Left-arm pacer Usman Khan idolises a former Pakistan fast bowler

Young Pakistan speedster Usman Khan has played just nine ODIs for his country so far but has picked a five-wicket haul already. The fast bowler, who is currently in South Africa to participate in the five-match ODI, recently revealed his idol and said he tried to emulate him every time he goes out to play a game.

The 25-year-old hasn’t got enough opportunity for Pakistan even though he made his international debut in 2013 in a T20I against Sri Lanka. He has 13 scalps in the shortest format besides 18 in the 50-over version and last played for the Men in Green in a T20I against New Zealand in November. Shinwari, however, has been included in the ODI squad for the upcoming five-match away series against South Africa as part of Pakistan’s final preparations for the World Cup due in May.

“If there is one bowler who I consider my role model, then that is Shoaib Akhtar. I especially loved the way he could bowl at such quick speeds and take wickets, and that is what I am also trying to do every time I come in to bowl,” the left-arm fast bowler Shinwari was quoted by PakPassion.net as saying.

Decent BBL stint

Usman Khan, who has taken eight wickets in seven matches in the BBL this season with the best figure of 3 for 16 against Brisbane Heat while playing for the Melbourne Renegades, also bowled the fastest ball of the league against Melbourne Stars and said he felt he was in a good rhythm.

“In the game against Melbourne Stars, I was able to bowl that 151 km/h delivery as I was feeling that my rhythm was very good. Throughout that spell, I was saying to myself to bowl at the fastest speed I could and thankfully that worked and I produced that really quick delivery,” he said.

Shinwari’s form will give Pakistan a much-needed relief ahead of the World Cup. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed recently said after the Test series loss in SA that he was not happy with the pace of his bowlers and Shinwari could give him some solace.

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