Pakistan fast bowler Salman Mirza: “It doesn’t matter whether I’m playing or not – I always try to stay ready”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan pace bowler Salman Mirza said he always tries to stay ready for any opportunity that comes his way.
Mirza is starting to be used more often in T20Is as he has been highly effective in the shortest format so far.
The 32-year-old has claimed 16 wickets in 11 T20Is at an average of 16.56 and an economy rate of 6.36.
Recently, he was in action in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against South Africa and picked up four wickets in two games at an average of 7.50 and an economy rate of 3.75.
He also did well in the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, taking four wickets in four matches at an average of 25.25 and an economy rate of 7.12.
Knowing he could be included in the playing XI at any time, Mirza wants to grab every opportunity that comes his way and build on the strong start he has made to his international career.
“It doesn’t matter whether I’m playing or not – I always try to stay ready,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Mirza in now representing the Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and has snapped up three wickets in three games at an average of 28 and an economy rate of 8.40.
His time in the BPL will end soon, though, as he has been selected in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which will take place in Dambulla from January 7 to 11.
Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq