Tag: Usama Mir

Worcestershire sign Usama Mir for Vitality Blast stint

Posted on by A Sports

WORCESTER: Worcestershire Rapids has signed Pakistan international leg spinner Usama Mir, one of the stars of the recent Pakistan Super League, for the opening three matches of the 2023 Vitality Blast.

Usama Mir will represent Worcestershire in the away game against Northamptonshire Steelbacks (May 24) and in the home fixtures with Yorkshire Vikings (May 26) and Leicestershire Foxes (May 29).

The 27-year-old is available to provide cover for Mitchell Santner for those games should his side Chennai Super Kings qualify for the latter stages of the Indian Premier League.

Usama Mir will be reunited with Central Punjab teammate Azhar Ali at New Road, who play together in Pakistan’s first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

In that competition, he returned his career-best first-class figures of 6-91 against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last October.

Usama Mir made his debut for Pakistan in an ODI against New Zealand in January, and he has featured in a total of six 50-over internationals, all against the Black Caps.

He has taken ten wickets at an economy rate of 5.29, with a best of 4-43 in Karachi earlier this month.

Usama also significantly impacted the 2023 Pakistan Super League and finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 7.93.

He helped his side Multan Sultans to reach the final, and he had figures of 3-24 against Lahore Qalandars only to lose out on title glory by one run.

Usama Mir was also part of the Muzzaffarabad Tigers team, which reached the final of the 2021 Kashmir Premier League and had his side’s best bowling figures of 2-25.

Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group Chair Paul Pridgeon confirmed: “We have signed Usama Mir for the first three games of the Blast following Mitchell Santner’s side reaching the knockout stages of the IPL.

“He is a leg spinner who bats a bit, and he is already the country. He is playing club cricket for Colwyn Bay and got 140 odd for them on Saturday.

“He has played the last six ODIs for Pakistan and made a good impression, and he has also had a good impact in the most recent Pakistan Super League, which is a good pedigree.

“We hope that Usama can help us get off to a good start in the Blast before Mitchell joins us for the rest of the competition.”

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PAK vs NZ: Usama Mir backs ‘match-winner’ Shadab Khan

Posted on by ali.hassan

KARACHI: Pakistan’s young leg-spinner Usama Mir has thrown his weight behind his fellow Shadab Khan after he shone in Pakistan’s dominating 102-run victory over New Zealand in the fourth PAK vs NZ ODI.

Usama interacted with the media after Pakistan outclassed New Zealand in the fourth ODI of the five-match series which propelled the home side to the top of the ODI rankings for the first time ever.

The leg-spinner returned with sensational bowling figures of 4/43 on a batting-friendly surface which saw Pakistan piling up a mammoth total of 334/6 in the first innings.

He responded to a question regarding his competition with vice-captain Shadab Khan and refuted the claim by stating that he has no tie with anyone in the team and is only focused on his preparations for the World Cup.

“As I told earlier, this team has cultivated a champion mindset, which helps the players be ready for opportunities when they arise,” said Usama.

“There is no such thing that I have a competition with anyone. We are being prepared for the World Cup so that if anyone gets a chance, he will bring success to Pakistan,” he maintained.

Usama Mir then expressed his hope that his fellow leg-spinner Shadab Khan regains his rhythm before the world cup after terming him the match-winner.

“Shadab is our match-winner, he has been very successful for Pakistan in the past, so I think him regaining his rhythm is very important for us and the way he performed in the previous match, indicated that he’s finding it back,” said Usama.

“So, it is a good sign for us ahead of the World Cup and both of us will be ready to grab the opportunity whenever given,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention that Usama’s four wickets after skipper Babar Azam’s record-breaking century aided Pakistan to retain their dominance over New Zealand in the ongoing PAK vs NZ ODI series.

Usama Mir stunned with his inclusion in Pakistan’s squad for NZ ODIs

Posted on by A Sports

KARACHI: Pakistan’s young leg spinner Usama Mir was left awestruck following his inclusion in the recently-announced ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand.

Usama, who was adjudged the best bowler of the recently-concluded Pakistan Cup, got the reward for his consistent performance in the domestic tournament as he received maiden call-up to the national side for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

The leg-spinner was sensational in the Pakistan Cup 2022/23 as he picked up 28 wickets in 11 matches with the best bowling figures of 5/23.

 

The 27-year-old was not among the 24 probables announced for the home ODI series thus his shock inclusion left him awestruck.

Taking to Twitter, Usama expressed his excitement while at the same time looking astounded by the call-up.

“NO WAYYYYY,” Usama wrote on Twitter as interim chief selector Shahid Afridi announced his name among the ODI squad.

“Feels like a dream seeing my name selected in this squad. Alhamdulillah,” Usama wrote in another tweet.

 

It is apropos to mention that Usama was included in the squad in light of the interim selection committee’s decision of resting all-rounder Shadab Khan; citing an injury to his right index finger.

Besides him, left-handed batters Haris Sohail and Shan Masood returned to the ODI squad while two uncapped players Kamran Ghulam and Tayyab Tahir also received call-ups.

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