LAHORE: Pakistani bowler Shahnawaz Dahani made his T20I debut for Pakistan in the third T20 match against Bangladesh.
Dahani was included in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2021 but did not get a chance to play in the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video of Dahani on their official Twitter handle, where Dahani can be seen talking to his mother on a video call from Dhaka, asking her to pray for him as he is set to make his debut and becomes Pakistan’s 95th T20 player.
After the video call with his mother ends, Dahani shed light on his feeling as the occassion. “I am excited to be making my T20 debut for Pakistan and I cannot put my feelings into words. I couldn’t sleep all night, thinking about my debut.”
“Every player has to wait to play for his country and aims to perform well on the international stage when he gets the chance to do so. He also talked about the call with his mother. “My mother is so happy and excited for me and was giving me blessings to perform well on my debut.”
Update: @ShahnawazDahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh.
He becomes Pakistan T20I player No.95.#HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen | #BANvPAK pic.twitter.com/X6FzHnTBKC— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 22, 2021
Dahani further added that he is excited and has been waiting for this opportunity to represent his country. The pacer wished for two things on his debut which couldn’t be completed. “I wanted to make my debut in front of my family and people of Sindh but that couldn’t be possible in Bangladesh.”
Dahani recalled his childhood passion for cricket. “I used to do farming but that didn’t become a barrier for cricket as I was extremely passionate about cricket. I continued with the same passion and hard work and with Allah’s help, I became Pakistan’s first international player from Larkana.”
The debutant pacer also showed gratitude towards the people of Larkana who supported him and celebrated his achievement after he became the Pakistan Super League’s best bowler.
The right-arm pacer said he was aiming to bag the Player of the Match award in his debut match, saying that it will be a “big achievement” for him.
