Pakistan speedster Mohammad Zeeshan claimed 6-19 in an under-19 Asia Cup game against Nepal in Dubai today (December 8), registering the second-best figures by a Pakistan player at men’s U-19 level.
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Zeeshan, who has so far played only one List A game in his career, claimed 6-19 in his team’s opening game of the under-19 Asia Cup. His performance helped to bowl Nepal out for 152 before Pakistan chased the runs down with 142 balls remaining. Zeeshan’s first wicket in the clash was that of Nepal skipper Dev Khanal, who was out for a 13-ball duck.
It was the sixth time a Pakistan youngster has picked up six wickets in a men’s under-19 ODI and second-best after Shaheen Shah Afridi, who picked up 6-15 against Ireland in 2018.
Who is Mohammad Zeeshan?
Born in Faisalabad, at 17-years-old Zeeshan stands tall at 6 foot 8 inches and started playing with a hard-ball only two years ago. He was picked as a travelling reserve for the ICC under-19 Men’s World Cup last year after an impressive showing in the National under-19 One Day Cup and the National under-19 Championship, which consisted of three-day games.
Zeeshan starred in the Pakistan Junior League last year, ending as the top wicket-taker, with 14 wickets at an average of 13.21 in eight games. He conceded 7.25 runs an over at a strike rate of 10.92, the best among bowlers with at least five wickets in the competition.
Following the competition, he made his Pakistan under-19 debut against Bangladesh and he picked up six wickets in three games. He also played a T20 against Bangladesh U19s, ending with 2-24 in his four overs.