Sajid Khan: Pakistan’s off-spin prodigy

Sajid khan is a novelty, to say the least. For starters, he is an off-spinner who is not likely to be called for a suspect bowling action. At long last. With minimal front arm movement his bowling arm does the full circle while delivering the ball. At best his is an unusual action. But it’s a legal one; no chucking here. No defense plea built on hyper extension of the joints. And surely, no optic illusion. Furthermore, he is an off-spin bowler who actually turns the ball into the batters (by batters we mean right-handed ones). Good old offy, more in the mould of Jim Laker, Graeme Swann and Nathan Lyon who are not possessed with the notion of too much trickery. For now, he adheres to conventions rather than inventions.

Then comes the personality, especially what meets the eye. A clean-shaven scalp (though it seems it was providence that forced his hand here) an upward twirled heavy moustache (remember Captain Hook from peter pan?) and a grossly over board post wicket taking celebration a kin to a kabaddi player with one hand pointed skyward and the other slapping the inner thigh of a raised leg. One does understand that all this is designed to instill fear in the hearts of the batters fearing him. But as we all know, and he is bound to find out as his career progress, that most batters playing for their country are not so faint hearted and that pugnacity has always come second to sagacity. Anyhow, we have seen enough evidence to predict that Sajid Khan is here to stay.

Now consider what are the factors going for him, firstly, and foremost, he has come through the ranks and graduated from Pakistan’s domestic cricket setup. 196 wickets in 60 matches (First class and list A matches). No mean feat.

Secondly, Sajid has had a dream start bagging 12 wickets in a match in his only second test series. Granted, he was helped by spin friendly wicket and batting line up bent upon hitting him out of the attack without having the skill to do it. But a glorious start to the career nevertheless, which will do wonders to his confidence.

Thirdly, his action, unorthodox as it may be, earns him exceptional purchase from the playing surface, more than any other Pakistani finger spinner of late.

Fourthly, his doggedness is an asset. He is like a pugilist who keeps coming at you again and again no matter how hard he is hit. This helps him to recover quickly after being hit for runs. We had a glimpse of this attribute of his in Bangladesh where he went for a few runs but hit back to take crucial wickets.

Moreover, he hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has churned out to one prodigy after another in recent times, more than any other region of Pakistan.

Lastly, and as they say not in least, he has been placed under stewardship of the great Saqlain Mushtaq. Here we don’t need to say much other than that there has never been a better finger spinner in the history of Pakistan cricket.

Sajid khan has had an excellent start to his international career and has displayed an exceptional staying power. Now it is for him to win it or lose it. If he works on his fitness and stays in shape to face the rigors of international cricket, polish his craft enough to be in control of drift and spin, develop a well-designed arm ball without compromising his bowling action and manage not to lose his head in the process then we believe that this plucky Pashtun will not be another flash in the plan.

Happy hunting, Sajid Khan.