A fast-bowling talent from Waziristan springs a surprise
Fast bowler Abdul Haq moved from North Waziristan in Pakistan to Abu Dhabi after being overlooked by the Pakistan selectors
Dustin Silgardo
25-Feb-2013
Fast bowler Abdul Haq moved from North Waziristan in Pakistan to Abu Dhabi after being overlooked by the Pakistan selectors. But he was spotted by the team coach and management during the Abu Dhabi Test against South Africa - and, after a fiery bowling stint at the nets, got an offer to try out again back home. The Express Tribune has more.
"I was called by [Pakistan coach] Waqar Younis - who gave me the title of Tagray Pathan (strong pathan) - to bowl to his batsmen. I felt honoured and extremely encouraged when the batsmen seemed to struggle against my bowling," Haq said. "Younis and [bowling coach] Aqib Javed really appreciated me and later, team manager Intikhab Alam took down my contact details and invited me to the NCA." Haq has played with frontline Pakistan bowler Umar Gul in Peshawar but complained that due to the situation in North Waziristan, he never got proper guidance.
Dustin Silgardo is a former sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo