Faheem Ashraf credits Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim for his T20I hat-trick

Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has made remarkable progress in international cricket. Ever since he broke out at the big stage with a whirlwind knock during the warm-up fixtures of the Champions Trophy this year, there has been no looking back for the all-rounder. Faheem’s most recent heroics came when the men in green played Sri Lanka in the shortest format of the game.

In the second T20I of the three-match series, Faheem Ashraf ended up bagging a hat-trick. He became the first Pakistani cricketer to take a hat-trick in T20Is. He became the 6th cricketer overall to achieve this feat in T20Is. As per the recent quotes in PakPassion, Faheem mentioned that he was not aware of the fact that he had entered the record books with his efforts.

“It’s difficult to describe my emotions during and after the hat-trick but it was an incredible moment. I had no idea until after the match that I was the first Pakistani cricketer to complete a hat-trick in a Twenty20 international,” quoted Faheem Ashraf.

Imad suggested the hat-trick delivery

Recalling the big moment, Faheem Ashraf remarked that it was the insight of veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik that helped him with the hat-trick. He noted that Malik had asked him to bowl a good length delivery and avoid bowling short delivery. The trick worked and he managed to bag two in two balls. For the hat-trick delivery, it was Imad Wasim, who suggested him to try an inswing delivery to get an lbw decision.

“Shoaib Malik came up to me and told me to keep bowling the right length for that wicket. He asked me to bowl on a good length and not bowl short. For the first wicket I bowled a slower ball and Hasan Ali took a superb catch. For the second wicket I took on board the advice of Shoaib Malik and bowled a good length delivery,” quoted Faheem.

“For the hat-trick delivery Imad Wasim told me to bowl a good length in-swinger and the batsman will be leg before or bowled and that’s what happened as the batsman was out lbw,” Ashraf added further.