Pakistan cricketer urges PCB to nurture talents like Hasnain, Akif after strong show in Champions One-Day Cup

Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has expressed his admiration for emerging pace talent Mohammad Hasnain, following the latter's impressive performance in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024. 

In a recent discussion on a local news channel, Shehzad highlighted Hasnain's determination and self-reliance during his rehabilitation after an injury, noting that the young pacer bore the costs of his recovery himself, raising concerns about the lack of support from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"Congratulations to Mohammad Hasnain. When he was injured, the PCB did not support him, and he handled his rehabilitation expenses himself. Wherever he went, he did everything on his own. He traveled to England and other places for treatment; all of this should have been managed by the PCB, especially for a player who has dedicated at least three years as a net bowler with the team," Shehzad remarked.

Despite a shaky start in the tournament, where Hasnain struggled with his bowling rhythm, Shehzad noted a significant improvement as the competition progressed. "In the first match, his bowling rhythm wasn't there, and his run-up was breaking at times. However, as the tournament progressed, not only did he take wickets, but he also bowled at a fast pace with a good rhythm," he said.

The opening batter further emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing talents like Hasnain, whose speed can reach up to 145 km/h. 

"I have always raised my voice for Mohammad Hasnain; personally, I like him. Whenever you have a fast bowler, you need to protect and take care of him; otherwise, he won't be around for long. The situation is the same now; you are searching for a bowler, and you don’t have one. He has shown his performance. Opportunities come when the time is right, so there is still a need to be cautious and protect bowlers like Mohammad Hasnain," he said.

In addition to Hasnain, the 32-year-old also praised Akif Javed for his exceptional bowling technique. 

"There was a time when Akif Javed started representing Pakistan; he was very close, and his performances were strong, especially in red-ball cricket where his pace had improved significantly. However, he may have gotten injured, which caused him to fall a bit off the radar for the Pakistan team, and the management that wanted to bring him in also changed. Now he seems to be back in rhythm and looking fast," he said.

He further compared Javed's style to legendary fast bowlers, stating, "He relies on sheer pace, similar to Jason Gillespie and Waqar Younis. If he gets the right opportunity, he can definitely contribute to the Pakistan team."