Bismillah wins it for his idol Sarfraz

Dubai: Quetta Gladiators opener Bismillah Khan, who spearheaded his team’s run-chase with a fine knock of 55 against Lahore to bag the Man of the Match, idolises his skipper Sarfraz Ahmad.

“My captain Sarfraz is my idol. I idolise him because he is one who can sweep a fast bowler to a boundary,” said the little-known Bismillah, for whom it was the first outing in Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Interestingly, Bismillah’s strokes were even applauded by Kevin Pietersen, with whom he was involved in a 73-run partnership. “I am so happy to get such a chance to play. My team management gave me a lot of confidence. Cricket is easy, but it is the pressure at this level which is difficult. If you handle the pressure well, I know you’ll be successful,” said Bismillah, who was born in Quetta and is the only player from Quetta and province of Balochistan in PSL.

“There is lot of talent in Quetta but we don’t have the facilities for the game. PSL will give a big boost to cricket in the region,” said Bismillah.

“It’s the best debut I would have wished for. As I was going out to bat, everyone egged me on. When players like Sarfraz and Sangakkara are backing me with Sir Viv (Richards as mentor) and Moin Khan (coach), it really took pressure off me. I played my natural game helping Gladiators to win. It’s a very big moment in my life and for people of Quetta,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi who hit the winning runs in the Quetta’s victory, will miss the rest of the PSL matches as he left early to do Asia Cup duty for Afghanistan. Before leaving, the cricketer said: “This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my career as I shared the dressing room with some of the best players. The atmosphere in the camp throughout was such that we enjoyed each other’s company. I pray that my team wins the inaugural PSL and they can do it even without me, because there are a lot of match-winners in it and most importantly, we play as a team.”

Quetta has replaced Nabi with New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum.

In another development, Lahore pacer Kevon Cooper has been reported for a suspect illegal bowling action during his match against Quetta. He has been placed on the warning list, but may continue to be selected to play and bowl for his team in a PSL match.

Under the ‘PSL Suspected Illegal Bowling Action policy,’ if a player is reported while on the warning list, he will then suspended from bowling for the remainder of the PSL tournament and from bowling in any matches organised by the PCB until such date as he is cleared or upon conclusion of any ineligibility period.