Usman Shinwari reveals his bowling idol

Pakistan speedster Usman Khan Shinwari said that he idolizes former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar and loved the speed at which Akhtar used to bowl and pick wickets. The pacer admires the former bowler and tries to emulate him everytime he steps into the field.

“If there is one bowler who I consider my role model, then that is Shoaib Akhtar. I especially loved the way he could bowl at such quick speeds and take wickets, and that is what I am also trying to do every time I come in to bowl,” said Shinwari, quoted PakPassion.net.

Shinwari was signed by the Melbourne Renegades to play for the side in the ongoing Big Bash League and has been in the news as he bowled the fastest ball of the T20 League.

“In the game against Melbourne Stars, I was able to bowl that 151 km/h delivery as I was feeling that my rhythm was very good. Throughout that spell, I was saying to myself to bowl at the fastest speed I could and thankfully that worked and I produced that really quick delivery,” he said.

Shinwari has been good in the Big Bash League as he has picked 8 wickets in 7 matches with a best of 3/16 against his name.

Shinwari made his international debut against Sri Lanka in 2013 in T20Is but couldn't cement his place in the national team. Four years later, he made a comeback and also made his ODI debut against the same team he made his T20I debut. In the second match of his career, he took his maiden five-wicket haul, completing it in only 21 deliveries.

His fast bowling efforts in the Big Bash should come as a much-needed relief for the Pakistan national side. Pakistan got outplayed in South Africa, with the Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed pointing out the lack of speed by the side's fast bowlers throughout the series versus the Proteas.

South Africa v Pakistan - 3rd Test

With the national side in need of fast bowlers and Shinwari bowling well in the BBL, he can hope to bring both his career back and his country's performances back on track.