Sydney Thunder: Saqib Mahmood ready to show ‘Fearlessness’

Photo Credit: PCB/PSL

15 players available for Sunday night clash with the Heat at the Gabba

English pace bowler Saqib Mahmood has joined Sydney Thunder’s squad for its trip to Brisbane, vowing to display the same “fearlessness” that propelled him into England’s national One Day and T20I teams.

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The 24-year-old from Lancashire in England’s north-west, crowned a stunning three-match showing against Pakistan last July by being named Player of the Series after capturing nine wickets at an average of 13.66, and at a tight economy rate of 4.39.

After his first few training sessions with his new teammates, Mahmood said he’d approach his first taste of KFC Big Bash League cricket with the same spirit that earnt him the respect of Pakistan’s top batter, Babar Azam.

“It’s something which has been instilled among the England group, the England white ball side, and [Thunder coach] Trevor Bayliss was at the forefront of that. To be able to work out here with him, I’m looking forward to that.

“In this format of the game if you accept that you’re going to go for runs some days, obviously that sits well with you and then you can start taking options,” Mahmood said.

“We use the word ‘slightly brave’ [for a ball] which could go for runs but could also get you a wicket – and that’s served me best.

“When I put too much pressure on myself and try and stop runs – which, the reality is you’re going to go for runs in this game – that’s when things start to go wrong.

“That’s something I’ve worked out for myself and I feel like it’s the right way to go in this game.”

Mahmood said he was looking forward to the challenge of bowling his right-arm pace in Australian conditions and fitting in with a new squad.

“I’m quite open and flexible to doing whatever is required of me, and I think all of these things add to all of your experience,” he said.

“I’m probably one of the only guys who hasn’t played over 100 games in England’s T20 side, so to get these experiences will be great.”

Meanwhile, after back-to-back losses to the Melbourne Stars, all-rounder Ben Cutting said it was crucial Thunder “put runs on the board” when they bat against his old club, the Brisbane Heat, at the Gabba tomorrow night.

“We have to put runs on the board if we bat first, and trust in our skills with both the bat and the ball; what we’ve been training for together over the last couple of years,” he said.

“We know it’s a tried and tested set of plans and structure in how we play, we just need to maintain it and know we’ll come good.”

Thunder Squad v Brisbane Heat

Sydney Thunder BBL|11 Home Games

Sun 12 Dec | V Melbourne Stars | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium

Sun 26 Dec | V Sydney Sixers | 6:05pm | Sydney Showground Stadium

Tues 28 Dec | V Perth Scorchers | 7:15pm | Manuka Oval

Sun 2 Jan | V Adelaide Strikers | 7:15pm | Sydney Showground Stadium

Thurs 13 Jan | V Hobart Hurricanes | 4:00pm | Sydney Showground Stadium

Wed 19 Jan | V Melbourne Renegades | 4:40pm | Sydney Showground Stadium

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Name of Author: Sydney Thunder

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.