Young pace sensation Usman Shinwari is likely to travel to the UAE as part of Pakistan’s squad for the Sri Lanka ODI series. PHOTO: File/EXPRESS
Promising speedster Usman Shinwari’s stupendous show in the Departmental T20 final seems to have sealed his berth in the One Day International (ODI) squad that will take on Sri Lanka in the UAE later this month.
The 19-year-old impressed everyone with a scintillating burst in the recently concluded final of the Departmental T20 event by claiming a five-wicket haul against SNGPL to help ZTBL win the title.
The performance saw the teenager move the ball prodigiously at decent pace. ZTBL coach Wajahatullah Wasti told The Express Tribune that Shinwari could prove to be a surprise weapon for Pakistan in the upcoming World T20 event and that selectors must take a chance with him.
Shinwari’s emergence convinced ODI and Test skipper Misbahul Haq, who was one of the left-armer’s victims in the final, and the selection committee that he could provide the much needed penetration in Pakistan’s pace attack.
“The selection committee wants to gamble on the youngster Shinwari in the series against Sri Lanka,” an official having knowledge of the matter told The Express Tribune. “Misbah and the selectors want Shinwari to be included and they’ve also taken permission from Pakistan Cricket Board interim chairman Najam Sethi after a meeting.”
The official further added that the board has asked Shinwari to submit his passport to make arrangements for his travel to the UAE.
When a selection committee member was contacted on this issue, he revealed that the committee has given the green signal for the inclusion of the bowler as a possible reinforcement for the Twenty20 squad. However, the final decision rests with captain Mohammad Hafeez, while Misbah is also keen on including the pacer in the ODI team.
NBP trounce United Bank by 10 wickets
NBP recorded a comfortable 10-wicket win over United Bank in a President’s Trophy Grade One match played at Islamabad’s Diamond club ground. Ataullah was the star performer for the winners, claiming 10 wickets in the match that included a tally of six victims in the second innings.
United Bank’s batsmen played a poor game, scoring 129 and 160 in their two innings. NBP reached 285 in their first innings and chased down the five-run target in the second innings without the loss of a wicket to record an impressive win.
Pakistan Test discard Fawad Alam did his reputation no harm by scoring a crucial century for NBP in a match dominated by the bowlers. The left-hander scored 103 off 204 balls and his innings was studded with nine boundaries and a solitary six.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2013.
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He was selected based on his performance in first class cricket. . Care to share some outstanding recent performances in domestic cricket, by people with last names Magsi, Bugti, Bhutto, and Memon?? I'll skip Shah, because there are plenty of Shah/Syed or other related last names (of various linguistic groups) in cricket.
Skunk does stink.
@JD....which one day record are you talking about ? how many has he played ? he is only 19. So stop presuming. Let him get a chance and in-sha-allah he will prove himself.
We hear of Afridi, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, and now Shinwari. Why don't we hear of Magsi, Bugti, Bhutto, Shah, and Memon??? That is why our cricket does not prosper. It is not a national team selected on merit. Salams
I heard his record is kind of ordinary in ODI so far. Its the T20 he's ruling at the moment. Anyways, hope he excels and makes his country proud! :)