The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become one of the most prominent T20 franchise leagues in the world as it enters its eighth season. One of the league’s strengths is its ability to discover and launch the careers of young fast-bowlers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammed Hasnain, and Naseem Shah.
As the league progresses, fans are eager to identify the next uncapped fast-bowler who will burst onto the international scene. Let’s take a look at five of them:
Zaman Khan:
Another young and promising fast-bowler in this year’s PSL is Zaman Khan, who represents the Lahore Qalandars. The 21-year-old made a breakthrough in the last season, where he played for the PSL champions and took 18 wickets. Only Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan took more wickets during that campaign.
Although he has only taken two wickets so far this season, Khan’s consistent performances under the captaincy of Shaheen Shah Afridi should help in his development. Interestingly, he claims that his pace does not matter much to him as it comes naturally.
Khan has been compared to Umran Malik, as both of them have broken into their respective franchise leagues through their pace. His impressive form in the previous season earned him an opportunity to play for the Jaffna Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he took a wicket in all but one of his five appearances. This suggests that Khan has the potential to make a significant impact in the international game in the future.
Abbas Afridi:
Multan Sultan’s bowling attack boasts a wealth of talent, and among their promising young fast bowlers is Abbas Afridi. In the current season of the PSL, he is ranked second on the list of highest wicket-takers. With the surname Afridi already iconic in Pakistan cricket thanks to the likes of Shaheen and Shahid, Abbas has the potential to add another to that list if he continues to develop. At only 21 years of age, he has a long career ahead of him.
Afridi’s abilities were on full display in the final over of a recent game, where he showed resilience and composure. Despite conceding a no-ball six, two wides, and being hit for another six, he managed to defend 22 runs. The equation eventually came down to six runs needed off four balls, and Afridi held his nerve to help his team secure victory. These performances demonstrate his potential to become a top-level fast bowler in the future.
Mohammad Ilyas:
Mohammed Ilyas is another promising fast bowler who plays for the Multan Sultans. He is the most experienced home-grown seamer in their squad, particularly with the loss of Shahnawaz Dahani due to injury. Ilyas has been playing in the PSL since 2019 and has taken 28 wickets, placing him on the all-time wicket-takers list in PSL history.
Although Ilyas does not possess the same level of express pace as some of the other bowlers on this list, his control and movement make him an effective wicket-taking option in T20 cricket. Multan Sultans have a highly entertaining fast-bowling attack, and Ilyas is a valuable part of this unit.
Salman Irshad:
Salman Irshad, a member of the Peshawar Zalmi squad, has a unique bowling action that is reminiscent of the legendary Lasith Malinga. The angle of his arm when releasing the ball is a fascinating sight to behold. He enjoyed a successful season last year, taking 15 wickets in just eight games. Despite being 27 years old, Irshad has only played 38 T20 matches and taken 45 wickets, indicating that he still has a lot of potential to fulfill.
He was also given the opportunity to play for the Dhaka Dominators in the Bangladesh Premier League this season, where he played in five games. Irshad has a tendency to take important wickets and has claimed the scalps of notable players such as Shan Masood and Rilee Rossouw in his most recent game. His action and ability to take wickets make him a player to watch out for in the coming years.
Ihsanullah:
This year’s competition has introduced a newcomer, Ihsanullah, whose impressive performances have generated significant buzz. In his five matches, Ihsanullah has taken 12 wickets and is currently the top wicket-taker in the league.
Commentator Mark Butcher notes that Ihsanullah is new to top-flight cricket and has yet to master fielding positions and other aspects of the game. However, when he has a cricket ball in his hand, he proves to be a lethal force. In a recent game against Karachi Kings, Ihsanullah showcased his smart and speedy play, conceding only 17 runs in his four overs in a match that produced 389 runs.
Ihsanullah’s raw talent and impressive performances have even prompted him to challenge Indian quick Umram Malik, stating that he will try to bowl faster than him. He has set a lofty goal of reaching 160 kph, and it may not be long before he earns a fast-track to the international game.
Zeeshan Zameer:
Zeeshan Zameer may be inexperienced, but he possesses all the attributes to become a promising prospect for Pakistan’s fast bowling unit. Despite playing in only his second PSL game, he took the prized scalp of Pakistan captain Babar Azam with a superb delivery that rose off a length. Zameer’s potential was further highlighted when he claimed a five-wicket haul against India U19s, including the wicket of Indian captain Yash Dull who has four first-class centuries.
His impressive performance drew high praise from cricket expert Ian Bishop who tweeted, “Wow. Young Zeeshan Zameer has some serious wheels man. To get Babar with that is special.” Pakistan has a history of promoting young bowling talent, and if Zameer can avoid injury, he could become another exciting prospect to emerge from the country.
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