"I’ve lost a lot of time, but I feel my best days are to come" : Usama Mir

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Usama Mir was once regarded as the future of leg-spin in Pakistan, but a career-threatening back injury in 2016 drastically setback his progress. This year he was playing for Doncaster Town in the UK, before leaving for Pakistan to play in the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) for the Muzaffarabad Tigers franchise.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, he spoke about what he gained from playing Club Cricket in the UK this season, details of the injury that threatened to derail his career, why he has not been able to establish himself in the red-ball format and his hopes that good performances in the KPL could help him regain a place in a PSL side, which in turn could help him realise his ultimate goal of playing for Pakistan.



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PakPassion.net: Tell us about what you expected to gain by playing club cricket in the UK this season?

Usama Mir:
I came over to the UK this summer to play for Doncaster Town in the Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League and I feel that I learnt a lot from this experience. I feel that my batting improved during this stint and there was a marked improvement in my bowling temperament as well. My plan was to ensure that all weaknesses in my game that were hampering my progress would be taken care of during my time in the UK. For example, I was having trouble bowling googlies so I practiced to fix this issue and was able to implement those changes in game situations whilst in the UK. And I am glad that things did work out for me there as when I ended my stint, I was the highest wicket-taker with 50 wickets to my name out of which a high percentage of dismissals were based on my wrong'uns. I also played in other local leagues as well in Sunday tournaments where I came across some high-quality county players which has increased my confidence and God Willing, I will continue with that success here in Pakistan during the KPL.


PakPassion.net: Was your plan to stay for the whole season in the UK?

Usama Mir:
Yes, it was, but I had to cut my stint short due to my commitments with the KPL. However, the main aim was to work on my temperament and to figure out the best area to consistently bowl in so that I could get the maximum advantage. I am glad that I did spend time in the UK and worked on all these improvements, but I am also happy to be back in Pakistan and playing the KPL where I can hopefully apply all these changes.


PakPassion.net: There was a time when you were considered as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket - what went wrong?

Usama Mir:
I am also disappointed by this, but it was a career-threatening injury which caused damaged to my future plans. The compression of the sciatic nerve caused me to be bed-ridden for seven months and I underwent major rehab at the National Cricket Academy, but my condition didn't improve, and it was only after the intervention of Dr Zafar Iqbal in the UK that helped me to get to a point where I could stand up. However, for nearly 2 years after sustaining that injury my left leg was almost useless and I was still walking around with a limp and people wondered what had gone wrong, yet I kept on playing. But that is history as now, I feel that I am physically and mentally fit and God Willing I will put in my best effort to become the next big thing for Pakistan.


PakPassion.net: Was playing cricket through the course of this injury not a dangerous option?

Usama Mir:
Most back injuries to bowlers usually involve stress fractures but in my case it was the compression of the sciatic nerve which wasn’t that easy to diagnose. Initially, no one could figure out the issue and it was only during the time when I was praying whilst at Umrah that I felt the pain in a specific place, and once the MRI was done, they were able to pinpoint the problem in my L4 and L5 vertebrae. Once again, I am thankful to Dr Zafar Iqbal for his help in 2016 who arranged for my surgery after I had almost given up hope of ever recovering as many doctors and physiotherapists could not ascertain the reason for my pain. In fact, within 2 months of my surgery, I was able to participate in the PSL as if nothing had happened to me.


PakPassion.net: What’s the reason behind you not playing any List A games since 2018?

Usama Mir:
I feel it was simply a case of misfortune as when I joined the Northern side for the 2019/20 season, they had a total of six very accomplished spinners in their first and 2nd XI sides. So, we had the likes of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Imad Wasim in the first XI whilst Nauman Ali, Raza Hasan and I were part of the second XI. None of these spinners were likely to give up their place in the side which was different to other teams where there was some shuffling of combinations happening within the Twenty20 and One-Day sides. My chances of playing were very slim and that’s what happened that year. This year, my father fell ill, and I had to spend some time with my family and due to that I was side-lined, even though I was willing to play in One-Day games.


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PakPassion.net: You also missed out on PSL 6 which must have been a little disheartening?

Usama Mir:
PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament and recognized the world over as a top-quality league and the fact was that I didn’t have many games or performances under my belt to merit selection in any franchise tournament. I did not play enough cricket or have any performances of note that would have highlighted me as a good selection for PSL 6. To me this was the reason for being ignored from this year’s PSL. But all that is in the past. Now I am totally focussed on performing in the KPL to help me make a proper comeback in domestic cricket.


PakPassion.net: At 25 years of age, I guess it’s now time to start performing?

Usama Mir:
I am well aware of how time is moving on, and I have made plans to work towards the goal of playing as an all-rounder for Pakistan in the future. In this regard, I have been working on improving my power-hitting as I feel that this is the kind of skill that the national team needs. I am working hard on my hitting ability to make sure I improve on that aspect of my game and be able to play shots all around the ground. Similarly, I am looking to get rid of all weaknesses in my bowling, especially in the Twenty20 format. In the One-Day format, I am looking to improve my length by watching closely all the top spin bowlers, especially the likes of Rashid Khan and Imran Tahir from whom I can learn about the sorts of lengths they hit against good players and how they adjust their bowling based upon different conditions. I will look to implement all I have learnt for Muzaffarabad Tigers in the KPL, and people will hopefully see a different and mature Usama Mir playing in front of them.


PakPassion.net: Have you recently been considered for a training stint at the NHPC by the PCB?

Usama Mir:
Whilst it would have been a good experience for me, I have not been asked to come and train at the NPHC. There was some talk of playing in County Cricket and Leicestershire Head Coach Paul Nixon wanted to see me play but this did not happen due to my commitments at the KPL.


PakPassion.net: Do you draw inspiration from the way Usman Qadir has turned around his career to become a member of the Pakistan squad?

Usama Mir:
Of course, his example is a great one and shows the value of hard work and believing in oneself, but I also know that my character is one that never accepts defeat. Even when I was bed-ridden due to injury, I never considered giving up on my career which many would have done when faced with such adversity in life. I am continuing to work hard and will improve myself and also prove to others what I am capable of. Usman Qadir left Pakistan for Australia because he could not find a place in the national side but then came back, worked hard and is now a part of the national side which is an amazing and inspirational story for all of us. My plan is to follow his example and put in performances that will impress the selectors and will pave the way for a bright future for me as a Pakistan player.


PakPassion.net: To many of your critics, it appears that you are simply a white-ball specialist but are you also looking to make a name for yourself in First-class cricket as well?

Usama Mir:
That is a correct observation but, in my defence, let me say that I have done my utmost to perform in red-ball cricket. However, I have really struggled in this format and the reasons for that could be that captains I have played under have not utilized me and given me the kind of confidence a player needs to perform better. So, if one looks at my stint with SSGC in 2018/19 season, I was benched for 4 games then brought in for the next game, and then was benched again which was not consistent game time for me to improve in this format. Even when I was given a chance to play, I was just used for 4-5 overs in an innings. And God Forbid, if one or two balls went for runs which is something any leg-spinner like Shane Warne could have done as well, the captain would take me off and that would really shake my confidence in my own abilities. Of course, that also took away the interest and motivation in this format for me as I would hardly be playing 1-2 games in a season, and I would wonder what to do with my career in this case. No matter how much hard work you have done in the nets or in practice, you will only get the confidence to bowl well when that support comes from your captain, coach and teammates which wasn’t happening for me.


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PakPassion.net: It seems you are giving a lot of importance to playing at the KPL?

Usama Mir:
Given how I have been looking for an opportunity to play in top-level cricket, the KPL is a perfect chance for me to showcase my skills to the world. I am very happy to be part of this tournament which has an international feel to it, and I will be trying my best to prove my detractors wrong and to show everyone that I am still one of the best leg-spinners around. The hard work I have done and the bowling plans I have made ahead of this tournament will soon be visible to all who are watching this tournament and they will all, hopefully, be impressed by my performances at the KPL.


PakPassion.net: What does the future hold for you?

Usama Mir:
I feel that my future in Pakistan cricket will improve drastically if I can perform well in 1-2 tournaments like the KPL and PSL. If I can get these opportunities and avail those chances to show my good performances by taking wickets and improve my economy rate and most importantly, to single-handedly become a match-winner for my teams with some good all-round displays then it will be mission accomplished for me. Hopefully, once I do well and people start talking about me and praising my game, then better days will follow for me. It’s a step-by-step process and at the moment, my current focus is on the KPL where I intend to bowl at my best so that I am noticed by all and am then picked again for the upcoming edition of the PSL. If I can then do well at the PSL, then that will increase my chances of being included in the national side, which is my ultimate goal. I’ve lost a lot of time, but I feel my best days are to come.
 
Sciatica is the most common nerve compression injury especially L4 and L5. Don't know why the doctors couldn't identify that here. But yes good neurosurgeons are rare in Pak.
 
3 wickets for 18 in 4 overs today in KPL.
 
Dr Zafar Iqbal’s role seems to be pivotal in reviving his career. I think I have heard his name before as well with regards to Pakistani cricketers. Definitely Dr Zafar should be a regular part of the medical panel of consultants in PCB if he isn’t already
 
I think he can bat as well , has decent technique
 
Dr Zafar Iqbal’s role seems to be pivotal in reviving his career. I think I have heard his name before as well with regards to Pakistani cricketers. Definitely Dr Zafar should be a regular part of the medical panel of consultants in PCB if he isn’t already

He's saved more careers than the whole of the PCB medics put together.
 
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The prize wicket of Lala at KPL.
 
Just watching him now. he looks pretty good. If he has improved his batting which he actually showed in last game then he is ahead of Shadab Khan for me. Yasir is finished
 
So he ended up with 7 wickets in 6 games in KPL - am sure wanted to do better than that.
 
Disappointing time for Usama Mir as he was asked to come to the trials but did not make it to the final squad list.
 
Not selected for any of the domestic teams for the 2021/22 season.
 
We must have some top quality spinners coming through if Usama Mir can’t get into a domestic team. Or maybe most of the players that are getting picked have some sort of connections.
 
I'm disappointed that he isn't still selected in any of the Squads not even 2nd XI, he was best Legspinner in KPL amd has been best leggie in PSL in Past took big wickets.
 
He's been signed by Southern Punjab as a replacement player in the National T20 Cup.
 
He's been signed by Southern Punjab as a replacement player in the National T20 Cup.

The Question is that why isn't he playing or he is just there for Lahore Leg of tournament, he isn't in FC should have send him with Pakistan Shaheens.
 
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What a catch!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WOW &#55357;&#56881;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KingdomValleyKPL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KingdomValleyKPL</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KheloAazadiSe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KheloAazadiSe</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JJvOW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JJvOW</a> <a href="https://t.co/mSZfiuULz6">pic.twitter.com/mSZfiuULz6</a></p>— Kashmir Premier League (@kpl_20) <a href="https://twitter.com/kpl_20/status/1559149992643813376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Sciatica is the most common nerve compression injury especially L4 and L5. Don't know why the doctors couldn't identify that here. But yes good neurosurgeons are rare in Pak.


I have the same back issue since very (13/14 yrs) young age, countless Xray's did not show any issues until 2006, in my late 30s I was sent for a MRI and only then diagnosed with prolapsed disc's L4L5.

I have had 2 surgeries Microdiscectomy, and am still able to walk unaided now in my 50s

A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes part of the intervertebral disc. This is performed on the portion of a herniated disc that is compressing the nerves which causes a lot of pain. As discs degenerate, they can bulge, herniate, and lose disc height between the vertebrae. This degeneration process normally does not stop after a microdiscectomy is performed, so it’s common to experience more herniations and further collapsing of the disc. A microdiscectomy can help by relieving the pressure on the nerves, but it cannot restore the original disc height. With the loss of disc height, it’s common for the facet joints to become stressed and with this stress it can eventually develop Facet Joint Hypertrophy. To restore the original disc height and relieve pressure on the facets, surgeons can sometimes perform a full discectomy and install an Artificial Disc

To be fair I didn't help myself while continuing to play cricket (no understand of warming up exercises etc)


Eventually tennis elbow in my bowling arm forced me to completely walk away from cricket, ( not that I was any good )
 
I have the same back issue since very (13/14 yrs) young age, countless Xray's did not show any issues until 2006, in my late 30s I was sent for a MRI and only then diagnosed with prolapsed disc's L4L5.

I have had 2 surgeries Microdiscectomy, and am still able to walk unaided now in my 50s

A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes part of the intervertebral disc. This is performed on the portion of a herniated disc that is compressing the nerves which causes a lot of pain. As discs degenerate, they can bulge, herniate, and lose disc height between the vertebrae. This degeneration process normally does not stop after a microdiscectomy is performed, so it’s common to experience more herniations and further collapsing of the disc. A microdiscectomy can help by relieving the pressure on the nerves, but it cannot restore the original disc height. With the loss of disc height, it’s common for the facet joints to become stressed and with this stress it can eventually develop Facet Joint Hypertrophy. To restore the original disc height and relieve pressure on the facets, surgeons can sometimes perform a full discectomy and install an Artificial Disc

To be fair I didn't help myself while continuing to play cricket (no understand of warming up exercises etc)


Eventually tennis elbow in my bowling arm forced me to completely walk away from cricket, ( not that I was any good )

Xrays are pretty much obsolete in diagnosing disc prolapse/herniation unless the disc is literally shattered.

MRI is the way to go about it to diagnose it. Good sensitivity and specificity.
 
6-91 against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Round 3 of the QEA22

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6-91 against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Round 3 of the QEA22

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Central Punjab’s right-arm spinner Usama Mir recorded career best figures of 28.4-8-91-6 to spin out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 220 in 77.4 overs at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
 
no disrespect to the lad but the standard of batting is shocking, getting out on reverse sweeps to full tosses?
 
Central Punjab’s right-arm spinner Usama Mir recorded career best figures of 28.4-8-91-6 to spin out Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 220 in 77.4 overs at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Wow, that is some pretty woeful batting. Shows the quality of batsmen in our first class cricket.
 
His career never really took off did it.

Showed promise early on and was highly rated, but then some injury issues hampered his progress.
 
Central Punjab’s convincing 113 runs victory was built around Usama Mir’s all-round performance today.

After Ahmed Shehzad (71, 91b, 9x4) and Qasim Akram (58, 62b, 5x4, 1x6) helped Central Punjab to score 315 for eight, Usama Mir registered figures of 9-1-45-5 to bowl Khyber Pakhtunkhwa out for 202 in 39.1 overs that revolved around Iftikhar Ahmed’s 66 and Fakhar Zaman’s 52. Usama had earlier scored 29 from 15 balls with a four and three sixes.
 
Currently bowling CP to victory in Pakistan Cup SF1 vs SP

3 wickets so far and good ones.
 
Ends up with a match-winning 5/23 as CP defeat SP by 82 runs in 1st SF of Pakistan Cup
 
An incredible display of leg-spin bowling from Usama Mir took Central Punjab to the final of the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 with a thumping 82-run win over Southern Punjab at the State Bank Stadium.

Usama, who became the leading wicket-taker of the tournament in the process, took five wickets for only 23 runs in 5.1 overs with one of them being a maiden.

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Good to see him have some performances behind him. After the first couple of PSL's, he kind of gotten forgotten.

A good or potentially more improved version of Usama Mir would make a decent back-up to Shadab Khan in LOIs.
 
He has been pretty incredible and consistent in this tournament and has turned some very big leggie's.
 
Best Bowler of the Pakistan Cup: Usama Mir (Central Punjab); 28 wickets
 
He will become a serious bowler if he can turn his leg spinner on a consistent basis

Ever since I first saw him, I had huge hopes from him as he always spun his leg-spinner. But then a combination of injuries and not being backed enough by his department/region resulted in him losing confidence in his abilities and he was nowhere to be seen until a resurgence with CP last season.

I think his biggest nemesis is his lack of control. Also, whenever I see him, I don't get to see any drift or drop which peak Yasir Shah used to get regularly. I think that deficiency could be due to the speeds he bowls at; he is quick through the air and very rarely bowls 'em slowly. That dip and drift is however secondary in importance to control of line and length. He has to keep working on his shortcomings, and hopefully these solid OD cup numbers mean that he gets to play full season of four-day cricket.

The teams don't give a long rope to leg-spinners if they are leaking too many runs, so he has to ensure that his control doesn't let him down from now on.

Well done to him for topping the wickets charts in the Pakistan Cup.
 
Earns a maiden call up for the NZ ODI's
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So many messages and warm wishes. I wish I could thank you all but it is so difficult. One of the best days of my life. And the second will be when I wear the green shirt♥️ thank you everyone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvNZ</a></p>— Usama Mir (@iamusamamir) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamusamamir/status/1611022720887562240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So many messages and warm wishes. I wish I could thank you all but it is so difficult. One of the best days of my life. And the second will be when I wear the green shirt♥️ thank you everyone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvNZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvNZ</a></p>— Usama Mir (@iamusamamir) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamusamamir/status/1611022720887562240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The lad has absolutely been through the wars to get here. I really hope he plays inshAllah and does incredibly well inshAllah as well.

Pak need an alternative to Shaddy, and also an alternative to Abrar in tests. I really hope that Usama is it.
 
He will definitely be picked in the xi now that shadab is injured.
 
Ever since I first saw him, I had huge hopes from him as he always spun his leg-spinner. But then a combination of injuries and not being backed enough by his department/region resulted in him losing confidence in his abilities and he was nowhere to be seen until a resurgence with CP last season.

I think his biggest nemesis is his lack of control. Also, whenever I see him, I don't get to see any drift or drop which peak Yasir Shah used to get regularly. I think that deficiency could be due to the speeds he bowls at; he is quick through the air and very rarely bowls 'em slowly. That dip and drift is however secondary in importance to control of line and length. He has to keep working on his shortcomings, and hopefully these solid OD cup numbers mean that he gets to play full season of four-day cricket.

The teams don't give a long rope to leg-spinners if they are leaking too many runs, so he has to ensure that his control doesn't let him down from now on.

Well done to him for topping the wickets charts in the Pakistan Cup.

Good analysis. His lack of control and offer of 'hit me' balls is why his name never featured in the past as Usama has played plenty of cricket already. He should be a wicket taking option in the middle overs, but he might struggle to avoid phainty if he gets under pressure.

Let's hope a strong Pakistan cup is evidence that he has improved on these prior weaknesses. Good luck to him.
 
3/22 in 4 overs - match-winning performance from Usama for Multan Sultans vs PZ
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Rizwan "Usama Mir in all 3 of our matches so far has stopped the momentum of the opposition. He is giving us so much confidence. I have so much faith in Usama that if I brought him on for even the 18th over he'd bowl a good over and take a wicket" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL8?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSvPZ?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSvPZ</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1626632516789469203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Easily the best LOI spinner in Pakistan cricket at the moment. Gets the ball to turn and bounce at an awkward length.
 
His bowling action reminds of Adil Rashid. He has very good control and is a great back up for Shadab Khan
 
His bowling action reminds of Adil Rashid. He has very good control and is a great back up for Shadab Khan

I think there may be room for both of them in India depending on how he gets on. Usama can bat a bit too so he may be able replace Nawaz who hasn't really sealed his spot in the national side yet.

It'd be an aggressive option to have two leggies but Usama has shown massive improvements in his control lately.
 
most improved player from last year's PSL hope he can cement his place in front of Nawaz who apart from fielding isn't good at anything.
 
I think there may be room for both of them in India depending on how he gets on. Usama can bat a bit too so he may be able replace Nawaz who hasn't really sealed his spot in the national side yet.

It'd be an aggressive option to have two leggies but Usama has shown massive improvements in his control lately.

All three can play simultaneously. Three pacers + 3 spinners with batting ability is a good combination
 
I would not pick him ahead of Shadab or Nawaz but he should definitely be in the squad if he continues to take wickets.
 
I think there may be room for both of them in India depending on how he gets on. Usama can bat a bit too so he may be able replace Nawaz who hasn't really sealed his spot in the national side yet.

It'd be an aggressive option to have two leggies but Usama has shown massive improvements in his control lately.

Not a bad idea on Indian wickets
 
Good bowler but we have known this for some time. Travesty that Usman Qadir was in the team at his expense.
 
Usama Mir speaking in an interview after playing a stunning 66 off just 20 balls knock for Ghani Institute of Cricket (GIC) against Karachi Warriors in the Ghani Ramzan Tournament 2023.


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The right-handed batsman sailed all over the park in the aforementioned match and smashed 34 runs in an over, which included five sixes and a four.

"Everyone knows that this is my batting style, and I often bat like this. However, it can be said that yesterday was my day. They kept bowling in my respective slot, and I kept playing it. Luckily, all of them went for sixes"

"As a cricketer, when your aim is high, you have to meet the international caliber. Therefore, I try to meet the requirements of international cricket. I am trying to be the best in all the departments, whether it is batting, bowling, or fielding"

"I hope, or at least I aspire to perform to my utmost capacity and deliver my level best on the field for all the upcoming matches, leagues, and tournaments"
 
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Usama Mir speaking in an interview after playing a stunning 66 off just 20 balls knock for Ghani Institute of Cricket (GIC) against Karachi Warriors in the Ghani Ramzan Tournament 2023.


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The right-handed batsman sailed all over the park in the aforementioned match and smashed 34 runs in an over, which included five sixes and a four.

"Everyone knows that this is my batting style, and I often bat like this. However, it can be said that yesterday was my day. They kept bowling in my respective slot, and I kept playing it. Luckily, all of them went for sixes"

"As a cricketer, when your aim is high, you have to meet the international caliber. Therefore, I try to meet the requirements of international cricket. I am trying to be the best in all the departments, whether it is batting, bowling, or fielding"

"I hope, or at least I aspire to perform to my utmost capacity and deliver my level best on the field for all the upcoming matches, leagues, and tournaments"

I like Usama, and given his work ethic and use to the side, I’m happy to see him continue to perform.

However, the shots here are the warning signs of what departmental cricket will be like. Where an Usama Mir starts playing like Pollard.
 
He should be our frontline spinner now. Deserves his chances and the only shining spark in the spin department.
 
A well-deserved selection for Usama Mir, once again part of the ODI Squad and with his PSL work behind him, should be given a chance to play.
 
Better bowler than Shadab, but knowing he is Vice-captain and both are leg spinners, Usama Mir won't get many chances.
 
Usama Mir should be in the T20 squad. He outperformed Shadab in wickets taken, average and economy rate. He turns his legbreak more than Shadab.
 
Better bowler than Shadab, but knowing he is Vice-captain and both are leg spinners, Usama Mir won't get many chances.

Usama is the better bowler and Shadab the better batter.

Usama needs to be tried in red ball.
 
Should definitely be given some games against New Zealand in odis.
 
This lad deserves a chance.

Give him some game time, give him opportunities and let's see what he can do.
 
This lad deserves a chance.

Give him some game time, give him opportunities and let's see what he can do.

Absolutely. that’s why I think it’s reasonable to play both Shadab and Usama in the same side. Haris Sohail can contribute as the left arm option, whilst Agha Salman can be the offie, if we need extra finger spin options to complement Shadab and Usama.
 
Another victim of PCB merry go round policy, picked given a game or two then dropped then picked given a game or two then dropped then rested due to technical purpose and thrown in wilderness
 
Surprised he wasn't picked in the T20 squad. He's a sure starter for ODI WC though
 
Has Usama Mir on his comeback been better than Shadab Khan?
 
I don’t care who you need to drop but this chap needs to be in the ODI XI

I have been backing him since the last PSL

Both Shadab & Usama find a place in my first choice XI
 
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I don’t care who you need to drop but this chap needs to be in the ODI XI

I have been backing him since the last PSL

Both Shadab & Usama find a place in my first choice XI

Me too. I don't think we need Nawaz. Usama and Shadab could be pretty lethal together in India.

Imam
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Salman Agha
Chacha
Shadab
Usama Mir
Shaheen
Naseem
Rauf

Is my first choice XI.
 
That's why Shadab, Nawaz, Imad, Agha are not suited to leading the spin attack. It has to be led by a genuine spinner.

Usama as the main one and Shadab/Salman supporting.
 
Usama has improved as a bowler in the last 2 years. He should be in all our teams. He should be in the test team as well. Not often you find a tall leg spinner.
 
Tidy spell today and seems to be gaining confidence.

However a word of caution, this NZ team is absolutely clueless against Leg-spin.
 
I've been sick and tired of seeing us play spin bowling ARs who barely spin the ball for the last 6-7 years in LOIs.

Finally we've got a proper specialist spinner who shouldn't just be on the plane to India but starting some matches for us too.
 
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