So, let me tell you about this guy, Ahmed Daniyal.
Now, if you’re like me and grew up watching Shoaib Akhtar tearing through batting line-ups like a man possessed, you probably miss that raw, wild energy in Pakistan’s fast bowling department. I mean, yeah, we’ve got pace bowlers… but Shoaib? That was a different animal. So when I saw Ahmed Daniyal bowling the other night — second T20I against Bangladesh — something in me lit up.
This guy clocked 146 km/h in his very first over. First over! You know how crazy that is? And it wasn’t just some random delivery either. He was firing in hard lengths, angling it across, and hitting good areas. No wayward rocket launchers. It was tight, controlled aggression. That’s rare.
Not Just Speed – The Boy’s Got Nerves
Okay, speed is cool. But let’s talk about something even cooler — temperament.
I’ve seen bowlers come into the spotlight and just… lose their heads. They either get smacked around or start bowling no-balls like it’s a routine. Daniyal? Calm. Composed. Like he belonged there. He sent Parvez Hossain Emon back to the pavilion with his fourth delivery. Then he picked up Shamim Hossain, too. Ended with 2 for 23 in 4 overs — and honestly, that spell might’ve saved the match for us.
And no, I’m not just being dramatic. You had to watch it live to get what I mean. There was this quiet buzz — you know, the kind of moment where you look at the screen and go, “Wait a minute… who’s this guy?”
From Lahore Streets to PSL Nights
The dude’s from Lahore, by the way. Born in 1997 — which somehow feels like five years ago but also twenty, depending on your mood.
I remember when he popped up in PSL 2021 with Lahore Qalandars. Fast, rough edges, clearly a work in progress. But then he got a call-up for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash the next year. That’s not nothing. That means people outside Pakistan saw the potential.
From there, he bounced around a bit — Central Punjab, Lahore Whites, Peshawar Zalmi… the usual domestic grind. It’s never a straight line to the top for our players. Injuries, form, selection politics — there’s a whole Netflix series waiting to be made, I swear.
A Debut with Real Weight Behind It
His debut wasn’t just cricket. It had this emotional undercurrent. After the match, Daniyal said he was dedicating it to his late father. That hit me. I mean, imagine… You finally wear the green shirt, bowl your heart out, and your old man isn’t there to see it. But you still carry that memory. That kind of pain turns into purpose, man.
And the shoulder injury? Yeah, he had one. Could’ve ended his career before it even properly began. But he bounced back. Not because the system helped him (let’s be honest, it rarely does), but because his mom and his friends pushed him to keep going. That’s powerful.
The Shoaib Akhtar Comparisons — Too Soon?
Look, I get it. The moment a Pakistani bowler crosses 145 km/h, someone somewhere screams, “Next Shoaib Akhtar!” It’s like a reflex. But here’s the thing: Daniyal didn’t just bowl fast. He looked like he knew what he was doing with it. That’s where the comparison starts to feel valid. Not that he’s at Shoaib’s level — not yet, not even close. But the spirit of it? That fearless, full-throttle, no-nonsense bowling? That was there. And it was fun to watch.
Let’s Talk Numbers — Quickly
If you’re into stats (which I’m usually not unless I’m arguing with a friend), here’s the gist:
- Domestic T20S: Around 37 matches, 36 wickets, average hovering in the low 30s.
- International Debut: 1 match, two wickets, economy under 6.
Not eye-popping numbers yet, but come on — this was just his first match.
What’s Next? Please Don’t Ruin Him
Now, here’s the part where I get nervous. We’ve seen this before. A young bowler shows promise, and suddenly, everyone’s got expectations through the roof. Then comes overwork, poor man-management, and eventually burnout. Please, PCB, don’t do that again.
Give this guy time. Let him grow. Let him fail a few times. Don’t throw him into the fire and expect miracles every match. Fast bowlers need care — they’re like classic cars. High maintenance, but so worth it when they’re running smoothly.
In a Nutshell?
Ahmed Daniyal might not be a superstar yet. But he gave us a glimpse — just a glimpse — of something special—raw, real, fast bowling with a heart behind it.
And honestly? That’s more than enough for now.
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