This 20-year old is a carbon-copy of Shoaib Malik

Sialkot-born Saif Badar has been hailed as the second Shoaib Malik. Pakistan‘s veteran all-rounder, who was also born in Sialkot, is one of the country’s most well-known cricketers. He has scored over 7000 ODI runs, and is currently representing Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE. On Friday, Malik pulled off a final over victory for Pakistan against Afghanistan in the Super 4 with a brilliant unbeaten 51.

Meanwhile, back in Pakistan, his so-called ‘duplicate’ has been putting on brave displays of batting as well, not to mention displays that resemble Shoaib Malik’s technique to the last detail. On Saturday, Saif Badar scored 58 off just 29 balls, to give his side Khan Research Laboratories a final over victory over Federally Administered Tribal Areas in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Batting first, FATA put up a massive total of 334. Khushdil Shah starred for FATA with a fine century, while Samiullah contributed 81 to his side’s first innings score. In reply Khan RL opener Jaahid Ali took on the attack with 86, while Shoaib Ahmed muscled his way to 68 off 64. When the asking rate was steep, lower down the order came Saif Badar, who struck at 200 to bring up a thrilling victory for Khan RL with just three balls to spare.

Bats, walks, runs like his hero

What’s remarkable is that Badar’s batting technique is almost a perfect copy of the way Malik bats. Saj Sadiq, editor of Pak Passion, tweeted this short video of Badar’s batting in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, saying, “20-year old Sialkot-born Saif Badar. He bats like Shoaib Malik. He walks like Shoaib Malik. He runs like Shoaib Malik. His hero of course is Shoaib Malik.”

20 year old Sialkot-born Saif Badar.
He bats like Shoaib Malik.
He walks like Shoaib Malik.
He runs like Shoaib Malik.
His hero, of course is Shoaib Malik.#Cricket pic.twitter.com/IVFq5yXBNK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 23, 2018

On September 13, Saif Badar put on another brave knock of 86 against Islamabad. The 20-year old, who can also deliver a few leg breaks, represents Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.

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