"There is so much to admire about Mohammad Rizwan as our captain" : Shahnawaz Dahani

[MenInG]

The Shahnawaz Dahani story is one that has the ability to inspire many future generations of cricketers from around the world. Born and raised in a village near the city of Larkana in Sindh, where facilities for cricket were limited, starting hard-ball cricket without progressing through the well-recognized junior route. He appeared for local trials and was selected for the regional team at the Under-19 level after borrowing cricket boots and socks from a friend. He impressed with his performances in domestic cricket and was then picked to play in PSL 6 by Multan Sultans. The rest, as they say, is history as he became the top wicket-taker with 20 wickets in PSL 6 playing an integral part in their title winning season and then progressed to become a T20I debutante for Pakistan against Bangladesh in November 2021.

Fast forward to 2022 where Dahani is considered as one of the key components of Multan Sultans’ bid to win back to back PSL titles, the pacer in an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net spoke about his meteoric rise to become one of Pakistan’s most well-loved and popular cricketers, “First of all, I would like to thank the Almighty for His mercy and help throughout my life and career. To be part of the PSL winning Multan Sultans squad last year, to have debuted for my beloved Pakistan and to have gained the admiration of people from my region as well as my country is something which is like a dream come true for me and for which I am indebted to all. The road to this success has not been easy and has involved a lot of hard work and dedication for which the prayers of my parents and my admirers have been crucial. I hope to continue performing in the same way and with my usual enthusiasm and help win games when given the opportunity, not just for Multan Sultans but also for Pakistan”

As it stands, Multan Sultans have set the bar high for all other teams to follow and are clearly one of the favourites to win the tournament. The supreme confidence that the team oozes is a clear sign of a side that is comfortable in itself and where the players are enjoying their time together as Dahani explained, “It’s been a great start for us in PSL 7 and we have started where we ended the tournament in 2021 as winners of the title. We have won all of the four games we have played so far, and we have all seen how well the team is performing under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan. The body language of the squad is obviously very positive, and we have a lot of confidence in our ability to continue performing at the same level in the remaining games of the tournament. We are very confident that, InshaAllah, we will maintain this positive momentum and become the first PSL team to win back-to-back titles.”

Whilst other sides at the PSL have impressed during each of the past six editions of the tournament, Multan Sultans impressive performances according to Dahani seem to be due to a unique chemistry amongst the squad which can easily be attributed to the combination of players and the team management lead by Andy Flower and Mohammad Rizwan.

“The secret of our winning combination is simply based on the fact that we have a well-balanced squad and one that has gelled well with each other as is visible from the way we perform on the field. For that the credit not only lies with the players themselves but with our Coaches and other members of the team management who have provided us all the support and assistance that we need to perform at our best. As you can see from how our squad is performing that our motto is to work hard, win games, enjoy the game and enjoy each other’s company as well.”

A smile on his face and never prone to knee-jerk on-field reactions, Mohammad Rizwan who was recently announced as the ICC T20I player of the year, seems to be setting new standards of leadership at the PSL which others would do well to follow. This is a fact not lost upon his team-mates and on Dahani who is an ardent admirer of Rizwan’s style of leadership which lends to an atmosphere of calmness on and off the field.

“There is so much to admire about Mohammad Rizwan as our captain but one aspect of his captaincy that I love is the fact that he remains calm and collected at all stages of the game, no matter what hurdles he is faced with. His leadership qualities especially come to light when we are faced with pressure situations, whether we are batting or bowling. Whenever a tough situation arises for a bowler, he the first one to put an arm around the shoulder to ease the tension and he never loses his cool. Instead, he keeps calm and smiling even under so much stress and backs his bowlers which is a great quality for any captain and something any bowler would want from their leader.”

Azhar Mahmood recently moved to Islamabad United as their Head Coach after his stint with Multan Sultans. As he accepted in a recent interview with PakPassion.net, the decision was not an easy one for him and judging from what Dahani has to say about working with Azhar, he will be missed at Multan Sultans. However, the presence of another experienced figure, Ottis Gibson as Azhar’s replacement is something of a Godsend for a young bowler like Dahani and is an opportunity that he is very happy to accept with both hands, “I have had the unique honour of working with two of the best coaches in the game in Azhar Mahmood and now with Ottis Gibson. They both have different qualities and approaches to the game which have provided great opportunities for learning for me as a player. They both have their own strengths, and to me they are both legends of the game which makes my association with them so special. To have the opportunity to work under two renowned names and receive their advice has been phenomenal and I am really enjoying working under Ottis Gibson in the same way I did when Azhar Mahmood was our Bowling Coach.”

[Saj]

He's had a rough start to PSL7 Dahani, but I'm sure he'll come good.

He's spot on regarding the importance of having a calm, cool and supportive leader rather than someone who panics as soon as the going gets tough.

[transparent opacity]

Back in the playing 11 today, hoping for a good performance.

Presence of Rizwan as a captain is definitely helping the team. He's proving to be a great leader.

[Moiz14]

Really want to see him clocking 145 plus again.. Form is temporary and so is line and length, you can loose that and get that back... But suddenly bowling dull 137s is not good enough.. Come back hard champ..

[Saj]

143kph 1st ball
A wicket 2nd ball
146.2 kph 3rd ball
Rapid bouncer 4th ball
146.5 kph 5th ball

Looks like the Dahani of old, we all admire.

[MenInG]

143kph 1st ball
A wicket 2nd ball
146.2 kph 3rd ball
Rapid bouncer 4th ball
146.5 kph 5th ball

Looks like the Dahani of old, we all admire.

Amazing comeback

[Wahid1234]

This guy has got his pace back. Look special this lad… love the energy he brings and bowls some beauties.. just needs to be more consistent and we have a gem 💎 on our hands

[Wahid1234]

Really want to see him clocking 145 plus again.. Form is temporary and so is line and length, you can loose that and get that back... But suddenly bowling dull 137s is not good enough.. Come back hard champ..

He come back like a champ today- from bowling mid 130 kph dollies in the previous game back to mid 140 kph lads a talent and skys the limit just needs to focus and work hard

[CricketingMinds]

He's had a rough start to PSL7 Dahani, but I'm sure he'll come good.

He's spot on regarding the importance of having a calm, cool and supportive leader rather than someone who panics as soon as the going gets tough.

Saj, but for some people there is no better leader than Sarfaraz. And if anyone says anything against Sarfaraz, then they have an ethnic agenda.

[MenInG]

During the first practice session of the Multan Sultans at Gaddafi Stadium, Shahnawaz was seen cleaning chairs ....

[MenInG]

The unstoppable Dahani

[Major]

good article, really like Dahani and want him to do well at international level

[DRsohail]

This guy is so goodz settings an example, we have to keep our environment and everything clean.

[Golden arm]

Saj, but for some people there is no better leader than Sarfaraz. And if anyone says anything against Sarfaraz, then they have an ethnic agenda.

In this era there is absolutely no place for bullying. Leadership doesn't mean bullying or harassing!!!!

[MenInG]

Even Aleem Dar could not stop Dahani....

[shamaan]

He needs to stop acting like clown celebrating a wicket is fine but celebrating over catching is not needed.

[Shaka81]

He needs to stop acting like clown celebrating a wicket is fine but celebrating over catching is not needed.

It's a bit of fun and the PSL benefits from having entertaining players like him rather than some of the boring guys who just turn and go back to their mark for the next ball.

[shamaan]

It's a bit of fun and the PSL benefits from having entertaining players like him rather than some of the boring guys who just turn and go back to their mark for the next ball.

But thiers a limit and he goes beyond that.Yes I understand that it's his personality but he needs to be abit more serious.

[Slim]

Dahani should focus on his bowling. His dramaybazi and antics are not funny anymore and cringe. His bowling is nothing to write home about, has been quite ordinary this PSL.

[DHONI183]

Surprised that there´s no thread on this!

So, what happened was that Dahani had run all the way to the boundary rope, to the dugout of the Quetta Gladiators team and staff members, to celebrate the wicket. When he started to run again after taking the next wicket, umpire Aleem Dar quickly tried to come into the way to stop him from running but failed in the end. Pure comedy!

[Bilal Ahmad15]

Brilliant funny moment

[DHONI183]

It´s pure harmless fun on Dahani´s part, but the world is a little more unfair than that, sadly. Although this is no begrudged or offensive send-off to the batsman, but it can still cause an element of annoyance to the opposition. It´s very much like the West Indies player, of course, but I remember how Sammy´s baby celebration in the IPL, which he invented after having become father just recent to that, was mocked by Brad Hodge after the latter won his team the game against Sammy´s team. I found Hodge´s response disturbing, to be honest. I just hope that nothing similar happens to Dahani, in the PSL or even if he ever plays for Pakistan. Different people interpret such actions differently, even if it just appears to be harmless fun.

[DRsohail]

Dahani has to stop it.

[Bewal Express]

Dahani is trying to create a brand.

[MenInG]

Man of the Match in the Qualifier against Lahore Qalandars for his 3/19

[MenInG]

Even Aleem Dar could not stop Dahani....

This time Aleem let him be

[daytrader]

Happy birthday to Dahani, turning only 24 today! Hope he gets a few games at the Asia cup

[Marooned]

Happy birthday.

Hoping for Dahani time now.

[MenInG]

No idea why Dahani is not in the ODI XI!

[Marooned]

No idea why Dahani is not in the ODI XI!

Someone needs to be on his case.

Gets sidelined for one player or the other then
gets rubber games every series, when pretty much everyone can see his potential.

Doesn't look fair to me.

[shamaan]

Someone needs to be on his case.

Gets sidelined for one player or the other then
gets rubber games every series, when pretty much everyone can see his potential.

Doesn't look fair to me.

Naseem bowls with the new ball hence why they gone with Naseem.

[sweep_shot]

I think Rizwan is a natural leader. His personality suits leadership position.

[MenInG]

Flower met Dahani on the sidelines of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8's draft. The pacer, who played an important role in Sultans' maiden PSL triumph in 2021, shared his recent performance with the coach.

After listening to Dahani, Flower advised the youngster to not play in upcoming BPL 2023 which is scheduled from January 5 to February 16.

"Take rest. Go to home, see your family. You don't need to play in BPL," Flower told Dahani.

[badsha001]

Flower met Dahani on the sidelines of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8's draft. The pacer, who played an important role in Sultans' maiden PSL triumph in 2021, shared his recent performance with the coach.

After listening to Dahani, Flower advised the youngster to not play in upcoming BPL 2023 which is scheduled from January 5 to February 16.

"Take rest. Go to home, see your family. You don't need to play in BPL," Flower told Dahani.

Yup. That should be a standard advise for many players in Pakistan. These guys need to step back and stop playing the matches. They need to focus on their mental and body endurance by training off the field.

[Concerned]

He barely makes the team, he should actively be playing around the world to gain experience

[shamaan]

Flower met Dahani on the sidelines of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8's draft. The pacer, who played an important role in Sultans' maiden PSL triumph in 2021, shared his recent performance with the coach.

After listening to Dahani, Flower advised the youngster to not play in upcoming BPL 2023 which is scheduled from January 5 to February 16.

"Take rest. Go to home, see your family. You don't need to play in BPL," Flower told Dahani.

Some good advise but let's see if he takes this advise on board.

[shamaan]

He barely makes the team, he should actively be playing around the world to gain experience

He needs rest he played all the Qaid E Azam and will play the Pakistan Cup.

[Suleiman]

I think Rizwan is a natural leader. His personality suits leadership position.

I actually agree. He’s a very confident personality. If only he was playing at a high level in all 3 formats then he’d be an easy replacement for Babar.

[Saj]

Flower met Dahani on the sidelines of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8's draft. The pacer, who played an important role in Sultans' maiden PSL triumph in 2021, shared his recent performance with the coach.

After listening to Dahani, Flower advised the youngster to not play in upcoming BPL 2023 which is scheduled from January 5 to February 16.

"Take rest. Go to home, see your family. You don't need to play in BPL," Flower told Dahani.

Will Flower reimburse Dahani for the money he would earn from BPL if he doesn't play in it?

[MenInG]

Taken 6/19 in 10 overs in Pakistan Cup!

[gazza619]

He barely makes the team, he should actively be playing around the world to gain experience

Yes your advise over Andy Flower any day of the week.

[shamaan]

Will Flower reimburse Dahani for the money he would earn from BPL if he doesn't play in it?

He can make more money in the long run.

He should look at it long term rather than short term.

[MenInG]

Dahani been ordinary today - 0/21 in 2 overs.

[FreakCricket]

Very poor captain Rizwan

[Saj]

A bit below par tonight Dahani.

He's not looked at his best of late.

Went for 40 in his 4 overs.

[MenInG]

Dahani meeting Sethi.

Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Najam Sethi met @ShahnawazDahani in Karachi and inquired about his health following his finger injury. pic.twitter.com/7FdwSIwh1e

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 18, 2023