Muhammad Irshad

It is rather ironic that, in an attempt to settle personal scores, some people without the slightest understanding of an individual’s skill set or professional grooming are attempting to cast controversy over the elevation of Shamyl Hussain to the Pakistan team. Their objections appear to stem primarily from the fact that his father did not subscribe to their philosophy or political ideals. Such reasoning is not only misplaced but also deeply inane. It is regrettable that personal grievances are being projected onto a young, hardworking, and conscientious cricketer who has progressed through the proper developmental pathways. If there are personal disagreements with his father, then those disputes should be addressed directly with him rather than maligning a player who has earned his place through merit. Selective presentation of evidence in an attempt to undermine or marginalise a player’s credentials is no longer a credible approach. We have followed Shamyl’s career trajectory since he was five years old. His passion for the game, his consistent hard work, and the maturity and cricketing awareness he has demonstrated at such a young age have all contributed to his emergence as a promising talent. Over the past two seasons, he has performed exceptionally well, and his game has evolved significantly. In 26 First-Class matches, Shamyl Hussain averages 45.88, with six centuries and nine half-centuries, including a highest score of 229. He has struck 262 fours and 44 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 77.17 even in the longer format of the game. In the recently concluded season alone, he amassed 899 runs at an average of 64.21 with a strike rate of 76.84. In the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy, he struck 19 sixes and 120 fours. During the 2024–25 season overall, he hit 213 fours reportedly the highest number of boundaries struck in First-Class cricket worldwide during that period. In 13 List A matches, he has accumulated 556 runs at an average of 46.33 and a strike rate of 100.80, including two centuries and three half-centuries, with 54 fours and 22 sixes. Among the fifteen players selected restricting the discussion solely to batsmen, Shamyl’s numbers stand out as the strongest. I will, however, set aside Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, and Hussain Talat from direct comparison; although their averages may be inferior to Shamyl’s in certain respects, their sample sizes are considerably larger. Sahibzada Farhan averages 44.82 in First-Class cricket and 41.80 in List A cricket, and it is somewhat ironic that he has yet to make his ODI debut for Pakistan despite performances that merit consideration. Maaz Sadaqat, another newcomer, averages 38.18 in First-Class cricket and 38.88 in List A cricket. Abdul Samad, primarily regarded as a T20 hitter, averages 13.00 in First-Class cricket and 35.42 in List A cricket. Ghazi Ghouri averages 20.00 in List A cricket and a healthy 41.26 in First-Class cricket. As he is a wicket-keeper, however, direct comparisons with Shamyl are not entirely appropriate, although it is worth noting that there have been other performers in the circuit who have produced stronger numbers in that specific role. Mohammad Rizwan averages 42.98 in First-Class cricket and 47.53 in List A cricket. Salman Ali Agha averages 39.27 in List A and 39.37 in First-Class cricket, while Hussain Talat averages 40.09 in First-Class and 41.10 in List A cricket. Faheem Ashraf, an all-rounder, averages 20.33 in First-Class and 29.94 in List A cricket. Saad Masood, though extremely talented, has an insufficient sample size having played only three List A matches & his selection for the Pakistan team at this stage may therefore be considered premature. It is time we cease directing unwarranted criticism toward a batter who has risen through the proper system and demonstrated both ability and consistency. @iRashidLatif68 @TalatHussain12 @KlasraRauf @ShahzadIqbalGEO