Profile
In early 2000, Pakistan had one of the most devastating bowling units even by its standards with the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq dealing the opposition team a psychological blow even before the games had commenced. With such a serious pace battery at the helm, few would have bet on another Pakistani bowler breaking through the ranks let alone staking a claiming in the side.
But when a young Sami burst on the scene with 8 wickets on Test debut against New Zealand in 2001, it seemed that another pace sensation had announced his arrival on the big stage. The Karachi lad with his short run up and quick arm action was able to generate such sheer pace that he once clocked 164 kph on an unofficial speedometer. In only his 3rd test, he claimed a hat-trick and went on to repeat the feat against the West Indies in an ODI. His excellent performances against Zimbabwe and New Zealand earned him a place in Pakistan’s 2003 WC squad and despite not playing for a major part of the tournament went on to have a fine 2003 season. However with the retirements of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, the pacer found himself spearheading the attack, a title which made him uneasy. The pressure of performances got to him and despite being given numerous opportunities continued to remain a pale shadow of his former self. Finally in 2007 he was booted from the side after joining the rebel ICL but made a one off appearance in a Test against Australia in 2010 and also replaced an injured Umar Gul in the 2010 T20 WC but failed to make an impact.
Sami’s problem seems to be more mental than technical and unless he gets over it he won’t be able to perform to potential.
Fast Facts
- He is only the second Pakistani bowler to have taken hat-tricks in both Tests and ODIs.
- His 8-106 is also the second best bowling figures for a Pakistani debutant.
- His 5-10 is also the best figures for a Pakistani in ODIs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
- He also holds the record the Pakistan's highest ninth wicket partnership(73) with Shoaib Malik in ODIs.
- He was Pakistan's highest wicket taker in ODIs in the year 2003.
Statistics
Show:
| Matches | Innings | Runs | NO | Avg. | SR | 100's | 50's | HS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 35 | 54 | 475 | 14 | 11.87 | 30.52 | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| ODI | 83 | 46 | 314 | 19 | 11.62 | 64.08 | 0 | 0 | 46 |
| T20 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | - | 100 | 0 | 0 | 5* |
Career
Span:- Test:
- 2001-2010
- ODI:
- 2001-2007
- T20:
- 2010-2010
- Test
-
- Debut:
- Pakistan Vs New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland - Mar 08, 2001
- Last played:
- Pakistan Vs South Africa at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi - Nov 20, 2010
- ODI
- Debut:
- Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah - Apr 08, 2001
- Last played:
- Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi - May 20, 2007
- T20
- Debut:
- Pakistan Vs Bangladesh at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia - May 01, 2010
- Last played:
- Pakistan Vs New Zealand at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados - May 08, 2010
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