Dubai. Usman Khan Shinwari, who wrecked Sri Lanka with a spell of 5 for 34 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday always dreamt of being a fearsome fast bowler despite facing the toughest of odds.
Hailing from the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he was among the fastest bowlers in the region. Usman chased his dream with hard work, wrecking teams in domestic cricket to get a call up for national duty.
And Sri Lanka got a taste of his pace and realised how dangerous he can be on Monday.
the 23-year-old Usman first caught the attention of the selectors in 2013, through a deadly spell of five wickets for nine runs in the finals of the National Twenty20 tournament for his domestic team Zarai Taraqiati Bank. His victims included Pakistan One-day and Test captain Misbah-ul Haq, who was playing for Sui Northern Gas.
Usman got picked for the 2013 T20 series against Sri Lanka and made his debut in Dubai. He played in the two T20 matches in Dubai but could not get any wickets. He had to wait till last month to get a recall and played against the World XI in Pakistan.
Usman’s never say die attitude has helped him all his life. He also knows that once he gets into rhythm he can be deadly. Talking about his five wicket spell, Usman said: “Before the match we did a complete warm up and my bowling coach (Azhar Mahmood) told me to attack from the first ball and that’s what I did and that’s why I got early wickets.”
Khan got picked for this series as Mohammad Amir was injured. Amir is Usman’s inspiration. “My relatives, before leaving for the UAE, had reminded me that I am replacing Amir and so should do well. You cannot compare me with Amir because he is a great bowler. He was my inspiration to do well; unfortunately he is not here to see my bowling.”
Usman became a cricketer because his father had forced him to play cricket. He used to take him to Tatara ground of Landi Kotal, which is not a proper cricket ground and is surrounded by hills. Usman made his name by first playing in village cricket.
“I dedicate my performance to my parents,” Usman said.
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur had stated before the Sharjah match that he rated Usman highly, but the biggest compliment came from the team’s bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. “I saw Usman for the first time during Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings. He came across as a young fast bowler with courage and a desire to learn. I have seen Shoaib Akthar demolishing teams in five or six overs. This is the first time someone got a five for in 3.2 overs. That is a remarkable achievement from him. For few years he did get not get the chance, but he showed what he can do. I like his hunger for wickets. That shows hard works pays off. I think it is one of the best bowling performances in cricket.”
