Sahibzada Farhan made a stunning comeback in T20Is and was the key reason for Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh by 57 runs and the clinching of the T20I series. Instead of Fakhar Zaman, the team named Rizwan as opener, and he took full advantage, hitting an impressive 10 boundaries and six giant sixes on his way to a 74 off 41 balls. The aggressive beginning he had at the opening made Pakistan’s surpassing total of 201 for six possible. During the post-match celebration, Sahibzada shared his thoughts and feelings about his career.
Being back in the national team and winning my first Player of the Match award is a very emotional experience for me. There wasn’t a happier person than him, he said. Farhan performed well in domestic games for many years, but securing a spot in the national team was always a challenge. Even so, his return this year might indicate things are starting to shift. I no longer let fear stop me. This is the third or fourth time I’ve come back, and getting strong domestically is what helps me get picked up again. You have seen today that I am not afraid to fail, he said.
He stated that his experience at both the domestic and franchise levels was key to his development. I continued to do what had helped me before – maintaining my confidence and being prepared to showcase my abilities. Young batters such as Hasan Nawaz were also important, scoring an impressive 51 off 26 balls without getting out. His late hitting, which included two boundaries and three big hits, helped Pakistan surpass the total of 200 runs. As a consequence, Bangladesh never looked steady on the pitch.
Abrar Ahmed (19-3) was dangerous for West Indies batsmen, helping to curtail the Bangladeshi innings to 144 off 19 overs. Pakistan now have a lead in the series that cannot be overcome. The series finale will be played at Royal Challengers Bangalore’s home ground on June 1. Since Pakistan aim for a sweep, much attention will focus on players like Farhan, who have added pleasure and diversity to the team with their strong showings.
