PSL 2021: Mohammed Wasim hopes to 'make UAE proud' after call-up to Multan Sultans squad

UAE batsman, who impressed in the Abu Dhabi T10, was recruited as a replacement player ahead of the competition’s resumption next month

Mohammed Wasim was a star batsman for Northern Warriors during their run to the Abu Dhabi T10 title Abu Dhabi Cricket

Mohammed Wasim says he wants to make the UAE proud after he was called into the Multan Sultans squad for the Pakistan Super League.

The 27-year-old batsman was recruited as a replacement player ahead of the competition's resumption in Abu Dhabi next month.

The competition was postponed midway through the season back in March as a result of an outbreak of Covid cases. At short notice, plans have now been put in place to stage the remaining 20 matches at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the capital from June 5.

The rescheduling and relocation had meant a number of players from the original playing rosters have been rendered unavailable for the remainder of the event. Players have to quarantine for 10 days before they can start training.

Wasim was one of two UAE players called in to cover the losses in the replacement player submissions announced on Saturday.

Sultan Ahmed, the national team’s T20 specialist, was also drafted in to the Lahore Qalandars squad.

The left-arm spinner is already well know to the Lahore franchise, having represented them with distinction in the past two seasons of the Abu Dhabi T10.

The T10 is also likely to thank for Wasim’s elevation to the PSL, too – particularly when considering he has yet to even play for the UAE.

Wasim has only just become eligible for his adopted country via the ICC's three-year residency criteria, but he has caught the eye in the T10.

His move to Multan Sultans will reunite him with Andy Flower, the coach who spoke highly of Wasim’s talent when he was in charge of the Maratha Arabians in the T10 in 2019.

Wasim was a non-playing member of that title-winning team, but he was a central figure as Northern Warriors won the title earlier this year.

During that campaign, he blazed away to equal the fastest half-century in the T10, matching the 12-ball record set by two superstars of the sport – Mohammed Shahzad and Chris Gayle.

“This is my dream come true,” Wasim said on Saturday after his selection for Multan. “It feels like my home team as Multan is very near, maybe one hour, from my home town [Mian Channu].

“I am feeling very confident, and, Inshallah, I will do my very best. I am looking forward to playing against bowlers like Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Afridi, and playing alongside our big star Shahid Afridi. There are so many great players there.

“I am very excited and I want to do my best. Hopefully I will make UAE proud.”

Wasim is looking forward to being reunited with Flower, whom he described as “a very good coach and a very good person also” after their time together in T10.

He is also focused on making his friends and family happy if he gets a chance to play.

“I have received so many messages, and people have been posting things on social media saying they are happy and wishing me luck,” Wasim said. “It makes me feel very proud.”