Sarfraz’s growing trust in Mohammad Hasnain bodes well for his career

The thing about Pakistan cricket is we trust our youngsters, especially bowlers. They are thrown at the deep end and expected to swim. With our rich history, it makes perfect sense. Take Mohammad Hasnain for example. Initially Ghulam Muddassar was ahead of him. Then Colin Ingram dismantled Muddassar (and other QG bowlers) and that made room for Hasnain.

Initially, Sarfraz did try to use experienced bowlers in crunch moments. But Hasnain with his pace and accuracy forced the captain’s hand. In the very initial phase of his career, the boy from Hyderabad is bowling within power and at the death. Captain doesn’t wait for a key wicket to fall to bring him on. Rather he is brought on to pick up the key wicket.

He did take a bit of tap from Andre Fletcher, Kamran Akmal and Kieron Pollard. Yet it was all within control for captain. Among the pacer, he gave away the lowest rpo. The vastly experience duo of Sohail Tanvir and DJ Bravo were taken for more runs. That was thanks to difference of pace. Hasnain, could get hit for a boundary and come back with a ball 20kph slower, or bowl at a hard length. He varied his lengths wonderfully.

After having hit Pollard on his head with a short one, Hasnian brought one back into to a resurgent Kamran Akmal to get him bowled. It was a beautiful sight if you are a Quetta Gladiators fan or just a cricket fan. It opened one end up for Quetta. With 19 balls remaining, it brought Darren Sammy and later Umer Amin. Their combined score was 4 of 7 balls. Had Kamran Akmal faced those balls, the Zalmis could have easily reached perhaps 180.

The wicket taking ability and defensive skills of Hasnain made a big difference for Quetta. With such performances he is inching closer towards national selection.