Shoriful Islam Reflects on PSL Debut Under Babar Azam’s Leadership
A Dream Debut: Shoriful Islam Shines Under Captain Babar Azam’s Guidance
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) atmosphere reached a fever pitch as Peshawar Zalmi kicked off their campaign with a thrilling 5-wicket victory over the Rawalpindi Pindiz. For Bangladesh cricket fans, the match held special significance as star pacer Shoriful Islam made his highly anticipated debut for the Zalmi franchise.
Babar Azam’s Trust
The moment became unforgettable when Peshawar captain Babar Azam personally handed Shoriful his debut cap. While the scorecard showed 0 wickets for 31 runs, Shoriful’s impact was far greater. Bowling three crucial overs during the high-pressure powerplay, he conceded just 20 runs—a commendable feat given how expensive other bowlers were on a pitch that favored batters.
‘He Helped Me A Lot’
Speaking exclusively to T Sports after the match, Shoriful expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and the backing he received from one of the world’s best batters. ‘I’m grateful to make my PSL debut today. I had played with Babar bhai before in the Lanka Premier League. He had seen me play and showed trust. He told me, “Just go and play, do what you feel comfortable with.” He helped me a lot,’ the pacer shared.
Shoriful highlighted the tactical guidance he received during his spell: ‘In my first over, he told me to focus on a good length. He also asked me to tell him what field I needed. He encouraged me to bowl well in the powerplay. I tried to get wickets but couldn’t. That’s okay, I’ll try again next time.’
Looking Ahead
With his debut behind him, the Bangladeshi speedster is already looking toward the future. Addressing the passionate fans who support him, Shoriful had a clear message: ‘Please keep us in your prayers so we can perform well and make the country proud. Even if we have one or two bad matches, don’t worry – we’ll bounce back, Insha’Allah.’
Peshawar Zalmi now looks ahead to their next high-stakes encounter against Islamabad United on March 31. With the confidence of his captain and the support of the fans, Shoriful is ready to make his mark on the PSL stage!
