"He is a special talent"- Imperious Nicholas Pooran leaves Irfan Pathan in awe

There are some cricketers who we see bat or bowl for the first time, and our instant reaction is “Wow!, He is some talent”. “This guy is gonna be the next big thing in World cricket if he keeps his head firmly on his shoulders,” we wonder. And, the swashbuckling left-handed batsman from the West Indies, Nicholas Pooran incites that sort of a reaction whenever someone sees his bat.

Pooran has that aura about him. He is not that typical tall, muscular West Indian figures of the past, but the guy exudes the same power, panache, and ruthlessness like some of his predecessors. And, in many terms, the swashbuckling southpaw has been the find of the calendar year 2019 in the One-day International format of the game. We all knew what Pooran can do in the shortest format of the game, but could he adjust to the tempo of 50-over cricket, was the big question.

But, till now left-hander has shrugged off all those doubts that his detractors would have had when he made his ODI debut against England earlier this year. Since then, the southpaw has played 19 matches, during which he has racked up 728 runs at an average of 52 and a blistering strike-rate of 110.13 which also includes five half-centuries and two tons.

Two of those half-centuries have come in the past two games against India where Pooran has come into the middle and has proceeded to enthral the fans- much to the agony of the Indian bowlers- with his pulsating strokeplay. And, former Indian bowler- like many others- is very impressed with the southpaw. Irfan feels that Pooran is a class-apart and is someone who could be the next-big-thing in World Cricket.

Nicholas Pooran’s whirlwind assault impresses Irfan Pathan

The former Indian bowler, who also happens to be the first fast bowler from the country to take a Test match hat-trick, took to Twitter where he wrote, “This #nicholaspooran is a special talent. Hope he goes long way…  #WestIndies cricket”

Nicholas Pooran was at his swashbuckling best in the series decider at the Barabati Stadium. The left-hander came into bat after the West Indies had lost a few quick wickets and along with skipper Kieron Pollard, proceeded to shellack the Indian bowlers to the tune of a 64-ball 89- an innings which included just three fours but seven Brobdingnagian sixes.

This #nicholaspooran is a special talent. Hope he goes long way… #WestIndies cricket

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 22, 2019