PSL 2018: Pace sensation Salman Irshad eyeing to don national colours

Promising young speedster Salman Irshad while overwhelming odds has set an international dream.

Irshad turned a great find of the former Pakistan bowler Aaqib Javed, who serves as the head coach of Lahore Qalandars.

Interestingly, Irshad was picked through the talent hunt programme before he was sent to training in Australia.

“No one has conducted any talent hunt programme in Kashmir before. The management sent me to Australia for further training and matches,” Irshad told Geo.tv.

The 22-year-old bowler Irshad got inducted into Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Qalandars. It’s pertinent to mention the well-built bowler had left a significant impact in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

However, while playing his first edition of the lucrative Twenty20 league, Irshad is aiming to represent Pakistan within next 12 months.

“Even those who don’t watch cricket must have seen it,” Irshad asserted.

The impressive bowler is confident to make it big in the top-flight cricket. However, he has to play plenty of domestic cricket to impress the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selectors.

According to Geo, Irshad has set his primary focus on fitness as he is looking to break into the national fold before 2019 World Cup.

What a debut for Salman Irshad in the domestic professional T20 league!

The lanky-pacer Irshad had a terrific debut on March 2 against Misbah-Ul-Haq-led Islamabad United.

Qalandars’ skipper Brendon McCullum introduced Irshad in the ninth over of United’s innings. The ball found the outside edge off Misbah’s bat before commentators including Michael Slater termed him as ‘little bit Lasith Malinga.’

However, Qalandars had so far lost all four games after a thrilling super over clash against United. Irshad also belted a six while facing the first delivery which kept Qalandars into the hunt.

Irshad gave away 19 runs to finish the first match with a solitary wicket.

OUT! 8.1 Salman Irshad to Misbah-ul-Haq
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/ppEzSxzUv8#IUvLQ #HBLPSL #Cricingif #PSL2018 pic.twitter.com/8V1lHRDnzz

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 2, 2018

Impressed by the ability of Irshad, Javed remarked the former has a long way to go. He further added the player has a potential to play for Pakistan in the top-flight cricket.

Earlier, Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar has urged to train Irshad. The veteran bowler also made a bold claim by saying the young bowler is capable of breaking the 100 miles barrier with the ball.

While considering the national team, Irshad had already expressed the delight fo. He was over the moon after joining Qalandars’ camp during the ongoing third edition.

Here’s the newsfeed:

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