Zulqarnain Haider - emerging wicket keeper of Pakistan
Zulqarnain Haider got a chance to play his Test debut after Kamran Akmal’s poor performance with the gloves in the first Test of the four-match series against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In the first Test, the first choice wicket keeper of Pakistan disappointed the management with gloves as well as the bat and the selectors turned towards the backup wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider.
Zulqarnain Haider was born on 23rd April 1986 in the provincial capital Lahore, Pakistan. Zulqarnain represents Pakistan cricket in international arena as wicket keeper batsman. Previously, he has been playing for the under-19 team for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, where he scored only 5 runs. After playing his solitary international game, 24-year-old right-hander went backstage.
After a gap of more than three years, the tall and lanky Lahori boy was recalled to the national side for the Test series against England in June 2010. Though he was drafted in as a reserve-keeper for Kamran Akmal; Zulqarnain was lucky enough to be called back after a long break of three years. Not every player is blessed enough to get a chance to disprove the doubters. However, Zulqarnain is one of those lucky players who have been given an opportunity to prove their mettle in the international cricket.
Although the England’s ground conditions suit Pakistani bowler very well especially the seamers; the wicketkeepers in the near past have suffered due to the settings. The Lahor born and bred wicketkeeper, however, seems well prepared. He played U15 World Cup in England, and in the final game he played as a batsman. Hence the conditions would not be new to him. Zulqarnain has also played five to six years of league cricket in Britain, so he is familiar and well-prepared for the English conditions.
In the domestic circle, Haider plays for Lahore Blues and Pakistan Tele Communication Limited. Zulqarnain made his first class debut in 2003, and during the season he was remarkable with the gloves, as he took 39 catches in only 9 matches. He also proved himself with the bat, scoring 430 runs at an average of 43. Haiders magnificent performance earned him a Sri Lankan tour followed by one to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 with Pakistan A team.
In the modern day international cricket, along with gloves, the wicket keepers play a crucial role with the bat as well. The right-hander has also been brilliant with the bat in domestic cricket. He is averaging 55 in the domestic cricket and scored his first class highest of 161 playing at No. 7 position earlier this year.
So far, he has played 70 first-class matches and in 107 innings he logged 3084 runs at an average of 34.65 with three centuries and 17 half centuries. His performance with the gloves has also been astounding with 209 catches and 13 stumps.
The Lahori thug was also part of the squad that won 2004 U19 World Cup played in Dhaka. Haiders brilliant performance in the final game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 under-19 was duly rewarded by a call up to the national side at the end of the same year.
Kamran Akmal’s continuous bad performances turned out to be a blessing for the tall, gangly Zulqarnain. The selectors axed Akmal for the second Test following his disappointing performance against England in the opening game of the four-match series.
On 6th August 2010, the Lahori boy put his best efforts against England at Edgbaston. Though the debutant scored a first ball duck; he is determinant to perform well in the next four days.
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