10 current Asian-origin cricketers who are prospering in international cricket for other teams

#9 Safyaan Sharif (Scotland)

Safyaan helped Scotland to qualify for the 2015 World Cup

Safyaan Mohammed Sharif is one of the lesser known upcoming cricketers of Pakistani origin who has been doing well for Scotland of late. Sharif has been one of the shining lights who helped Scotland win the ICC World Cup qualifiers and qualify for the World Cup in 2015.

Sharif made his ODI debut against the Netherlands where he impressed everyone with his spell of 4 for 27 off 8 overs. He went on to take 7 wickets in three matches including a crucial 3 for 41 against the UAE in the final.

The young confident bowler who looks up to MS Dhoni and Dale Steyn as his role models told PakPassion.net in an interview how he had prospered as a cricketer from a very young age. "I started playing when I was 11 years old at Dunnikier Cricket Club which was my local club. My dad used to play there also, and I began by playing at the junior level.

"From there I went on to Kismet Cricket Club before joining the junior side for Largo at Under 15s, Under 17s and Under 19s – That is where I played all my cricket. I also then played for the Largo senior side. I got a lot of help from Kismet and Largo, and Largo pushed me to district trials where I got noticed and picked for the Scotland side."