He hails from Lahore and his 21st birthday is in 6 days time. He already has 2430 runs in just 31 first class matches at an eye catching average of just under 48.
A product of the infamous Model Town Cricket Club in Lahore, Usman Salahuddin has already caught the eye of the selectors when he was picked for two one day internationals against the West Indies earlier this year. Unfortunately Usman's international chances in the Caribbean were limited to just 28 deliveries and since then he has not surprisingly been given another chance by the selectors.
The pedigree is there, Usman's father played first class cricket in the 70s and 80s and Usman has impressed thoughout his cricketing education, whether it be at junior level, under 19s or in inter district cricket. Wherever he has played he has made people sit up and take note of his talent.
900 runs at an average of 77 in his first full Quaid E Azam Trophy wasn't a bad start. However this season Usman has flourished playing for Lahore Ravi and has the highest run aggregate in the Quaid E Azam trophy in both divisions. 925 runs already in just 7 matches at an average of 92.50 is an extraordinary achievment. His run aggregate is 200 more runs than any other batsman in the second division.
Usman is a confident and well mannered, humble young man, keen to improve and eager to learn. Always willing to listen to advice and willing to listen to constructive criticism, always talking about working hard and improving.
He hails Mohammad Yousuf and Sachin Tendulkar as his role models and hopes that he can achieve even a fraction of what those two great batsmen have achieved.
Last season he was due to play league cricket in England but due to his selection for the Pakistan side in the West Indies he was replaced by the club that he was due to play for as they needed an overseas professional from the start of the season.
Usman suffered a major setback shortly before last months Faysal Bank Cup when he was struck by a bout of dengue. In his own words he didn't know whether he was going to get through it. But thankfully Usman fought the fever and regained full fitness in time for the second round of matches in the Quaid E Azam Trophy.
The concern is that the Pakistani selectors don't waste yet another young talent by throwing him in for a couple of one dayers where he is not even given a proper chance. I would urge the selectors to take a closer look at this young man and give him a proper chance and an extended run in test cricket.
There are a couple of batsmen in the Pakistan test squad who need to be looking over their shoulders at the performances of Usman Salahuddin and really need to up their game if they are to retain their place in the Pakistan squad.
Competition for batting places is intense in the Pakistan squads and no player has a right to be selected but the reality is that a couple of players in the test squad need to start performing before it's too late.
Selection should be based on performance and not based on what has been achieved in the past or potential.
Sooner rather than later Usman Salahuddin will be in the Pakistan test side and I reckon he will be difficult to remove from that spot.
A product of the infamous Model Town Cricket Club in Lahore, Usman Salahuddin has already caught the eye of the selectors when he was picked for two one day internationals against the West Indies earlier this year. Unfortunately Usman's international chances in the Caribbean were limited to just 28 deliveries and since then he has not surprisingly been given another chance by the selectors.
The pedigree is there, Usman's father played first class cricket in the 70s and 80s and Usman has impressed thoughout his cricketing education, whether it be at junior level, under 19s or in inter district cricket. Wherever he has played he has made people sit up and take note of his talent.
900 runs at an average of 77 in his first full Quaid E Azam Trophy wasn't a bad start. However this season Usman has flourished playing for Lahore Ravi and has the highest run aggregate in the Quaid E Azam trophy in both divisions. 925 runs already in just 7 matches at an average of 92.50 is an extraordinary achievment. His run aggregate is 200 more runs than any other batsman in the second division.
Usman is a confident and well mannered, humble young man, keen to improve and eager to learn. Always willing to listen to advice and willing to listen to constructive criticism, always talking about working hard and improving.
He hails Mohammad Yousuf and Sachin Tendulkar as his role models and hopes that he can achieve even a fraction of what those two great batsmen have achieved.
Last season he was due to play league cricket in England but due to his selection for the Pakistan side in the West Indies he was replaced by the club that he was due to play for as they needed an overseas professional from the start of the season.
Usman suffered a major setback shortly before last months Faysal Bank Cup when he was struck by a bout of dengue. In his own words he didn't know whether he was going to get through it. But thankfully Usman fought the fever and regained full fitness in time for the second round of matches in the Quaid E Azam Trophy.
The concern is that the Pakistani selectors don't waste yet another young talent by throwing him in for a couple of one dayers where he is not even given a proper chance. I would urge the selectors to take a closer look at this young man and give him a proper chance and an extended run in test cricket.
There are a couple of batsmen in the Pakistan test squad who need to be looking over their shoulders at the performances of Usman Salahuddin and really need to up their game if they are to retain their place in the Pakistan squad.
Competition for batting places is intense in the Pakistan squads and no player has a right to be selected but the reality is that a couple of players in the test squad need to start performing before it's too late.
Selection should be based on performance and not based on what has been achieved in the past or potential.
Sooner rather than later Usman Salahuddin will be in the Pakistan test side and I reckon he will be difficult to remove from that spot.
