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"Test camp call-up is a reward for the hard work I have been putting in" : Mir Hamza

Abdullah719

T20I Captain
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KARACHI: Since the legendary Wasim Akram’s golden era, Pakistan seldom have been in dearth of quality left-arm pace bowlers. Mohammad Amir is now carrying the bastion as the country’s spearhead in international cricket while there have been several upcoming youngsters who are striving to make the grade.

Mir Hamza is the latest to hit the straps and his call up as one of 18 probables by the National Selection Committee, headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq, for the training camp in Lahore for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is viewed as a move in the right direction as Pakistan aim to start a new chapter following the departure of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.

Hamza, in an exclusive interview with Dawn on Sunday, expressed his sheer delight upon learning about his inclusion for the conditioning camp, which begins at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy from Tuesday.

“At this point in time I’ve no words, really, to say except that Allah Almighty has been extremely kind to me. The selectors obviously know better when they thought of me as one of the group [for the camp]. But for me, I would say it is a reward for the hard work I have been putting in to become what I’m now,” Hamza said.

Hamza is a product of the famous Karachi local side Pakistan Cricket Club, which has provided the national senior team several other top-class cricketers including current Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed and Test batsman Asad Shafiq to name a few.

“I have to give credit to the club that gave me the initial break when I took up playing at a level. Azam Khan [man behind unearthing new talent] has been wonderful and treats me like his own kid. Hs guidance and that club owner Nadeem Omar is one reason why I chose to play for them rather than try my luck elsewhere,” Hamza said.

Since making his debut at first-level for Karachi Whites against Lahore Shalimar at Karachi in December 2012, Hamza, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Sept 25, has made rapid strides to have an impressive tally of 216 wickets in just 46 matches at a commendable average of 19.15 an a strike rate of 41 balls per scalp.

Hamza, who plays for United Bank Limited, has his fair share of injuries but says that is all behind him.

“Like most fast bowlers I suffered on numerous occasions. But thanks to the untiring work put in by the physios and trainers, I have this ‘feel-good’ vibe these days. I had a good time during the high performance camp in Lahore during the summer where Mickey Arthur [Pakistan head coach] also saw me trying to improve my skills,” he said.

Hamza further revealed that he always wanted to be a cricketer and used to admire a lot of players.

“There was never a doubt in my mind that cricket would be my profession although I have a bachelor degree in mass communication and plans to do masters in public administration when time permits in the future, Hamza, who comes come a highly-educated family, pointed out.

Talking of his growth as a cricketer, Hamza believes he is destined to play at the highest level. “Oh definitely that is my ultimate dream to wear the exclusive green cap one day and be proud of it for the rest of my life.

“To come this far is something to cherish and if one continues to perform consistently then there is no reason of being ignored or not get a proper opportunity [to play] for the country,” he emphasised. “Nobody can predict what the future holds for you but hard work always pays and that’s my motto.”

Hamza already had some taste of international during several outings with Pakistan ‘A’ teams and fondly recalls a tour match against England in the UAE in October in 2015.

“It was actually a two-day practice match ahead of the Test series. But I had a great time since I not only claimed the wicket of Moeen Ali but later also dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Josh Buttler on successive deliveries. That is one of the highlights of my career so far,” Hamza concluded.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1358316/mir-hamza-over-the-moon-after-test-camp-call-up
 
I personally believe he has a much higher ceiling than Ruman and would outbowl him if given the opportunity. And this is coming from a guy who loves Ruman as a bowler.
 
Yet another example of the selectors favouring the more educated option.
 
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I personally believe he has a much higher ceiling than Ruman and would outbowl him if given the opportunity. And this is coming from a guy who loves Ruman as a bowler.

I actually believe the same.

Especially in first class
 
Yet another example of the selectors favouring the more educated option.

Educated cricketers have usually done well for Pakistan. Be it from the days of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram to Saeed Anwar, Misbah or even your personal favorite, Salman Butt.
 
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Pathetic bowler. I've seen him live, in the PSL and domestic competitions and I fail to understand what everyone, from selectors to fans see in him. Calling him a trundler would be an overstatement. The guy struggles to bowl over 128 KPH and movement (if there is any) under those speeds is easy to play.
 
Pathetic bowler. I've seen him live, in the PSL and domestic competitions and I fail to understand what everyone, from selectors to fans see in him. Calling him a trundler would be an overstatement. The guy struggles to bowl over 128 KPH and movement (if there is any) under those speeds is easy to play.

He has good control over his swing and can do it both ways

Also gets good lift

He gets phaintys on flat tracks in limited overs cricket but that doesnt take away from the high level of his skill level compared to contemporaries.
 
Pathetic bowler. I've seen him live, in the PSL and domestic competitions and I fail to understand what everyone, from selectors to fans see in him. Calling him a trundler would be an overstatement. The guy struggles to bowl over 128 KPH and movement (if there is any) under those speeds is easy to play.

I saw him at PSL too. His attitude was appalling.
 
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over rated just like shinwari

very ordinary

Are you for real? Shinwari is leagues ahead of this trundler. Shinwari actually has the pace and swing in him to replace Junaid Khan and eventually become a challenge to the better bowlers in our team, like Hasan and Amir.

Shinwari has everything, all he needs is to be given confidence and games. Swing, seam, pace, yorkers and variation. The only thing he lacks as of now is control but I expect him to learn soon. Hopefully he's selected for the ODI's versus Sri Lanka.
 
Mat - 46
Inns - 85
Balls - 8786
Wkts - 216
BBI - 7/59
BBM - 11/104
Ave - 19.15
SR- 40.6
4w - 8
5w - 20
10w - 4


I haven't seen this guy bowl or field - so i don't know about his Speed, or his Attitude that some posters are talking about here.

However, these FC stats are very impressive.

The guy has taken 4wk or more 28 times in 85 innings....thats a whopping 33% ...i.e. once every three innings, he takes 4wks or more.


============================================================

Comparing to one of my favourite bowler in the current PCT: Hassan Ali's FC stats:

Mat - 29
Inns - 47
Wkts - 128
BBI - 8/107
BBM - 11/94
Ave - 24.61
SR- 43.5
4w - 6
5w - 8
10w - 2

He has a better avg & SR than Hassan Ali....
Hassan Ali takes 4wk or more 30% of the times (Almost same as Mir Hamza)

============================================

Comparing to Shinwari:

Mat - 16
Inns - 29
Wkts - 60
BBI - 6/66
BBM - 7/92
Ave - 26.55
SR- 46.6
4w - 5
5w - 1
10w - 0

Mir Hamza clearly has better stats than Shinwari....(Avg & SR)
Also: Takes 4wks or more 21% of the times only...

====================================
 
Pathetic bowler. I've seen him live, in the PSL and domestic competitions and I fail to understand what everyone, from selectors to fans see in him. Calling him a trundler would be an overstatement. The guy struggles to bowl over 128 KPH and movement (if there is any) under those speeds is easy to play.

I agree that he probably should not be selected as a fast bowler, we can definitely do better in terms of pace and quality. However, I was recently watching Irfan Pathan's first over hat trick against Pakistan. I believe he clocked speeds of 72-77 mph on all three deliveries, two of the guys he troubled were two of the best batsmen in Pakistan's history. I think movement as long as the ball is pitched in the right areas can be lethal even at that pace
 
He hasn't even debuted yet cut him some slack. I'm pretty sure he bowls between 130 and 135, plus he gets good movement on the ball. I think he can be useful in foreign conditions like England and South Africa.
 
I agree that he probably should not be selected as a fast bowler, we can definitely do better in terms of pace and quality. However, I was recently watching Irfan Pathan's first over hat trick against Pakistan. I believe he clocked speeds of 72-77 mph on all three deliveries, two of the guys he troubled were two of the best batsmen in Pakistan's history. I think movement as long as the ball is pitched in the right areas can be lethal even at that pace

You make a valid point but the fact is, he barely lasted a couple of years and was only successful on certain pitches. I think it would be stupid to invest in someone who isn't going to last as long or be useful for all types of pitches. Rather invest in someone who isn't one dimensional.
 
Some people were saying same for Mohammad Abbas as well and now they want him to be a permanent starter in test XI
 
What is Alarming is the fact that most new fast bowlers that are emerging really do not offer much in terms of pace. Too many of these 77-84 mph opening bowlers are on the rise. Its annoying because the generation of young cricketers now are those who have grown up watching Shoaib Akhtar as a hero for Pakistan cricket, yet we really do not see any of that impact on the younger generation
 
I personally believe he has a much higher ceiling than Ruman and would outbowl him if given the opportunity. And this is coming from a guy who loves Ruman as a bowler.

Comfortably better. Rumman is just a T20 bowler who just happened to catch the selector's eyes at the right time.
 
Here's him bowling Alex Lees during a Pakistan A match last summer

VeneratedRipeAfricanbushviper.gif
 
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I think selectors have selected him keeping in mind the next test series in England where Pakistan need 3 specialist fast bowlers.
 
Do they travel in economy class?

Yes, it is actually a downgrade for bechara Shan Masood. Else he'd be in first class because of dad. Has to go through such tough trials and tribulations to be in the Pakistan team, feel sorry for him.
 
Have followed him for a while, has big potential as a bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He deserves this call up although he will find life tough on UAE wickets, key for him will be to get as much as he possibly can out of the new ball.
 
My guess is he'll be pretty good in Tests and succeed there and eventually, the selectors will be stupid enough to use him in LOI and that's where he will fail.

Use him in the Test format only and I think he'll be good. People were saying Mohammad Abbas would be terrible too simply because he lacks pace but pace is extremely overrated in Test IMO. Good control, line, length and swing matter, not sheer pace.
 
Educated cricketers have usually done well for Pakistan. Be it from the days of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram to Saeed Anwar, Misbah or even your personal favorite, Salman Butt.

Salman Khan is not much educated, I think he is high school drop out but he studied at English medium school , hence communicates well in English and "looks" educated, Shehzad is the same case. Wasim Akram is not much educated.

Cricketers who has been really educated at university level are the ones like are the ones like Ramiz, Misbah, Saeed Anwar, Imran Khan and whole team in 80s with few exceptions.
 
Are you for real? Shinwari is leagues ahead of this trundler. Shinwari actually has the pace and swing in him to replace Junaid Khan and eventually become a challenge to the better bowlers in our team, like Hasan and Amir.

Shinwari has everything, all he needs is to be given confidence and games. Swing, seam, pace, yorkers and variation. The only thing he lacks as of now is control but I expect him to learn soon. Hopefully he's selected for the ODI's versus Sri Lanka.

I'm relieved you agree that Shinwari should only be selected once he discovers that elusive control.

No domestic player should be selected with an FC average of 26. Dozens ahead of him.

Hamza has been at the top of the charts for a while now, averages 19, 4 10 fers in 46 games.

But since Shinwari has "everything" he will surely give us reason very soon to talk seriously about his selection

So nice we can all see eye to eye for once.
 
My guess is he'll be pretty good in Tests and succeed there and eventually, the selectors will be stupid enough to use him in LOI and that's where he will fail.

Use him in the Test format only and I think he'll be good. People were saying Mohammad Abbas would be terrible too simply because he lacks pace but pace is extremely overrated in Test IMO. Good control, line, length and swing matter, not sheer pace.

Yes, spot on. They will fumble him like everyone else.
 
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