Sufiyan Muqeem: The young spinner whose fifer rattled Zimbabwe to 57 all-out | Cricket News
The 2nd T20I that was played at the Queens Sports Club in Zimbabwe between Pakan and Zimbabwe, ended up being a pure show of dominance Pakan, who derailed the hosts’ innings and got them all out for 57. They went on to chase the target in 5.3 overs, winning the series taking a 2-0 lead.
But there was one special standout performance of the day, which came in the form of a 25-year-old left-arm wr spinner, Sufiyan Muqeem. The young spinner regered his best T20I figures so far, scalping 5 wickets and conceding just three runs in 2.4 overs.
Coming into the attack in the ninth over, Muqeem got two successive wickets, sending Ryan Burl and Tashinga Musekiwa back to the pavilion. His next pick was Wellington Masakadza, who couldn’t read the spin and got caught at first slip, as the ball ever so slightly turned away from him. Muqeem then went on to castle Richard Ngarava to nip the top of his off stump, with his final wicket being Clive Madande, who looked to sweep the spinner but sent the ball into the air for a simple catch, which aided him in completing his maiden five-wicket haul of international cricket in just seven innings.
The youngsters’ international T20 debut was on the 2023 Asian Games stage, against Hong Kong. With the Pakan Cricket Board now trying to stitch up a well-knit side, the youngster made his comeback to the side in Pakan’s tour to Australia. Though his performances were not that spectacular, his performance in Zimbabwe could potentially cement his position on the side, he also picked up a three-wicket haul in the series opener and now backed up with a fifer in the second.
Sufiyan Muqeem has not had a lot of experience in domestic cricket and has played only five games in the PSL, making his selection to the side a premature one. But his recent performances could also open the door to more avenues in domestic as well as franchise cricket.