[VIDEO] Talent Spotter: Zaman Khan

[MenInG]

A profile of Mirpur-based Zaman Khan who impressed with his excellent fast-bowling in the recently concluded first edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL)

Full Name: Zaman Khan

Date of Birth: September 10, 2001, Chakswari, Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir

Major Teams: Pakistan Under-16s, Northern Under-19s, Rawalakot Hawks

Batting Style: Right hand bat

Bowling Style: Right arm medium fast

Height: 5ft 11in



Interest in cricket

No one in my family was really interested in cricket and my father had enrolled me in a madrassah after school time to learn the Quran as he felt that this was very important for me. So, I really had only a few hours of leisure time which I would use by playing tape-ball cricket locally. Initially my father was not happy with this as he wanted me to concentrate on learning the Quran as he really didn’t understand what cricket was all about. However, one of my uncles convinced him that this was a healthy activity and he allowed me to play.


On my way to becoming Hafiz-e-Quran

I am pleased to say that whilst I completed my education to the 9th grade, I have carried on my quest to become a Hafiz-e-Quran and have now memorized up to the 18 of 30 parts of the holy book.


Starting hard-ball cricket after watching the India versus Pakistan semi-final in the 2011 World Cup

The first international game I watched on television was the one between Pakistan and India in Mohali in 2011 and at that point, it was all that I knew of what proper cricket was about but that game did spark my interest in the sport and based upon advice of a family friend, I moved to Mirpur in 2018 to start to play hard-ball cricket.


Performing well on the Under-16 tour of Australia

Once in Mirpur, I joined the Prince Cricket Club and as I improved further, I moved to the Eagle Star Cricket Club in Mirpur. This was a huge move for me as Eagle Star is the best club in Mirpur with some top coaches helping players improve themselves. The results of this move were almost immediate as I was picked in national trials for the Under-16 tour of Australia in 2018. This was a side lead by Saim Ayub and I was the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in the One-Day series where in 4 One-Day games I took 7 wickets.


Shoaib Akhtar as role model but bowl like Lasith Malinga

Shoaib Akhtar is my favourite cricketer and role model and the one who I have followed all my life as he was a “speed star” and I really wanted to be known like him for speed and aggression but my action is very much like former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga. I have watched many of his videos to see what he did to get the sort of success he did in his playing days. Having said that, before I had even watched Malinga my natural action was always slingy and its only later that I came to realize that it was very similar to that of Malinga.


Bowling fast and favourite wicket-taking balls

In terms of speed, I feel that I was able to hit some good speeds recently during the KPL. In 2018 during the fast-bowlers camp at the NCA, I was recorded at around 141 Kph whilst during the KPL I felt that my fastest ball was closer to the 145Kph mark. I am quite happy to bowl yorkers at fast speeds, but slow and quick bouncers are also deliveries that help me take wickets.


The opportunity to play Kashmir Premier League (KPL) in 2021

After the Under-16 tour, I played for Azad Kashmir in the Regional Under-19s in 2018/19, for Northern Under-19s in 2019/2020/2021 in One and Three Day tournaments and was also part of the Pakistan Under-19 tour of China, but my real opportunity to shine came when I was selected in the trials for the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League. But this did not happen without hard work which I began at the start of this year. This was a time when I left home to stay in Mirpur and would practice for long hours. In-fact I put in so much time in the gym and training that my trainers told me to tone it down and bowl more in the nets if I wanted to prepare well for the tournament.


Playing under Shahid Afridi at the KPL

I became part of the Rawalakot Hawks which was led by former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. It was a great honour to play under such a great player and the one thing I loved about Shahid Bhai was the way he encouraged me on the field. Despite being a player of such a stature, he would act like one of our equals on the field and get involved in the game without any hesitation. It was also a great feeling when we became champions of the first edition of KPL and to be part of such a squad is something I will never forget.


Memorable wickets at KPL

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of bowling to some of the top Pakistani names in T20 cricket. Of the 10 wickets in 6 matches that I took, I really enjoyed dismissing Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Sharjeel Khan as these are all big international names and I must have done something right to get them out. These wickets will forever remain in my memory when I think of my performances at KPL.


Pakistan Super League (PSL) and beyond

I am very hopeful that I will get a chance to play in the next edition of the PSL as I really feel I have the ability to perform in an event of such high quality. And by doing that I would be very happy if I can get a chance to play for Pakistan in future. However, when it comes to favourite versions of the game, I do prefer the red-ball format and I am hoping that I will get a chance to play in First-class cricket in the upcoming season for Northern.

[MenInG]

Video compilation of Zaman Khan:

Mirpur-born Zaman Khan who has so far taken 2-28, 3-27 and 3-18 at the Kashmir Premier League (video courtesy KPL) #KPL21 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/lszvL5WrTC

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 11, 2021

[Bewal Express]

He will go for a few but will also take wickets. When he gets his action right, he is very sharp. His bouncer to Zeeshan was great to watch

[shamaan]

Hopefully he is nurtured and groomed and plays in the longer format in domestic

[Muhammad Saad]

Remember seeing him with u16 , he used to jogging instead of steaming now , he has improved his pace alot

[MenInG]

Named in the Dream Team for KPL 2021

11) Zaman Khan (Rawalakot Hawks)

[Saj]

Watched him a few times in the KPL and he looked ok.

Decent pace, raw, unorthodox, but definitely something to work with for the coaches.

I just hope they don't try to alter his bowling action too much.

[MenInG]

A place in a PSL team will do him a world of good - hopefully he will be picked for a franchise.

[MenInG]

Well done to Zaman Khan for being included in the Northern squad for the 2021/22 domestic season.

[MenInG]

Good to see him bowling fast for Northern - seems to have clocked around the 141kph mark

[MenInG]

one wicket of Bismillah Khan to his name also so far

[Cosmic]

Hello

Just wondering any thoughts on this New prospects for Zaman khan, he looks similar like malinga action..?

[b.lesner]

He was bowling at 145 , a little bit of coaching he should 5k so 150 would be good speed. He also needs to talk to Malinga and ask about slow bowl Yorker that would be great.

[Major]

Ugly action, he is not even that accurate

[MenInG]

Excellent work from Zaman 3/31 for Northern v Balochistan in the National T20 Cup

[b.lesner]

The ball he bowled to Hussain Talat was fantastic display of reverse swing, i hope and pray he gets picked in the PSL.

[Omer2002]

he has huge potential ..better than rauf i think and he is young

[shamaan]

He has potential but needs some work.

[Firebat]

We might be seeing a lot more of him in the near future, as he's been picked up by Lahore Qalandars in the PSL7 Draft.

[moghul]

Too short as fast bowler for international cricket, but hope will make some living in domestic T20 league. Hasan Ali is short too but his action gives him lots of control over his line length and swing and seam but not with slinging action of Zaman Khan.

[MenInG]

Zaman Khan's first game in PSL 7 today for Lahore.

[silentkiller187]

Action looked a bit suspect when they slowed it down slingy like malinga but there also seemed to be some hyper extension of some sort.

[Muddaser]

Action looked a bit suspect when they slowed it down slingy like malinga but there also seemed to be some hyper extension of some sort.

It's fine.

[Saj]

I thought he actually bowled better than his figures showed today.

Some edges, miscues and some sloppy fielding certainly didn't help.

[Bewal Express]

The bits I saw and I didn't see a lot, he seemed not be going through with his action.

[MenInG]

Zaman's first wicket - that of Nabi at PSL 7

[Bewal Express]

Looks to be carrying too many pounds especially around the waste.

[Titan24]

Pace was decent as was around high 130s, 140s more often. Unorthodox action but, some things can still be improved I think without changing the unorthodox nature much.

Unorthodoxy is always rare in cricket and other sports and guy seems to have some decent basic raw skillset but, a lot of competition going in the bowling department even sometimes at domestic level now so these two years at emerging level in PSL as well as with the Northern side domestic side, he needs to make them count and try to take his game and fitness to the next level.

[MenInG]

2 in 2 for Zaman Khan for Lahore Qalandars in their game against Zalmi

[Saj]

Finishes with 3-32 from his 4 overs against LQ.

Excellent effort that.

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[MenInG]

Finishes with 3-32 from his 4 overs against LQ.

Excellent effort that.

His 3rd wicket

[MenInG]

David Wiese regarding Zaman Khan “it’s amazing, every single time we come back here there’s a new emerging guy that’s bowling at 90mph & has unbelievable skill. It’s just the confidence levels they have coming here. It’s his first season and he looks like he’s at home here” #PSL7

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 2, 2022

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[shamaan]

Proud day for all of Kashmir

[MenInG]

What an over by Zaman!

Defended 12 in the last over and removed Asif as well.

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Amazing over. Just gave 3 runs in final over. Defended 12. Well done.

[Saj]

That last over of the match from Zaman was as good as you will see.

Absolutely brilliant control.

[Concerned]

Bowled a better closing over than the experienced Rauf.

[Moiz14]

Me personally not so impressed.. 138 kph in the slot bowling it was in last over.. It was more of bad quality of batting than good balls.. Any good world class hitter would have smashed 3 sixes at least on those 6 deliveries

[MenInG]

Zaman Khan "Shaheen Shah Afridi told me to just enjoy myself in that final over and in doing that I was able to finish off the over well and we won" #PSL7 #LQvsIU pic.twitter.com/zERdhf5ZMT

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 5, 2022

[MenInG]

Hope we see more of these

[finalfantasy7]

Hope we see more of these

bowled brilliantly today, info says he's 5ffoot 11, he isnt he's more like 5foot 9.

final over was awesome

[moghul]

Handicapped by lack of height required for a good fast bowler but he compensates it enough with his intelligent bowling with very good control and variation . Malinga was even shorter than him, so if he works hard, he can make it to higher level.

[Moiz14]

I personally not so impressed.. 138 kph in the slot bowling it was in last over.. It was more of bad quality of batting than good balls.. Any good world class hitter would have smashed 3 sixes at least on those 6 deliveries

[Saj]

That last over against IU showed that he is a thinking bowler.

Varied his lines, his lengths and his pace beautifully.

He simply out-thought the batters.

Fantastic to watch.

[Moiz14]

Come on man, now that's what we call overhyping. all deliveries were in the slot and around 137k except one bouncer.. Had there been better world class hitters, at least 3 sixes were on the card.. It was more of bad quality of batting than good bowling.. Yes credit to him for winning but balls were not so special quality wise to be honest.. Even the ball on which he got asif was pretty mediocre and in the slot with medium pace but yes asif Ali missed the shot, nothing special in delivery..
Good death bowling is either yorkers/bouncers on pace or change of lengths and pace.. His most deliveries were over pitched on medium pace..

[Maher96]

[Hassaan HS]

Zaman Khan now tied the leading wicket takers record in pacers of PSL 2022 with 12 wickets with Shaheen Shah Afridi , Shahnawaz Dhani & Naseem Shah.

[Last Monetarist]

His wickets today against Karachi:

[as-95]

Got wickets but he looked really short? Anyone know how tall he is? Looked tiny next to the other players (not just shaheen)

Edit: OP says 5'11... surely not? Did anyone else see what I'm seeing?

[ElRaja]

Got wickets but he looked really short? Anyone know how tall he is? Looked tiny next to the other players (not just shaheen)

Edit: OP says 5'11... surely not? Did anyone else see what I'm seeing?

yeah, looks a bit shorter, but height is more important for test match bowling, shorter medium pacers tend to be ok in league cricket. when ur bowling round arm ur giving up nearly a foot off ur height anyway.

one benefit he does have is that his slower balls die after pitching. being shorter helps in that.

[shamaan]

He has been really impressive bowls at the death and in the powerplay

[Maher96]

Little expensive today, Bowles a few wide.

Just the 2 overs for him today for 21 and no wickets.

[Savak]

Heard he touched 150 today

[MenInG]

Growing in stature Zaman - great news for Pakistan cricket

[Concerned]

He was the obvious bowler to target but overall has performed very well with some crucial spells.

[as-95]

Raised concerns about his height earlier in this thread already but his age fudging is a concern too.

There is no way he is 20 years old right now. His face looks too aged and so dies his hairline. Definitely mid 20s imo.

Lets see how he does anyway. Not a fan of slingy bowlers but lets see how he progresses. Good figures today in the final.

[MenInG]

Brilliant tournament for Zaman Khan:

Overs 46.5
Maidens 2
Runs conceded 386
Wickets 18
Economy rate 8.24#PSLFinal #LQvsMS pic.twitter.com/5Qf4ZSLPcx

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 27, 2022

[MenInG]

Raised concerns about his height earlier in this thread already but his age fudging is a concern too.

There is no way he is 20 years old right now. His face looks too aged and so dies his hairline. Definitely mid 20s imo.

Lets see how he does anyway. Not a fan of slingy bowlers but lets see how he progresses. Good figures today in the final.

Please move on from this age thing. He is not representing U19s etc.

[Major]

Congrats on him becoming emerging player of the tournament.

However i dont think he should play for pakistan, i still think he is too wayward as his head isnt still. Malinga with the same action kept a still head and bowled accurate.

Zaman Khan i feel throws his head away. Well irshan just throws it away and zaman also sometimes throws his head.

[James]

[James]

Congratulations to him!

[Concerned]

I felt Zaman provided better control with the bowl than the experienced Rauf who ended up with a higher economy.

[Major]

Wonder if he would be added for the t20, squad

[James]

Zaman Khan:
"Shaheen Shah Afridi has always supported me like he would for a younger brother, that's why I enjoy bowling; I have been really influenced by Shaheen and Haris Rauf, as well as Rashid Khan; These are world-class stars of the game and I do enjoy playing alongside them"

[gazza619]

This kid bowled with great discipline and knew his strengths. As such even his 136 kph deliveries were deadly and effective.

[as-95]

Please move on from this age thing. He is not representing U19s etc.

Ofcourse not but it should be noted that he isn't some sort of 20 year old prodigy whilst judging his ability.

[shamaan]

Deserved the Emerging player Award was outstanding.

[moghul]

Please move on from this age thing. He is not representing U19s etc.

Agree, its so annoying when a good discussion on a players talent is diverted to his age, unnecessarily . Does it matter whether he is 20 or 22 , not at all.

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Qalandars to build a house for Zaman Khan on Shaheen Afridi's request

Lahore Qalandars Chief Operating Officier (COO) Sameen Rana has announced to build a house for emerging star Zaman Khan on request of Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The 20-year old Zaman Khan's performances in the winning campaign of Lahore Qalandars in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 7 were instrumental.

The right-arm pacer was the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament as he bagged 13 wickets at an average of 21.50.

Zaman Khan is also the first emerging player to win two man-of-the-match awards in the history of HBL PSL.

The pacer hails from the Chakwari area of Azad Kashmir. Zaman was first noticed in the Kashmir Premier League and made his debut for Northerns against Balochistan in September 2021.

The young pacer belongs to a humble background and lives in an underdeveloped area that lacks adequate infrastructure. Keeping this in mind, the COO of Qalandars Sameen Rana announced to build a house for Zaman Khan for his outstanding commitment to the franchise during his visit to the pacers hometown in Mirpur.

While Rana was traveling to Zaman's village, he received a phone call from Qalanadars skipper, who requested Rana to take the kind-hearted initiative for the youngster.

"Zaman Khan has outperformed many big names, including foreign star players, and He is the only emerging player in the history of HBL PSL to win two man-of-the-match awards," Rana added.

"It is because of him that we have won the HBL PSL title after seven years-long wait," Rana Stated.

"Building a house for Zaman is not only my wish. In fact, the management of Lahore Qalandars and Shaheen Shah Afridi is also behind this initiative." Rana concluded.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/ne...aheens-request

[cricket_cfa]

Can zaman khan play in test to use reverse swing with his side arm action?

[shamaan]

Can zaman khan play in test to use reverse swing with his side arm action?

Not until he plays domestic

[Markhor]

Numbers from the ongoing Pakistan Cup 50 over tournament:

7 matches, 6 wickets at 55 apiece at an economy of 6.4.

[Saj]

Numbers from the ongoing Pakistan Cup 50 over tournament:

7 matches, 6 wickets at 55 apiece at an economy of 6.4.

I think we seem to be producing a lot of T20 specialists these days.

[MenInG]

The latest ICC article suggest Zaman as an "out of the box" type replacement for Shaheen Shah Afridi?

Worth a shout?

[Titan24]

The latest ICC article suggest Zaman as an "out of the box" type replacement for Shaheen Shah Afridi?

Worth a shout?

Interesting however, I believe he is not fully ready. He has some skills and decent attitude but needs a lot of guidance from a senior bowler/player on the field to know what to execute and what time with what kind of field.

Shaheen literally guided him throughout the PSL 7. If Shaheen would have been their then Zaman could have been utilized really well but, then he wouldn’t be in consideration as well currently. With Haris and co themselves far from experienced at top level not sure who can provide him ball by ball guidance.

I wont mind but, if this happens then it can go either ways as it stands currently.

[MenInG]

Performances so far in the National T20

[PakEngFan]

He’s short and frankly he’s quite rubbish can’t swing or seam and not quick enough.