Quetta Gladiators‘ bowling attack put them in a commanding position during the first innings of the 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL) final against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi on Sunday.
Having won the toss and elected to field, Safraz Ahmed’s side got off to a fine start as Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed early and they continued to take wickets at regular intervals as Peshawar struggled to a total of 138-8.
Youngster Mohammad Hasnain has been turning heads with his searing pace this season and impressed yet again.
Here, we take a closer look at the 18-year-old’s display.
STATISTICS
Overs: 4
Wickets: 3
Runs: 30
Economy: 7.50
Dot balls: 9
30-SECOND REPORT
Hasnain followed the example of the more experienced Sohail Tanvir who put the batsmen under pressure with a tight opening over. The youngster kept his line narrow, affording little room to manoeuvre. He made the early breakthrough for his side, getting rid of Imam-ul-Haq in his first over.
Sarfraz then decided to save the quick’s remaining quota for later on in the innings. He struck immediately once brought back into the attack for the 14th over, dismissing Umar Amin – who had been rebuilding Zalmi’s innings with a knock of 38 from 33 balls – with the first delivery.
Hasnain was proving a tough customer in the death overs and picked up the wicket of the dangerous Kieron Pollard, getting him out caught behind. A couple of streaky boundaries behind the wicket from Darren Sammy in his final over took some shine off the pacer’s figures of 3-30.
GOT RIGHT
Given his height and genuine pace, Hasnain is always going to generate a bit of bounce off the surface. It proved to be one of the main weapons in his arsenal and he utilised it to great effect.
A shorter delivery to Imam-ul-Haq beat the left-hander for bounce as he charged down the track to have a swing, only to make contact with the top edge and sky one to Ahmed Shehzad.
Two genuine bouncers then earned him his other wickets. First, Amin took the bait and went for the pull shot but Tanvir was waiting for the catch in the deep. Then, another one zipped off the wicket for Pollard who went for a wild swing but only registered the slightest of edges for Sarfraz.
OUT! Quick delivery from Mohammad Hasnain and Umar Amin is removed after scoring 38 runs. Peshawar Zalmi are 90/4 in the 14th over now
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) March 17, 2019
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GOT WRONG
When you bowl with the kind of pace Hasnain does, accuracy is key. A loose delivery can fly off the bat and onto the fence in the blink of an eye. The Quetta seamer was relatively disciplined but a few wayward balls were punished.
Akmal and Pollard hit him for four when he pitched wide outside the off-stump. His final delivery was a similar one and caught the edge from Sammy, racing to the ropes with third man inside the circle.
VERDICT – 8/10
He picked up some huge wickets and was a tad unfortunate not to end with better figures. The youngster has scope for improvement but will only get better and a display like this in the final is evidence of a good temperament.
