Pakistan reward rookie bowler with T20 spot

[Edevelop]

KARACHI: Cricket selectors rewarded a 19-year-old rookie bowler from the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a place in the Twenty20 squad on Tuesday.


Usman Khan Shinwari was added to the squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka starting in Dubai on Wednesday after the left-arm paceman impressed in domestic matches.


The Pakistan Cricket Board said Shinwari would join the team in time for the first match.


Shinwari bowled his domestic team Zarai Taraqiati Bank (Agriculture Development Bank) to the National Twenty20 title on December 3 with a burst of 5-9 in a devastating four-over spell.


His wickets included the second-ball dismissal of Pakistan one-day and Test captain Misbah-ul Haq, who was playing for champions Sui Northern Gas.


Shinwari has been on the selectors' radar target since early this year when he bowled with venom and penetration in domestic matches.


Misbah praised the youngster earlier this week and hinted he would make the national team. He said,


Shinwari bowled very well in the Twenty20 final and was nearly unplayable. We are considering his inclusion for the Sri Lanka series.


Pakistan has a history of introducing fast bowlers at an early age, with Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed all debuting in their teens.


Shinwari may also get the selectors' nod for the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka which follows the two Twenty20 matches.


Paceman Mohammad Irfan has been ruled out due to injury while another quick, Umar Gul, has not fully recovered from a knee operation.


Pakistan will also play three Tests against Sri Lanka.


Pakistan reward rookie bowler with T20 spot - DAWN.COM

 

[farhan_9909]

he's not from KPK but FATA.

Best of luck sheenwari wrora

 

[W.11]

his performance in the president cup tournament held in lahore won him the spot

 

[Edevelop]

he's not from KPK but FATA.

Best of luck sheenwari wrora

Pakistan have added the uncapped left-arm seamer Usman Khan to the T20 squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, beginning on Wednesday. In his maiden season, the 19-year-old took 5 for 9 to help Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) beat Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited in the final of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup for departments in December. He was also the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in six games.

"I wasn't really expecting such a quick call but I am terribly lucky to have a chance after my best spell against the best players in domestic cricket," Usman told ESPNcricinfo. "I am thankful to the selectors and the PCB for picking me up.

"I don't know if this is too early for me (to play the international cricket) but what I can say is that I am bowling at my best and ready to hit the international arena. I am looking forward to the opportunity and would like to be Pakistan's surprise package against Sri Lanka."

Born in Landi Kotal, a town 1,072m above sea level in the mountain ranges of FATA, Usman was identified by Khan Research Laboratories for their inter-department Under-19 team in 2011. He later joined ZTBL, for which he made his first-class debut.

In four first-class matches, Usman has picked up 12 wickets with a best of 4 for 27. He has also taken 16 wickets in 11 T20 games.

Usman is the fifth seamer in the T20 squad and third left-armer, including Sohail Tanvir and Junaid Khan. He is expected to join the team on the morning of the first T20 in Dubai on Wednesday.


Pakistan v Sri Lanka 2013-14 : Usman Khan added to Pakistan T20 squad | Cricket News | Pakistan v Sri Lanka | ESPN Cricinfo

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