Learn from the best
Imran Qayyum is keen to learn from the best during Kent’s T20 Blast campaign.
The 26-year-old left-arm spinner will be playing alongside Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi for the first 11 games of this year’s competition. Nabi has featured in major T20 tournaments around the world, including the Indian Premier League and the Big Bash. It represents a fantastic opportunity for Qayyum to develop his game alongside a leading spinner with 68 T20 international outings to his name.
“I had one training session with him (before the Somerset game) and just watching him I’ve learnt a lot,” said Qayyum.
“He’s an amazing bowler, he plays all the franchise T20 cricket so (it’s great) having him there, just talking to me, keeping me aware of what I need to do, what I don’t need to do, what the pitch is doing – that experience at extra cover really helped.”
Gone are the years when county cricketers would frown upon an overseas signing with the potential to take their place in the side.
Qayyum can only see positives from playing alongside Nabi. “There’s a lot to learn from someone like that,” added Qayyum, who produced careerbest figures of 5-21 against Somerset in Saturday night’s T20 opener at Canterbury. “When I heard we’re signing Nabi, I was quite happy because I get to spend time with potentially the best T20 spinner in the world. “He was just telling me about my pace, stay on it and stay focused – especially going into the last over.”
As for his five-wicket haul, Qayyum was as surprised as anyone else that he’d taken centre-stage in a star-studded Kent attack boosted by the signings of Adam Milne and Hardus Viljoen.
“I saw the ball grip a bit in the first innings so I thought if I could vary my pace then it could work,” said Qayyum.
“I think it’s just instinct. Everything changes in the game so fast, you just have to be on the ball.
“It’s a bit surreal to be honest. I had my plans and they worked, I’m grateful to God that they worked.
“The boys supported me as well with some very good catching, as Jordan Cox did in the deep, and Ollie Robinson’s quick thinking with the stumping. Everything just seemed to work.”