Pakistan have handed a T20I debut to Ahmed Daniyal for their must-win second T20I against Bangladesh. Here's why they've given a 28-year-old with four PSL appearances in the last four years his maiden international cap.
Pakistan's XI for their second T20I against Bangladesh in Mirpur today (July 22) featured one change from the previous match. They brought in Daniyal – a pace bowler – into the side in place of spinner Abrar Ahmed, and elected to bowl first.
2nd T20I, Bangladesh vs Pakistan
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Who is Ahmed Daniyal?
On the face of it, Daniyal looks like an outside choice for international honours. He was picked in the squad for the T20I series with a raft of first-choice Pakistan players left out. Haris Rauf picked up a hamstring injury while playing in the MLC, which ruled him out of the series, while Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Irfan Khan Niazi were all left out.
Daniyal is a 28-year-old medium pacer, who has never previously been in an international squad. He played for Lahore Qalandars in the 2021 PSL, in which he took six wickets across 10 games. Prior to that series, he earned praise from Aaqib Javed – current Pakistan head coach – for his performances in that year's Abu Dhabi T10 League. “All over Pakistan, we have seen around half a million kids, and every year we are producing something new, like Ahmed Daniyal. He is a special talent,” said Javed.
Following the 2021 PSL, Danyal was bought by Melbourne Stars in the BBL, and he played three games in that season. For the next three years, Daniyal's T20 appearances were limited to the National T20 Cup and the men's Emerging Asia Cup, before he made his return to the PSL earlier this year. He played four matches for Peshawar Zalmi and took six wickets, including a best of 3-17.
Daniyal and Pakistan make a fast start against Bangladesh
Bangladesh lost Mohammad Naim early in their innings when he edged a ball from Faheem Ashraf through to the keeper in the second over of the match. Salman Mirza then capitalised on the open end, and dismissed Litton Das in the fifth over of the innings, with Towhid Hridoy also run out in the same over leaving Bangladesh 25-3.
Following that over, Daniyal was brought on for his first over in international cricket. He struck straight away, snaring Parvaz Hossain Emon to a tame dismissal with his fourth delivery. Daniyal then took his second wicket in the 16th over, with Shamim Hossain playing onto his stumps. At the end of the 16th over, his figures read 2-15 from three.
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