Shinwari can be a ‘surprise’ weapon for World T20

ZTBL left-arm quick makes an impression in local cricket circuit.

KARACHI: Former Test player and ZTBL coach Wajahatullah Wasti has emphasised that selectors should seriously look at new pace sensation Usman Khan Shinwari as a possible surprise weapon for Pakistan in the ICC World Twenty20 next year.

The 19-year-old left-arm bowler is new to the domestic circuit, but has impressed everyone in only the handful of matches he has played so far.

He was instrumental in guiding ZTBL to the Departmental T20 crown by bowling a destructive spell which fetched him a five-wicket haul against SNGPL in the final on Tuesday.

The five-for helped him win the man-of-the-final and best bowler in the competition awards.

Shinwari has ordinary returns in the longer formats of the game. However, his performance in the departmental T20 has been exemplary, where he snared 11 wickets in all including the impressive show in the final.

His scalps in the tournament decider included Taufeeq Umar and Misbahul Haq.

“Usman Shinwari can prove to be a really good surprise weapon for Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup,” Wasti told The Express Tribune.

“He isn’t an easy bowler to face in the T20 format, especially because batsmen have less time to settle when the ball is moving and that is where a bowler gets wickets.

“Usman can prove to be a surprise weapon just like Sohail Tanvir was in 2007 T20 World Cup and Mohammad Amir was in 2009 mega event, because he can easily bowl over 140kph.”

On the other hand, Wasti warned that he must be allowed to bowl with his natural action and should not be coached.

“We picked him in Islamia Cricket Academy. We haven’t worked on his action as he has an exceptional quality of moving the ball. We have only worked on his fitness so that he can bowl fast.

“Our so-called qualified coaches have already ruined a promising bowler in Anwar Ali as his movement has ended. Anwar could’ve been a devastating bowler in international arena but the coaches ruined him and I want to avoid a similar fate for Shinwari.”

‘I want to be like Wasim Akram’

Meanwhile, Shinwari – who hails from Fata but lives in Peshawar – wants to become a top bowler like the legendary Wasim Akram.

“My aim is to achieve big things for Pakistan, just like my idol Wasim Akram did,” he said. “There was only one Wasim but I want to become like him as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.