen in the final over of this year's competition
https://youtu.be/Xd2iyNBs-iI
An exciting signing and someone who knows what it's like to win a trophy, although I too would have preferred an all-rounder. Unless Ali gets injured, or doesn't score runs, we won't see Khan and Lakmal bowling together.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so either, or at least it would be unlikely. But Ali needs to score runs, or they could just as easily play Tom Wood in that position. Arthur said pre season that reputation means nothing in selection, so hopefully we see the best of Haider in this competition.
ReplyDeleteIf he produces it then it will be worth the admission fee!