Summary Listed are seven promising players who made their debut in 2017, and cemented their place. Photo: File Photo
By Fuzail Zafar
Throughout the outgoing year, Pakistan cricket remained what England veteran Nasir Hussain famously remarked at the Oval: “one minute down, next minute up.” The year began with some of the unpleasant memories, as Australia completed a thumping 4-1 ODI series win over Pakistan in January.
February witnessed Shahid Afridi’s one final announcement that his international career was over, not to mention the ugly PSL spot fixing saga transpiring in the same month which left the likes of Sharjeel Khan, Nasir Jamshed and Khalid Latif stranded on the wilderness of disgrace and infamy, before being handed over lengthy bans.
However, the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn. March gave Pakistan a breath of fresh air in Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, both making their debuts in T20 series against the West Indies. The same pair would go on to win the Champions Trophy for Pakistan in July.
The constant injection of debutants after March served a two-pronged purpose: Pakistan reclaimed their dominance in ODI and T20 cricket, and the process of salvation from PSL fiasco became a lot easier. Unfortunately, the chasm created after Misbah and Younis departure could not be bridged, as routing at the hands of Sri Lanka in two-match test series vividly illustrated.
Listed below are seven promising players who made their debut in 2017 and look set to serve Pakistan cricket for years, if not decades, to come:
1. Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan cheering after taking a wicket. Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
The way this little dynamite made Indian veteran Yuvraj Singh look hapless during the champions trophy final sums up the story of Shadab Khan: aggressive, buoyant and smart.
Ever since his debut in March, he has been spinning top batsmen of the world back to the pavilion, and he is making it all look so easy. Averaging impressive 16 and 25 in T20s and ODIs respectively, the 19 years old has a long career ahead.
2. Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman, the 27-year-old is now an indispensable part of the resuscitated team Pakistan. Photo: DailyMotion
Indeed, his T20 debut in the Caribbean didn’t catch pundits’ attention. And indeed, no one was vouching for him when the PCB announced the squad for the Champions Trophy. Thanks to Ahmad Shehzad’s wobbling form, he was called against the mighty South Africa in the second CT fixture.
He scored blistering little cameos from then onwards, before ascending to the empyreal realm of immortality at the Oval, when he made his maiden ODI ton against India in the CT final. The 27-year-old is now an indispensable part of the resuscitated team Pakistan.
3. Muhammad Abbas
Abbas, the right arm seamer made his debut against the WI at Kingston in April. Photo: Mark Ralston/ Getty Images
Only two good things happened to Pakistan test cricket in 2017: first was a series win against the West Indies at the Caribbean, and second Muhammad Abbas. The right arm seamer made his debut against the WI at Kingston in April.
His old fashioned, yet on point, way of delivering the red ball is what Pakistan was missing since the Asif departure. Bagging 23 wickets in five tests, the 27-years-old has effortlessly cemented his place in the playing 11, albeit in the white kit.
4. Rumman Raees
Rumman Raees of Pakistan celebrates after dismissing Alex Hales of England during the ICC Champions Trophy. Photo: Philip Brown/ Getty Images
What possibly a player could do when he is asked to make a debut and replace Muhammad Amir in the semi-final of the CT that too against hosts England? Well, he could pick two early wickets, only if his name is Rumman Raees.
Surely, his memorable spell was enough to earn him a permanent place in the squad.
5. Faheem Ashraf
Faheem Ashraf became the first Pakistan bowler to take a hat-trick in T20 Internationals when he achieved the feat against Sri Lanka. Photo: AP
Another Champions Trophy product, Faheem Ashraf juddered the cricketing world when he smashed Bangladeshi bowlers out of the park in a CT warm-up, giving Pakistan a win from an impossible situation. His ODI debut in the same tournament against Sri Lanka corroborated the fact that he is a genuine all-rounder, with unmatched dexterity both in fast bowling and hard hitting.
Also, his hat trick against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi T20 further elevated his rank as a top-notch member of the first team. He is only 23 years old.
6. Usman Khan
Khan his second ODI, he took a five-for within just 21 deliveries, making him the second fastest to do so. Photo: AP
Also known simply as Sinwari, Usman represents post-Champions Trophy generation of the debutants. Although he made his not-so-impressive T20 debut long ago, the beginning of his ODI career was scintillating. In his second ODI, he took a five-for within just 21 deliveries, making him the second fastest to do so.
His ability to swing both ways and sheer ability to utilise the conditions in his favour makes him a bright prospect for team Pakistan’s fortunes.
7. Imam-ul-Haq
Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan cricket team glances the ball to the outfield during his century innings against Sri Lanka cricket team in the third ODI at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Getty Images
Debuting in the same series as Usman, that is, against Sri Lanka in October, the 22-years-old nephew of Inzi became only the second Pakistani to score a hundred in his debut game. This wasn’t it. His composure, elegance and belligerence makes him all the more exciting a prospect. Imam can certainly aim for a long, bright cricketing career.
