Swabi-born Mohammad Asad set to follow Yasir Shah’s footsteps

A regular performer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) Remote Areas Camp for the last two years, leg-spinner Mohammad Asad has found his way to the Pakistan team that is set to compete in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Asia Cup to be played in Bangladesh from 12 November.

The 19-year-old, who hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swabi, wishes to emulate Pakistan Test leg-spinner Yasir Shah — also born and raised in Swabi and regarded as one of the world's top leg-spinners with an impressive Test record of 203 wickets in only 35 matches.

As per a press release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Asad also represented Abbottabad in the U19 Regional Tournament, with the selectors at the NCA Remote Areas trials noticing his skill.

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Asad honed his skills practising at the Yasir Shah Academy in Swabi and aspires to win laurels for the country at the highest level.

About his early days, he said: “I was passionate about cricket from an early age. I used to go to the ground with my cousin and used to bowl six hours daily.

"While learning leg-spin, I took guidance from Shane Warne’s bowling videos. Initially, my family objected to my interest in cricket but when they saw my hard work and improvement in my game they started backing me.

"My mother had tears of joy in her eyes when she heard about my selection in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup squad, I really want to do well and win the tournament for Pakistan.”

Asad’s aim is to represent Pakistan in all three formats; however, for now, his focus is on the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup where he is set to be a vital cog in Pakistan’s bowling attack that also includes young spinners Mohammad Hassan and Umer Khan.