Azhar Mahmood believes Pakistan found the ideal replacement for Razzaq in Faheem Ashraf

Bowling coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team, Azhar Mahmood, believes that the men in green have found the perfect replacement for their legendary all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in Faheem Ashraf.

The all-rounder already made it big onto the international stage with his hattrick in the Second T20I against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi last month where he scalped the wickets of Isuru Udana, Udawatte and Sachith off successive deliveries.

Further, when he came out to bat in the same match, he hit two sixes in the final over of the game to take his side to victory. Pakistan has been in search of a genuine fast bowling allrounder for a while now since Abdul Razzaq called it quits from International Cricket.

“What a player Faheem has proved to be. When I first saw him in the emerging players camp, I knew that this guy had the potential to be the very best. Faheem is a fantastic talent who has the skills and the desire to improve and work hard. I feel that cricket is all about confidence and if given that confidence, Faheem has the potential to become an excellent all-rounder,” claimed Azhar Mahmood according to BRecorder.

Ashraf to receive backing from the management, suggests Mahmood.

“Considering the manner in which Faheem is progressing, people will soon forget about the past. Faheem is hard working and he needs to continue doing so in the future as well. He will always have our backing and encouragement and the results of that backing are there for all to see,” further added the bowling coach of Pakistan.

However, it is still too early to jump the gun by comparing Faheem Ashraf with the likes of Razzaq as the former has represented the men in green in only seven international matches. But there is no shadow of doubt about the enormous talent he possesses.

“His hat-trick in the second T20I and the two sixes he hit in the last over of the final T20I against Sri Lanka are all examples of his skills, which can only be good for Pakistan cricket,” concluded Mahmood.