Photo Credit: Pakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan pace ace’s five match BBL stint comes to an end
Sydney Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss has hailed Muhammad Hasnain’s five match stint in the KFC Big Bash League as a great success.
The 21-year-old pace bowler returned home to Pakistan last night (to prepare for the Pakistan Super League, which starts on January 27) with seven wickets at a strike rate of 15.7 and a skinny economy rate of six. He also became the first bowler in BBL history to take three wickets in the first over of his debut.
Hasnain enjoyed a blistering start to his time at Thunder, taking wickets with the second, third and fifth balls of his opening over against the Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Showground Stadium.
Bayliss said Hasnain’s triple-wicket maiden – and his sheer pace – made plenty of people take notice of him.
“He brought a bit of pace,” said Bayliss with a wry smile when asked what the fast bowler who launches rockets that travel over 150km/h brought to Thunder’s bowling attack.
“Even though he’s only a young guy he brought his international experience with him.
“He has pace, a good yorker, and he showed that even in T20 cricket that extra bit of pace can be difficult to play.
“The reason a lot of the young internationals come out [to the BBL] is for experience; to learn how to play in conditions that are different to what they’re used to.
“I’m sure Muhammad is hoping he tours Australia at some later date with Pakistan; obviously he’d come here with some experience of playing in Australian conditions.”
Bayliss said Hasnain – who has already made 26 appearances for Pakistan’s white ball teams – added shock value to Thunder’s attack.
He cited Hasnain’s opening match against the Strikers – in which he finished the match with 3-20 – as a perfect example.
“When local players haven’t seen guys like Muhammad it can be a bit of a surprise,” he said. “After that [debut] the other teams were a little bit more circumspect against him because they knew what to expect – but that’s all part of the learning process on both sides of the equation.”
Thunder is set to round out its regular season against the Melbourne Renegades at the MCG on Wednesday ahead of the Finals Series starting on January 21. The team is guaranteed of a top three finish.
BBL|11 Finals Schedule
Fri Jan 21 | The Eliminator | 4th v 5th
Sat Jan 22 | The Qualifier | 1st v 2nd
Sun Jan 23 | The Knock-Out | 3rd v Winner of The Eliminator
Wed Jan 26: The Challenger | Loser of The Qualifier v Winner of The Knock-Out
Fri Jan 28 | The Final | Winner of The Qualifier v Winner of The Challenger
Name of Author: Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder is an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at Sydney Showground Stadium, the Thunder, along with the Sydney Sixers, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
