Samiullah Khan: “I gave him the go ahead for his first-class debut and he took five wickets against a very strong Karachi side. He played for Pakistan within a year”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan left-arm seamer Samiullah Khan recalled coaching all-rounder Jahandad Khan and knew he was something special as he went on to play international cricket within a year.
Jahandad featured in Pakistan’s tour of Australia and played one T20I, where he scored five runs and took one wicket.
He got more playing time in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he claimed three wickets at an average of 24.
He only batted once in the series, making six not out.
The 21-year-old then received the opportunity to play one T20I against South Africa and picked up two wickets at an average of 20.
“There is a fast bowler from Rawalpindi – Jahandad Khan. I was the head coach there, the player pool from which he was selected was very tough. I did a few sessions with him and saw when he would be ready. I gave him the go ahead for his first-class debut and he took five wickets against a very strong Karachi side. He played for Pakistan within a year,” Samiullah told PakPassion.
Jahandad was not selected for Pakistan’s recent two-Test series against the West Indies, which ended as a 1-1 draw.
He also hasn’t been picked for the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, nor the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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