Rohail Nazir - Young wicket-keeper batsman from Islamabad [VIDEO #48]

[Abdullah719]

So this guy has been scoring a mountain of runs every time he plays. His age is listed at 15 or 16 in a few places but he's already playing Under-19 tournaments and topping the charts (currently one of the top-scorers in the U19 Inter-Region Tournament).

The first major tournament he played was the Pepsi PCB Cricket Stars Under-16s Tournament in 2016.

He made 367 runs in 4 matches at an average of 61 (made two hundreds, 156 and 120 - no fifties).

He was really first noticed when he was selected for the Pakistan Under-16 side to face Australia Under-16 in UAE.

1st One-Day match - 21 (27)
2nd One-Day match - 104 (122) - top-scorer
3rd One-Day match - 133 (136) out of a total of 242, next highest scorer in the whole match made 35.

He then top-scored in 2 of the 3 T20s against Australia U16 also with 37 (36) and 57 (47).

After that, he played in the Inter Region U-19 One Day Tournament 2017/18, scoring 406 runs in 8 games with one hundred and three fifties. He top scored for Islamabad in 5 out of 8 games they played.

51 (64)
73* (71)
30 (37)
91 (97)
110 (112)
27 (24)
23 (21)
1(2)

Good strike-rate in general. Despite some fairly low-scoring games, he never did tuk-tuk.

He's currently playing in the Inter Region U-19 Three Day Tournament 2017/18.

First match against DM Jamali: 89 out of a total of 143 and then 64* to take his side home. Top scorer in both innings by a huge margin.

Second match against Multan: 46 out of 292, Islamabad won by an innings. He took 7 catches in the second innings which appears to be some kind of a record (?) at U19 level.

Third match against Lahore Blues: 60 and 32. Top scorer in both innings in a low-scoring match.

Fourth match against Sialkot: 43 and 55 out of team totals of 202 and 200.

This tournament is still ongoing. He has 389 runs in four games and is the top-scorer.

Now I have never seen him bat and he could turn out to be a mixture of Fawad Alam and Awais Zia. But there's no doubt that he has an appetite for runs, and he mostly bats as an opener or #3. Islamabad also play many of their home games at the Diamond Cricket Ground which is not exactly known as a batting friendly venue. Great for him to be topping the charts in Under-19 cricket at such a (apparently) young age.

 

[Abdullah719]

Do you guys know anything about him [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION]?

 

[Major]

Have left club for 4 months. So no idea whats happening in the field these days

 

[ExpressPacer]

Do you guys know anything about him [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION]?

Yes. He actually used to be a good friend of mine when we has inter club matches. As far as his batting is concerned, he's very solid as a batsman and athletic behind the wickets but not a great catcher. He is at the very least 19 years old however but a good player of fast bowling.

I remember bowling to him in a match around 2 years ago and he had a different shot against every delivery. The age is extremely unreliable though. Never trust these listings

 

[Major]

Yes. He actually used to be a good friend of mine when we has inter club matches. As far as his batting is concerned, he's very solid as a batsman and athletic behind the wickets but not a great catcher. He is at the very least 19 years old however but a good player of fast bowling.

I remember bowling to him in a match around 2 years ago and he had a different shot against every delivery. The age is extremely unreliable though. Never trust these listings

True about the ages.

I know u19 guys who are touching the end part of the 20s

 

[Shabraz]

Count him guys I A he z next big thing in coming years

 

[hadi123]

Incredible stats. I first noticed him when I saw his scores in the youth matches against Australia. He's at least 10 years younger than Sarfraz Ahmed so he can be a long term replacement for him. He could be in the Pakistan team as a batsman in the next few years with Sarfraz still keeping as those batting stats are incredible, don't know how good his keeping is. I guess if his keeping is good then Sarfraz can field and Nazir can keep

 

[MMHS]

For a WK-batsman, even if he is 20 now, still the stats are indescribably good, provided that his body structure is good fit for WKeeping (which in short is 180 degree from Sarfraz). One doesn't need to be naturally gifted like Latif; but if the physical structure is perfect, Rixon can shape him into a better WK than Rizwan is now. In a year, the amount of improvement I can see in Rizwan's keeping, starting when he is probably in his late 20s, it's possible starting at teens, if Nazir's physical shape & capability is like Rizwan.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Yes. He actually used to be a good friend of mine when we has inter club matches. As far as his batting is concerned, he's very solid as a batsman and athletic behind the wickets but not a great catcher. He is at the very least 19 years old however but a good player of fast bowling.

I remember bowling to him in a match around 2 years ago and he had a different shot against every delivery. The age is extremely unreliable though. Never trust these listings

you would describe him as a modern batsman ?

 

[Bewal Express]

Yes. He actually used to be a good friend of mine when we has inter club matches. As far as his batting is concerned, he's very solid as a batsman and athletic behind the wickets but not a great catcher. He is at the very least 19 years old however but a good player of fast bowling.

I remember bowling to him in a match around 2 years ago and he had a different shot against every delivery. The age is extremely unreliable though. Never trust these listings

I recently spoke to a guy that knows Shadab and he says that Shadab is 22. Age at the higher level is mostly irrelevant but at the age groups, it makes a huge difference.

 

[ExpressPacer]

you would describe him as a modern batsman ?

Why not? His game is largely based on taking plenty of singles and doubles instead of going for the big shot more often than not unlike a generation of young batsmen who hold Afridi to be their batting hero and inspiration. And I like that. I last played against him two years ago and he was good. Obviously he's bound to have gotten better now.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Why not? His game is largely based on taking plenty of singles and doubles instead of going for the big shot more often than not unlike a generation of young batsmen who hold Afridi to be their batting hero and inspiration. And I like that. I last played against him two years ago and he was good. Obviously he's bound to have gotten better now.

true there is nothing wrong with that game plan.

Broadly speaking though the irony is that for one reason or another Pakistan now lacks clean hitters of the ball after having a reputation of having too many of them

Either way Nazir is the future not the present, will be interesting to see how he develops

 

[mak36]

Why not? His game is largely based on taking plenty of singles and doubles instead of going for the big shot more often than not unlike a generation of young batsmen who hold Afridi to be their batting hero and inspiration. And I like that. I last played against him two years ago and he was good. Obviously he's bound to have gotten better now.

Thanks for the info, bhai. Heard a lot about this guy, and I value your insight.

Good to hear he rotates the strike well. How is his boundary hitting?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Thanks for the info, bhai. Heard a lot about this guy, and I value your insight.

Good to hear he rotates the strike well. How is his boundary hitting?

Thank you, Mak.

As far as his boundary hitting is concerned, last time I played with him, he didn't have a huge frame and therefore, he lacked power, but understandably so considering he was only in his teens.

I last saw him around 6 months ago and he looked fitter and therefore, maybe he's improved his six hitting ability.

I've actually gone off the radar at club level. I started working for The Nation and only played matches at district level therefore I had no idea he'd seen so much success in the last year or so. Nonetheless, I've contacted my old friends at Diamond (club) and I'll have more to say about his current technique and game in a few days.

 

[Abdullah719]

Islamabad U19 were today set a target of 286 in the fourth innings but were bowled out for 149 in a match vs Karachi Whites U19... Here's the scorecard:

149-10 in 98.4 overs (Rohail Nazir 108, 15x4s, 2x6s, 243 balls, Manzoor-ul-Rehman 44, 7x4s, 87 balls, Inayat Ali 39, 6x4s, 85 balls, Mohammad Ali 6-60, Mohammad Tariq 2-61, Jahanzaib Sultan 2-32)

 

[Syed1]

Wait a minute in a team score of 149, young Rohail scored 108??? and the next guy scored 44. Doesn't make sense

 

[mak36]

Thank you, Mak.

As far as his boundary hitting is concerned, last time I played with him, he didn't have a huge frame and therefore, he lacked power, but understandably so considering he was only in his teens.

I last saw him around 6 months ago and he looked fitter and therefore, maybe he's improved his six hitting ability.

I've actually gone off the radar at club level. I started working for The Nation and only played matches at district level therefore I had no idea he'd seen so much success in the last year or so. Nonetheless, I've contacted my old friends at Diamond (club) and I'll have more to say about his current technique and game in a few days.

Thanks.

Congratulations on starting at The Nation. I wish you all the best in this endeavour, and it's good to hear you still have time to play some cricket.

I have just remembered that Nazir is part of Islamabad's squad for the national T20 Cup. He is the only keeper in the squad so he will definitely be playing, which should mean we get a better idea of his abilities at a domestic level. Unlike his previous outings, his age won't make much of a difference either so this will be a real test for him. I will be keeping a close eye on him, assuming of course Sethi actually manages to organise the tournament!

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION]- might be worth mentioning he will be playing for Islamabad in the OP.

 

[Abdullah719]

Wait a minute in a team score of 149, young Rohail scored 108??? and the next guy scored 44. Doesn't make sense

Oops

Probably a fail from PCB (that's where this scorecard came from). Must be 249.

 

[Abdullah719]

[MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION]- might be worth mentioning he will be playing for Islamabad in the OP.

Thanks, forgot all about that. If the National T20 Cup happens, that is...

 

[Leo23]

Wait a minute in a team score of 149, young Rohail scored 108??? and the next guy scored 44. Doesn't make sense

and inayat ali scored 39

but the team total was 149

 

[Leo23]

he needs to be picked up by islamabad united. time to give a chance of instead of grandpa haddin

we will see what he is made of once he starts playing in the psl

 

[Abdullah719]

Oops

Probably a fail from PCB (that's where this scorecard came from). Must be 249.

This means they fell short by just 37 runs. AFAIK this was a must-win game for Islamabad to advance to the next stage of the tournament.

 

[mak36]

Thanks, forgot all about that. If the National T20 Cup happens, that is...

No problem.

Yes, it's a bit of a mess at the moment.

 

[mak36]

he needs to be picked up by islamabad united. time to give a chance of instead of grandpa haddin

we will see what he is made of once he starts playing in the psl

Haddin was recently appointed Australia's fielding coach, so I doubt he will be playing PSL.

 

[Leo23]

Haddin was recently appointed Australia's fielding coach, so I doubt he will be playing PSL.

they have billings as well.

 

[mak36]

they have billings as well.

Yes, but you were talking about Haddin.

Re Billings, England have a t20 tri-series during PSL 3 so Billings might not be available.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Yes, but you were talking about Haddin.

Re Billings, England have a t20 tri-series during PSL 3 so Billings might not be available.

I wonder who will be available to play in the PSL? International schedule is jammed pack. This is probably why they haven't released the players list yet.

 

[Abdullah719]

KARACHI: Karachi Whites and Abbottabad won their respective pool fixtures on Sunday to seal remaining two berths in the triangular phase of the PCB U-19 Inter-region National Cricket Championship.

Karachi Whites overcame a defiant century from skipper Rohail Nazir to defeat Islamabad by 36 runs in the must-win Group ‘C’ clash between these two sides at the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala.

Islamabad had made solid progress after resuming the final day of the league-round action at 30-1 in pursuit of the challenging 286-run target and had advanced to 194-3 at one stage before the Karachi boys regained control by claiming the remaining seven wickets for 55 runs.

Rohail, however, stood out with 108, a 243-ball knock featuring 15 boundaries and one six.

Fast bowler Mohammad Ali Khan was Karachi’s hero with six wickets, including the prized-scalp of Rohail, for 60 runs in 30.4 overs as Islamabad were all out for 249 in their second innings.

Karachi Whites topped Group ‘C’ with 33 points to move into the triangular stage where Group ‘A’ winners Karachi Blues had already reached before the start of the last round of league matches.

KARACHI WHITES 150 in 48 overs (Sufyan Khan 48, Syed Amin 27, Mohammad Tariq 26; Zain-ul-Abedin 5-35, Danish Javed 3-10) and 245-6 declared in 43 overs (Ram Ravi 82, Mohammad Taha 71, Sufyan Khan 34 not out; Zain-ul-Abedin 4-94); ISLAMABAD 110 in 66.2 overs (Hasan Nasir 30, Haroon Wahid 28; Mohammad Tariq 4-19, Mohammad Makki 3-29) and 249 in 98.4 overs (Rohail Nazir 108, Manzoor-ur-Rehman 44, Inayat Ali 39; Mohammad Ali Khan 6-60, Jahanzeb Sultan 2-32, Mohammad Tariq 2-61).

https://www.dawn.com/news/1359779/k...-join-karachi-blues-for-u-19-triangular-phase

 

[Shabraz]

Prospects to b luked for
Zaid Khan Opener from Rwp
Omair Yousaf opener from Karachi
M. Arif Opener from Abt
Ashir Qureshi all-rounder from Karachi

Watch out for Umair Yousaf

 

[MMHS]

Next U19 WC is very crucial for 2 players & both are critical (their role) for PAK team in WC 2019. PAK squad will need a back-up WK, who is good with bat - at present best available incumbent is Umar Akmal, unfortunately. This kid Rohail can fit in the squad perfectly, if he has a great U19 WC in Jan 2018 - that gives him 16 months to make the WC Squad & more importantly couple of PSL to make a mark.

Next one is the need for a tall, fast bowler, who can hit the deck at pace, from height & preferably can tonk a bit with bat ................

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Next U19 WC is very crucial for 2 players & both are critical (their role) for PAK team in WC 2019. PAK squad will need a back-up WK, who is good with bat - at present best available incumbent is Umar Akmal, unfortunately. This kid Rohail can fit in the squad perfectly, if he has a great U19 WC in Jan 2018 - that gives him 16 months to make the WC Squad & more importantly couple of PSL to make a mark.

Next one is the need for a tall, fast bowler, who can hit the deck at pace, from height & preferably can tonk a bit with bat ................

We have some able batsman like Umar Siddiq who can keep but problem is all such wicketkeeper-batsmen are part time keepers and can't be trusted for 50 overs match. The ones who are decent behind stumps like Rizwan are not good batsmen. What I will be looking for mainly is how good Rohail is behind the stumps.

 

[mak36]

[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] it looks as though Rohail Nazir is playing for Rawalpindi in Lahore Qalandar's Rising Stars tournament. Is he in this group photo by any chance?

 

[ExpressPacer]

[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] it looks as though Rohail Nazir is playing for Rawalpindi in Lahore Qalandar's Rising Stars tournament. Is he in this group photo by any chance?

View attachment 76525

Yes! Bottom row, second from the right.

Another guy in this picture is Sajawal. We've played together our entire lives and he is one hell of a batsman to look out for.

 

[Suleiman]

Yes! Bottom row, second from the right.

Another guy in this picture is Sajawal. We've played together our entire lives and he is one hell of a batsman to look out for.

Man that must be some feeling. Seeing someone you've played with at club level prosper and reach new heights.

 

[ExpressPacer]

[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] it looks as though Rohail Nazir is playing for Rawalpindi in Lahore Qalandar's Rising Stars tournament. Is he in this group photo by any chance?

View attachment 76525

I have been trying to get in touch with him. For some reason, he doesn't answer his phone.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Man that must be some feeling. Seeing someone you've played with at club level prosper and reach new heights.

That's true man. A lot of these lads are actually my childhood friends that I've known for the longest time. Arsal Sheikh is there in the picture, Sajawal - an explosive batsman, Rohail and a couple of other guys. I'm really proud of them. I remember not too long ago when even Imad Wasim was a friend and always helped younger lads at the club. Seeing all these guys make it big makes me emotional.

 

[mak36]

Yes! Bottom row, second from the right.

Another guy in this picture is Sajawal. We've played together our entire lives and he is one hell of a batsman to look out for.

Thanks, I knew you would be able to help!

You have a good eye. Sajawal Riaz scored 58* yesterday and looked good- [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] posted his highlights here http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x624diu

Which one is Sajawal in the picture? Also, do you who is the top row, third from the left? I have seen him training with Saif Badar and LQ during the off-season but can't seem to place his face.

 

[Amirforpresident]

Thanks, I knew you would be able to help!

You have a good eye. Sajawal Riaz scored 58* yesterday and looked good- [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] posted his highlights here http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x624diu

Which one is Sajawal in the picture? Also, do you who is the top row, third from the left? I have seen him training with Saif Badar and LQ during the off-season but can't seem to place his face.

That's Arsal Sheikh isnt it?

 

[mak36]

That's Arsal Sheikh isnt it?

Yes, of course. No wonder my brain didn't want me to remember who it was.

 

[Boycottisno2]

Rohail Nazir in the middle

 

[ExpressPacer]

Thanks, I knew you would be able to help!

You have a good eye. Sajawal Riaz scored 58* yesterday and looked good- [MENTION=133760]Abdullah719[/MENTION] posted his highlights here http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x624diu

Which one is Sajawal in the picture? Also, do you who is the top row, third from the left? I have seen him training with Saif Badar and LQ during the off-season but can't seem to place his face.

Sajawal is bottom row, second from the left.

And no problem man. Always here to help. I had no idea this tournament was going on. Been really busy lately. Hoping these lads do good and get selected.

That is Arsal Sheikh, notorious on PP. We've actually been really good friends for 6 years now but it's true that he's an extremely average bowler. I was never an amazing batsman and he's only gotten my wicket once in hundreds of club matches.

 

[mak36]

Sajawal is bottom row, second from the left.

And no problem man. Always here to help. I had no idea this tournament was going on. Been really busy lately. Hoping these lads do good and get selected.

That is Arsal Sheikh, notorious on PP. We've actually been really good friends for 6 years now but it's true that he's an extremely average bowler. I was never an amazing batsman and he's only gotten my wicket once in hundreds of club matches.

Yes, Nazir hasn't had a chance to bat in either of his two games yet so hopefully he will get a chance in the next match.

Yes, I realised it was Arsal Sheikh afterwards. As I mentioned to one of the other posters, maybe that is why my brain didn't want me to remember who he was!

Do you miss club cricket?

 

[ExpressPacer]

Yes, Nazir hasn't had a chance to bat in either of his two games yet so hopefully he will get a chance in the next match.

Yes, I realised it was Arsal Sheikh afterwards. As I mentioned to one of the other posters, maybe that is why my brain didn't want me to remember who he was!

Do you miss club cricket?

I still play club cricket every now and then. Around 6 months ago, I played a couple of matches for the regional team but have been laying low for a while.

 

[MMHS]

View attachment 76530

Rohail Nazir in the middle

Perfect structure for WK - middle height, lean in structure but thick in bones (those palms must have tight grip), and looks like a little lower centre of gravity. Perfect shape to work on WK & kid definitely can bat.

 

[mak36]

I still play club cricket every now and then. Around 6 months ago, I played a couple of matches for the regional team but have been laying low for a while.

Fair enough, good to hear you are still playing when you get the chance.

Nazir has been treated very unfairly in this tournament so far- he is yet to bat.

 

[mak36]

Finally got a chance to bat today.

Scored 29 off 12 and played some very impressive strokes. Found the boundary with apparent ease, especially in the death overs.

Wasn't afraid to innovate and move around the crease. Looks a wily character, which is just as well given he is a keeper!

 

[Langau]

hopefuly he plays in PSL 3, he is the future.
rafay ahmed and gohar hafeez will also make it to the next level.

 

[Abdullah719]

Video of his knock yesterday. Pity that Rawalpindi didn't make it to the final.

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x63mmm2" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Hamza_]

The last shot was a bullet.

 

[Boi]

Kid looks good. Hope he gets a FC gig this season.

 

[mak36]

Video of his knock yesterday. Pity that Rawalpindi didn't make it to the final.

<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x63mmm2" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Should be on the plane to Australia, but I worry the fact he only got the chance to bat once means he will miss out.

From what I saw, he kept well throughout the tournament so that is in his favour.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Some brilliant shots there. I will keep a watch on him from now onwards.