Who is Sufiyan Muqeem? 5 interesting facts about Pakistan left-arm wrist-spinner who too 5/3 vs Zimbabwe in 2nd T20I 2024
25-year-old Sufiyan Muqeem made history in the second Pakistan vs Zimbabwe T20I as the Men in Green secured a 10-wicket win and sealed the series 2-0 with a game to spare. Bowling first, Pakistan bowled Zimbabwe out for just 57 runs, with Sufiyan playing a major role as he returned with figures of 2.4-0-3-5.
The left-arm wrist-spinner has been in top form as he picked up three wickets in the first T20I as well. With eight wickets from two matches, he is currently the leading wicket-taker in the series.
Sufiyan Muqeem was named the Player of the Match in the second T20I for his incredible bowling performance. He broke Umar Gul's record for the best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler in T20Is.
The young spinner could be a star in the making if given enough opportunities and groomed well going forward. After his scintillating display against Zimbabwe in the second T20I, let us take a look at five interesting facts about the left-arm wrist-spinner.
#5 Sufiyan Muqeem was fast-tracked into the Pakistan team without much domestic experience
Interestingly, Sufiyan Muqeem has not played any first-class matches in his career. He has played only six List-A games where he picked up 10 wickets and 16 T20s where he picked up 24 wickets.
However, he has already played seven T20 International matches (including the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe) and has an impressive record, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 8.14 and an economy-rate of 5.26.
#4 He made his T20I debut during the 2023 Asian Games
Sufiyan made his first international T20I appearance for Pakistan against Hong Kong during the 2023 Asian Games quarterfinals on October 3, 2023, in Hangzhou.
Sufiyan faced one delivery and remained unbeaten on one run as Pakistan batted first. In the second innings, he picked up two wickets, giving away only 11 runs from four overs as Pakistan secured a 68-run win.
#3 Sufiyan has played only five Pakistan Super League (PSL) games so far
Sufiyan Muqeem has played only five matches in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), all coming in the 2022/23 season.
He has played only for one team, that is, Peshawar Zalmi, and has managed to pick up just four wickets at an average of 28.25 and an economy-rate of 8.69. His best figures in PSL are 3/37.
#2 He was involved in a heated exchange with Abhishek Sharma
India and Pakistan clashed in the Men's Emerging Asia Cup 2024. India's Abhishek Sharma and Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem were involved in a heated exchange during the high-octane clash.
Muqeem dismissed Abhishek and gave the Indian batter a send-off by putting his finger on his lips. The Indian opener did not seem to like the send-off and went towards Sufiyan. Eventually, on-field umpires Chamara de Zoysa and Rahul Asher had to intervene to settle the argument.
#1 Muqeem has played for Pakistan A and Pakistan Shaheens in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup
In July 2023, Sufiyan Muqeem bagged three wickets from ten overs, giving away 66 runs in the final of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup as Pakistan A beat India A to win the tournament.
In October 2024, Sufiyan also represented Pakistan Shaheens at the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The Pakistan Shaheens made it to the semi-final but were beaten by Sri Lanka Aa.