Ibtisam, a Pakistan star in the making
dubai — The emergence of Twenty20 leagues in the world has opened the doors of international cricket to the youngsters and Pakistan Super League is no exception. After producing players like Hassan Ali, Fahkar Zaman and Shadab Khan there’s another star — leg-spinner Ibtisam Sheikh - emerging after his good show for the Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing third edition of the tournament.
The 19-year-old Ibtisam was hired by Peshawar Zalmi in the emerging category and is destined to shine on the cricket horizon. Peshawar Zalmi coaches (Mohammad Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq hold high opinion about this youngster who hails from Hyderabad, the city that is yet to give a Test player to Pakistan.
But Ibtisam is determined to be the first from Hyderabad to don whites as he said: “My father and elder brother are doctors so obviously my family expected me to become a doctor or an engineer.”
The boyish-looking tweaker, however, wanted to become a cricketer. “I yearn to play Test cricket for Pakistan. I am aware that it is going to be tough to earn a Test cap since players like Yasir Shah and Shadab have cemented their place in the team,” he conceded. “But I believe in hard work and I am determined to achieve my goal,” he said with conviction.
“In the beginning I wanted to become a batsman but after watching Shane Warne bowling I chose to be a leg-spinner. He is my idol and I watch his videos to improve my game,” revealed Ibtisam, who had memorised the Holy Quran at the age of 12 and has just cleared his intermediate examination. “I want to carry on studies along with cricket.”
“Former Pakistan international player Mushtaq Ahmed has helped me a lot at the National Cricket Academy and now Saqlain Mushtaq is leaving no stone unturned to improve my skills,” the bespectacled genial spinner enthused. He was the top bowler in under 19 division but he failed to make it to the U-19 team for the World Cup. “It was disappointing for me not to find a place in the U-19 side but my coach Mama Shaukat Baloch gave me confidence by saying that nothing is lost and with the hard work and dedication I will be able to get my due.
“I was over the moon when I got the news of selection in Peshawar Zalmi in the emerging category. I want to grab this chance with both my hands and I am hopeful under the guidance of Mohammad Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq I will follow the footsteps of Hassan, Fakhar, Shadab and Mohammad Nawaz on way to the national team,” the diminutive bowler said.
Ibtisam has already got five wickets in the tournament and looks confident beyond his years. He has set his goals and wants to achieve them in a steadfast way. “My main job is the bowling but I want to improve my batting. I have yet to get a chance to show my batting skills but I am confident I will not disappoint my teammates. You need to be an allrounder to survive in the modern game. I will try my best to hone my fielding skills by putting in more hours of practice in it.”