Lahore Qalandars' ambidextrous pacer Yasir Jan to train at MCC

Pakistan has a history of producing some extraordinary fast bowlers including the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar. Very recently a unique fast-bowling talent from the country has grabbed the limelight. Yasir Jan who is ambidextrous pacer will get to practice at the prestigious and historic Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and Watford Town Cricket Club.

The 21-year old came into scenes first during the talent hunt program, the “Rising Stars” which was organised by the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars in 2016. The gifted fast bowler has the ability to bowl at 145kmph with his right-arm and around 135kmph with the left-arm. The PSL franchise signed the pacer on a 10-year developmental contract last year.

Training program in the UK

Yasir will now be leaving for the UK, where he will participate in a three-month long training program at the MCC and Watford Town Cricket Club. “Yasir Jan is now being sent for a cricket grooming and training program at Marylebone Cricket Club and Watford Town Cricket Club where his skills will be harnessed and he will receive extensive cricket training from the best the cricketing world has to offer at the home of cricket,” said the PSL franchise in a statement.

Yasir comes from Charsadda, a town located 29km from Peshawar. Cricket had been a “part-time passion” until he took a break from his work in 2016 to attend the talent hunt in Rawalpindi. Atif Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars praised the pacer for a prospective future and considers him an exceptional talent for Pakistan cricket in the future years.

“Not every individual with raw talent is discovered, and even less so, encouraged. We want to ensure Yasir has every opportunity to develop as a cricketer and hone his unique talent,” said Rana.

“Yasir is a special talent, the only ambidextrous fast bowler of Pakistan. His development is extremely important to both us as well as to Pakistan cricket,” he added.

Lahore Qalandars director Aaqib Javed was the first person who spotted Yasir Jan during the talent hunt program.  “We found gems like Mohammad Irfan and Yasir… I believe this Rising Stars initiative will continue on to become Pakistan’s future pipeline of cricket talent,” he said.

Earlier in 2016, Aaqib had said, “Yasir was “raw” at present, and that it would take him another year or so to become ready to play competitive cricket.”