From a far-flung village in the Poonch district of Pakistan-administered Kashmir to the NSW Premier League, the journey has been long and arduous for Salman Irshad.
Since his childhood, Salman has played cricket in the mountains of Kashmir with meagre facilities. His village in Pakistan had no stadium or ground to play cricket. But what he did have was a dream to become a seasoned cricketer one day.
Highlights:
- Salman Irshad hails from a less-privileged area in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
- He was selected to play in Australia by former Pakistani cricketer and coach Aaqib Javed
- Salman has played for NSW Premier League and Pakistan Super League
“I would play in the fields and the mountains where space wasn’t adequate. I hadn’t even been to proper a stadium and playground during those days,” he tells SBS Urdu.
He made his debut as a professional cricketer for AJK Jaguars to play against Lahore Region Blues in the National T20 Cup of Pakistan in 2015.
It was during a player development program conducted in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in 2017 that former Pakistan‘s fast-medium pace bowler and coach Aaqib Javed spotted him.
He selected Salman to play for Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League (PSL) and from there, his life took a different line and length.
“I was a university student at that time and I thought, why not go for the trial. I was only thinking about going for it regardless of the results,” he added.
The speed gun at the trial recorded Salman’s bowling speed at 145 kph.
He remembers when Aaqib Javed came to him and appreciated his speed and unique action.
“I was the only one to be selected out of nearly 35,000 participants in the trial. It was the turning point of my life,” he recalls.
After the trial, Salman was sent to Australia for 10 days for a training camp in New South Wales.
“It was just like heaven for me. It was a new world and a dream to play on Sydney grounds. I came to Australia for 10 days but I got a contract with Hawkesbury Cricket Club for six months,” he adds.
Salman then played in PSL 2018 for Lahore Qalandars and bowled out Misbah ul Haq, known for his big hits.
Salman Irshad has played for Lahore Qalandars In PSL. Source: Supplied by Salman Irshad
Recalling that moment, he said, “I hadn’t played with international players till then and it was a new experience for me. But I learned how to go about it with the passage of time.”
Salman was also chosen Man of the Match in a match during PSL 2020.
When he was playing in the NSW Premier League in 2018, Salman also got a chance for some net practice with Virat Kohli, captain of the Indian cricket team, as the Indian cricket team was on tour to Australia.
“Somebody told them that there were two Pakistani bowlers here. They [Indian cricket team] called Haris Rauf and myself for net practice,” Salman recalls fondly.
Every fast bowler wants to play with the best batsmen, says Salman.
“Virat was on the top of the ICC ODI ranking at that time. It was a dream-come-true for me,” he adds.
Salman played for Hawkesbury Cricket Club in 2017, in which he played four matches and got 22 wickets.
“Because of my performance, I was selected in the playing XI for Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2018,” he adds.
Salman later played for Blacktown District Cricket Club for two years. He says his contract with this club is still on but due to border closures, he has been unable to participate in any game.
Comparing cricket in Australia and Pakistan, Salman said that the major difference was the weather.
Salman Irshad playing for Lahore Qalandars in Pakistan Super League. Source: Twitter Salman Irshad
“The Australian weather is quite pleasant for fast bowlers and their cricket grounds are well-maintained. Domestic cricket in Australia is good and key keep improving it. In Pakistan, the current government is working on it,” he said.
Salman is currently in Pakistan Cricket Board’s National High-Performance Centre where he is attending a camp under cricket coach Misbah Ul Haq.
He said he “will surely return to Australia to play cricket” once travel restrictions ease.
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