'Becoming like Imran Khan', Yasir Khan on his journey from street cricket to PSL

Pakistan cricketer, Yasir Khan’s cricketing journey is a remarkable story of perseverance and passion. From his early days playing street cricket to making a significant impact in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Yasir's career embodies dedication and ambition. Reflecting on his experiences, Yasir shared how his path has shaped his career and aspirations.

Starting in the most unassuming of places, Yasir Khan’s initial foray into cricket began in the streets. "I started my career in street cricket, then moved to an academy, and then to a club," he recounted. It was a journey fraught with challenges, but his commitment was unwavering. “It took a lot of time to reach this point,” Yasir acknowledged, emphasizing the effort and time invested in achieving his current standing.

His debut in the PSL was a significant milestone, starting with Peshawar Zalmi. “In the first season, when I played in the PSL, I was with Peshawar Zalmi, and Hashim Bhai (Hashim Amla) was there,” Yasir recalled. The presence of cricketing greats like Amla added to the excitement, but his most cherished experience came with another team. “The best experience was with Multan Sultans,” he reflected, highlighting how that period stood out in his career.

Playing under Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy was another highlight. Yasir found Rizwan’s leadership particularly inspiring. “I enjoyed playing under Rizwan’s captaincy the most,” he said. Rizwan’s approach and support were instrumental in Yasir’s performance during that time.

A significant influence on Yasir’s career has been his idol, Virat Kohli. “My idol is Virat Kohli,” Yasir said with admiration. The turning point in his career came when he watched Kohli’s performance in 2011. “I was a fast bowler before, but when I saw Virat playing in 2011, I was inspired and became a batsman,” Yasir explains. Kohli’s impact was so profound that Yasir shifted his focus from bowling to batting, a change that has defined his cricketing journey.

Despite facing setbacks, such as a shoulder injury that altered his career trajectory, Yasir’s determination remains steadfast. “I was a fast bowler but had an injury in one shoulder, so I became a batter,” he noted. This injury pushed him to adapt and excel in a new role. His ambition is clear: “I want to represent Pakistan in all three formats.” Yasir understands the challenges of selection, recognizing that performance doesn’t always guarantee a spot. “Even if you perform well in domestic cricket or the PSL, it doesn’t always guarantee a spot,” he admitted. He attributes some of these challenges to Allah’s will, underscoring the importance of patience and perseverance. “Every player knows that they are playing but not getting a place, but this also happens due to Allah’s will, so we should keep this in mind,” Yasir reflected.

To his supporters and aspiring cricketers, Yasir offered a message of hard work and belief. “Work hard. If Babar and Rizwan can do it, then we can too if we work hard and believe in ourselves. Only then will we achieve something,” he advises. He also emphasizes the significance of maintaining a strong relationship with Allah and serving one’s parents. “Build a relationship with Allah, serve your parents. I know that those who work hard are the ones who make it,” Yasir added.

Looking to the future, Yasir’s aspirations extend beyond his current achievements. If given the opportunity for captaincy, he aspires to emulate one of Pakistan’s legendary leaders. “If given a chance for captaincy, I would become like Imran Khan,” he asserted. His respect for Imran Khan’s leadership reflects his own ambitions. Yasir also shares his vision for a dream team, including some of his cricketing heroes. “If I were to form a dream team, I would include Virat Kohli, Rizwan, and Ahmed Shehzad,” he concluded.