The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is proving to be a big hit among fans as the 2020 edition approaches the halfway mark.
Being held entirely on Pakistan soil for the first time in its history, the PSL has exceeded expectations with packed crowds witnessing the action across Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan.
With the 2020 T20I World Cup to come in Australia later this year, the PSL assumes great significance for the Pakistan national team and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq. The tournament serves as a chance for Misbah to figure out the core of his squad for the tournament in Australia which begins in October.
In the past, the PSL has thrown up plenty of future stars for Pakistan and the ongoing edition is proving to be no different. While there has once again been a lack of young local talent coming through in the batting department, the same has not been the case with the ball.
Pakistan’s rich tradition of producing quality fast bowlers has only been heightened in the 2020 PSL edition with scores of pacers making their marks for their respective franchises. As such, Misbah has his hands full in taking his pick of pacers for the T20I World Cup.
Here, we look at 11 Pakistan bowlers who has are impressing at the PSL.
Mohammad Hasnain (Quetta Gladiators)
The 19-year-old Pakistan pacer has fallen off the radar of late with the even younger Naseem Shah making all the headlines. However, Hasnain has launched himself right into contention once again by taking the PSL by storm. It was this competition that propelled him into the spotlight last year and the Quetta teenager is sounding an even bigger warning this time around.
With 10 wickets in six games including a four-wicket haul against Islamabad United, Hasnain sits on top of the wicket-taking charts in the PSL so far. He’s bowled with good pace and control for Quetta plus been pretty economical for the most part.
Mohammad Amir (Karachi Kings)
If there were any doubts remaining over Amir’s ability to still swing the cricket ball, they have been washed away for good after his latest PSL campaign. The left-armed pacer has been leading the line for Karachi with some aplomb and has made some vital breakthroughs with the new ball.
His dismissal of Haider Ali to send the stumps on a cartwheel was a sight to watch, with his ability to bring the ball back sharply into the right-hander on display once again. He is just one wicket short of matching Hasnain’s tally while his economy-rate of just 7.80 is impressive as well.
Haris Rauf (Lahore Qalandars)
It has been a remarkable rise from obscurity to a Pakistan T20 debut against Bangladesh recently for Haris Rauf who took the BBL by storm earlier this year. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate those displays for the franchise which gave him his initial breakthrough. In both the games that he has appeared in, Rauf has gone at more than 10 runs an over while claiming just three wickets.
Still, his raw pace and ability to bowl at the stumps should see him turnaround this form pretty soon.
Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators)
Having become the youngest bowler ever to claim a Test hat-trick in the recent clash against Bangladesh, Naseem Shah’s star has been soaring high. The teenager has shown the same intensity in Quetta colours and has been exceptional bar one expensive outing against Multan Sultans.
In his two other appearances, Shah has gone at less than six runs an over which is a pretty incredible feat for a fast bowler in T20 cricket.
Mohammad Ilyas (Multan Sultans)
While he did endure a forgettable outing against the Quetta Gladiators recently, Ilyas is another young pacer who has impressed in the ongoing edition. The 20-year-old was at his best against Peshawar Zalmi where he accounted for the big wickets of Shoaib Malik and Liam Livingstone by getting the ball to move away from the batsmen.
With his ability to generate movement with the new ball and decent speed, Ilyas does seem to have a bright future ahead of him.
Muhammad Musa (Islamabad United)
After what was a dreadful Test debut against Australia last year, Muhammad Musa has one again found comfort in the familiar surroundings of Islamabad United. The 19-year-old has had some strong displays, including a three-wicket haul in the campaign opener while he also showed extreme maturity with the bat against Lahore Qalandars.
However, he might need to make a bigger statement if he wants to be on the plane to Australia.
Sohail Tanvir (Multan Sultans)
A blast from the past, but Tanvir is showing why he was once considered to be among the best T20 bowlers. The left-armed seamer has played a crucial role in Multan’s rise to the top of the table with his whippy and unorthodox bowling action.
In five matches, Tanvir has claimed seven wicket with an economy-rate of just 6.86. If he keeps up these displays, it will be hard for Misbah to ignore his case for a shock World Cup recall.
Faheem Ashraf (Islamabad United)
Ashraf is another Pakistan capped player whose stock has fallen in recent months and the 26-year-old’s wicket-taking abilities in the PSL have sent a timely reminder. Though he has been very expensive with an economy-rate of 10.58, the Islamabad United man has shown a knack for claiming important wickets with seven scalps in his five appearances.
What sets Ashraf apart from the other bowlers in the fray is his ability to score some handy runs lower down the order and his all-round skills might just be enough to earn him a berth in the World Cup squad.
Shaheen Afridi (Lahore Qalandars)
Amidst the shipwreck that is Lahore Qalandars at the moment, young Afridi can still hold his head high with his individual displays. Still only 19, the left-armed seamer is bowling like he has been around for years and the supreme belief he has in his abilities shows in every game.
The teenager has claimed six wickets in four appearances with an economy-rate of less than seven runs an over. He will, no doubt, be the first bowler to be pencilled in by Misbah when the Pakistan coach sits down to select his squad for the World Cup.
Wahab Riaz (Peshawar Zalmi)
The veteran Pakistan pacer was terrific in the 2019 edition for Peshawar, although the same cannot be said for his displays in the ongoing campaign. The 34-year-old has been good in patches and has claimed five wickets in as many appearances for the franchise. However, his economy-rate is touching almost nine runs an over and that is an aspect he will want to improve upon in the remainder of the matches.
The left-armed pacer will definitely be in contention for the World Cup due to the experience he brings to the table, but he will want to quickly rediscover the form of the 2019 PSL which earned him a comeback to the Pakistan side.
Hasan Ali (Peshawar Zalmi)
One man who has plenty riding on his PSL displays is Hasan Ali, who once was a mainstay in the Pakistan team. A run of poor form followed by injuries has seen the 25-year-old not feature for Pakistan since June last year.
Having only just returned from an injury lay-off, Ali was taken to the cleaners (2-52) by Karachi in his first appearance in the campaign. To be fair to the seamer, he has slightly improved since that thrashing, though he still looks some way off his old best.
He still has time on his hands to regain his old rhythm, but he will definitely need to step it up a notch in the remainder of the campaign if he wants to earn a Pakistan recall.
Other contenders
Such are the pace and seam riches at Pakistan’s disposal that they could name an entire 16-man squad comprising of fast bowlers. Apart from the 11 aforementioned names, there are several other pacers who will want to have a final say in the World Cup selection. They include Sohail Khan who has been tidy for Quetta and Mohammad Irfan (Multan Sultans) who brings something different with his height and bounce.
Rahat Ali (Peshawar Zalmi) and Usman Shinwari (Lahore Qalandars) are two other bowlers who could work themselves into contention if they can get a run of games in the coming matches.
