Pakistan World Cup winning pacer Aqib Javed has identified a few names that can emerge as next big stars after the conclusion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition 3, which is starting from February 22.
Aqib, who himself will be coaching Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, has found some new players during the players hunt programme of the franchise.
On top of the list he puts Salman Irshad, a pacer from Kashmir who can bowl 95+ mph. He was selected during the trails in Azad Kashmir.
“Salman’s action has the ability to bowl 100 mph or 95+ mph if he continues to train as he is been doing in Australia,” Aqib said. “Salman was so lucky that he was selected and went with the team in Australia where his body was examined. We had to work with his leg muscles.”
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On the other hand, speaking about the batsmen, the first name which came to his mind was Sahibzada Farhan. “I wanted to pick him for Lahore Qalandars but opted for Raza Hasan, who came from rehab,” he said.
“Farhan reminds me of Kamran Akmal. His style of batting especially his pull, cut and straight hit impressed me allot," he said,
While another batsman who will be making his name in this edition of the PSL would be Sohail Aakhtar. “Sohail is 32 years old, but a naturally gifted batsman. His wrist work is so impressive at some time he looks even better than Umar Akmal.”
“Someone recommended him to me. First he came to the trails, he was fat and bulky. I asked him to play in the nets. Once he started playing it showed me a few glimpse of his talent. I then asked Umar and Sohail to bat together in the side match.”
“Once he started batting and get on roll, he looks better than Umar. He is currently training with the team. He lost some of the weight and got in good shape. He will be next Fakhar after this PSL,” said the former head coach of Pakistan team.
With 22 days remaining for PSL3 to kick off, fans are excited to see their super stars in action.