Waqar Younis backs Faheem Ashraf to become Pakistan's Ben Stokes

Pakistan had a dismal 2019, to say the least. They were unable to reach the semi-final of the World Cup held in England. They lost the T20I series against a second-string Sri Lanka side at home. The Tour Down Under was a nightmare too, as they failed to win even a single match across three T20Is and a couple of Test matches

The Men in Green lacked a hard-hitting all-rounder in their squad who can contribute with both bat and ball. Pakistan legend and the current bowling coach Waqar Younis has an eye on one cricketer that can fill the all-rounder’s position for years to come in Pakistan team. The 25-year-old Faheem Ashraf can become Pakistan’s Ben Stokes according to him.

Waqar lamented not having Faheem fit for the home Test series against Sri Lanka and realises that it is hard to find someone like Stokes. However, he is banking on Faheem to take up that role once he is fit. “We wanted to have him around for the recent Sri Lanka Test series, but he was injured. We would love to have the luxury of an all-rounder in the Test team who can give us that fourth bowling option, especially when you have a young pace bowling attack.

“Look at England with Ben Stokes, who bats at 5 or 6 and is a complete bowling option. It’s very hard to find someone like Stokes, and very searching for that option. Faheem has been around for a while, we want him to get fit, and work on his batting too and fill that all-rounder’s spot,” Waqar Younis told PakPassion.

Faheem Ashraf’s impressive show in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

Faheem Ashraf who has played 4 Test matches, 23 ODIs and 27 T20Is was excluded from the Pakistan team after a below-par performance ahead of the World Cup. But Waqar Younis is hopeful that Ashraf’s recent show in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, will give him immense confidence will soon make a comeback to the team.

While playing for Central Punjab in the domestic tournament of Pakistan against Northern, Faheem Ashraf performed exceedingly well that helped his side win the tournament. Faheem took a five-wicket haul in the first innings and backed it up with one more in the second innings as Central Punjab won a one-sided final by an innings and 16 runs.

The southpaw also scored 118 runs in four innings that included two fifties, at an average of 59 and strike rate of 90. As far as his bowling is concerned, Faheem Ashraf took eight wickets in six innings at an average of 29.62 with a five-wicket haul.

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