Published: Jan 24, 2017, 03:55 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 24, 2017, 03:55 PM (IST)
We have seen bowlers take hat-tricks in cricket. We have seen them finish with impressive returns, conceding minimal runs and doing maximum damage for the opposition. But what Sarfaraz Ashraf achieved recently in a local T20 game is phenomenal. In a spectacular performance, the left-arm spinner Sarfaraz took 6 wickets without conceding a single run while playing for Young Pioneer Cricket Club against Mercara Youth Cricket Club in the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) T20 tournament, in Bangalore. During his dream spell, Sarfaraz also claimed a hat-trick as his team came out comfortable winners by 107 runs in the match. His 6-wicket haul comprised of 5 wickets on consecutive deliveries and he was unlucky not to get a double hat-trick after the umpired turned down a close LBW appeal.
“I look to bowl aggressively to contain runs and I believe this gets me wickets. I bowl side-on like Lasith Malinga just to confuse the batsman. If a batsman is exploiting one area and getting all of his runs, I try to concentrate on one area which appears to be his weaker side,” the left-armer was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror. “I also appealed for the lbw but the umpire thought it was missing leg stump,” the report quoted him as saying on not being able to pick up a double hat-trick.
The 27-year-old bowler said that he hopes his performance gets noticed and he gets an opportunity to play in the IPL. “I hope selectors see this performance and I get called for any Indian Premier League team. I’m also trying very hard to perform well and go from strength-to-strength. I want to break into the national team. I feel I am performing well but not falling into the selectors’ radar,” Sarfaraz was quoted as saying.
Interestingly, the spinner was also a key member of the Hubli Tigers team that went on to win the 2016 Karnataka Premier League (KPL) title.
