All you need to know about Pakistan's latest spin bowling prodigy Mohammad Asghar
Feb 12, 2016
ISLAMABAD UNITED V PESHAWAR ZALMI
Over 4.3
Mohammad Asghar to Shane Watson
A well flighted delivery lands near the middle stump of Watson after dipping considerably deceiving Watson, who was on the move to attack, and turning past his stretched bat to strike off stump.
It was a dream delivery for any left arm spinner. There is nothing in cricket like being able to get past the defences of a skilful batsman. The 17-year-old Mohammad Asghar had shown that he has the potential to go all the way.
The call-up
Fast forward to December 8, 2016, the left arm spinner, still just 17 has been called up to the Pakistan Test squad touring Australia as a backup for leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who missed the tour match due to an injury, putting his participation in the first Test in doubt.
There is an indication to suggest that the lad was originally in Pakistan's plans for Australia as he was withdrawn from the Bangladesh Premier League to play first-class cricket back home. However, he wasn't named in the initial Test squad as Pakistan chose to retain the same players as in the New Zealand series.
His first-class record is terrific considering his age. Asghar has figured in 17 first-class matches since his debut as a 15-year-old kid in 2014. He has taken 68 wickets at an impressive average of 26.61.
Why a 17-year-old?
Pakistan are known to find raw talent from different parts of the country and unleash them on the international stage pretty early. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Amir are all examples of Pakistan's terrific talent identification process. For a country scarred by political issues, the ability to unearth raw talent from the streets is something which other cricketing nations have looked upon with envy.
Asghar is a similar pick but unlike the others, he has considerable experience in first-class cricket since he debuted for Peshawar in December 2014. By picking him over the regular backup spinner, Zulfiqur Babar, the selectors have sent a strong signal. They have identified Asghar as the future and hope to make him comfortable in the national team by helping him gel in during the tour.
Tracing Asghar's path
A street cricketer in Hub, Balochistan, Asghar was encouraged by his friends to take up cricket as a career. His baby steps on the way to international cricket started when he was introduced to Iqbal Qasim, a former Pakistan Test cricketer by National Bank's Ishaq Patel.
Qasim was also a left arm spinner and the head of National Bank's sports affairs. Asghar was soon playing Under-19's for NPB earning a petty sum as salary. That amount, however, multiplied several times as he became a prominent figure in the team.
“Asghar is a natural talent like Wasim Akram,” says Iqbal Qasim. "The control Asghar has over his spin bowling is something that can’t be taught to a bowler and is always inborn,” the former cricketer added.
Before getting accommodation in NBP, Asghar used to travel the whole way from Hub to Karachi to play cricket. The passion for game was evident in the youngster according to Qasim.
Also Read: Pakistan vs Australia 2016-17: Tracing Pakistan's Test record Down Under
He is a regular now with the PSL side Peshawar Zalmi skippered by Shahid Afridi and is one of their most economical bowlers. In the inaugural PSL in 2016, Asghar finished as the second highest wicket-taker for his side with 11 scalps.
Records in domestic cricket
He also played for Pakistan A against Zimbabwe A in two unofficial Test matches in October and took 13 wickets across the two matches. His best in first-class cricket is 5/28. He has three other five-wicket hauls in his career and a ten-wicket haul as well.
His average of 20.91 after 30 T20 matches is pretty impressive too. His economy of 6.52 is possibly what attracted PSL teams. He also has 47 wickets in List A cricket from 27 matches with a best of 5/41.
How he can figure in Pakistan's plans
The left arm spinner is not likely to get a debut in Australia despite being picked. As the selectors said, Asghar is on tour to get a "feel of international cricket" and even if Yasir Shah is unfit for the opening Test, Pakistan have Mohammad Nawaz, another left-arm spinner, to fill in for him.
That said, the 17-year-old is a rare talent and Pakistan have played much younger players in Tests before. Although Australia might not be an ideal place for a spinner to make his debut, Asghar has shown temperament and maturity that belies his age.
A debut in Dubai would be more ideal but one cannot rule out him playing in Australia. Pakistan have rarely carried around a very young player on a tour without unleashing him at some stage in the series. His lack of experience with the pink ball could, however, count against him for the first Test.