Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, who was a part of the triumphant Pakistan side that lifted the Champions Trophy beating India in the final is moments away from signing with Durham as an overseas player in the Natwest T20 Blast. The No.1 ranked T20 bowler will be part of the squad for five games before leaving for the Caribbean Premier League.
The left-arm spinner has been a vital member of his national team especially in the shortest format of the game and his ability to bowl with guile in the powerplay overs makes him a lethal weapon for his captain. He has the ability to provide early wickets in the powerplay and in his short career he has already shown what he is capable of.
The all-rounder who was born in Swansea made his national debut in the year 2015 and since then he has gone on to become a permanent member of the Pakistan national side in the limited overs format.
The left-arm spinner has impressed one and all during his stint with the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League and while playing for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. The all-rounder is expected to bring solidity to the Durham squad who is missing out on the services of their main foreign recruit Tom Latham, who is recuperating from a foot injury.
If not a cricketer, Imad would have perhaps been a doctor and was in cue to start practising medicine when a call-up for the national U-19 team came and since then there hasn’t been any looking back. Like any other rising star of Pakistan, Imad wanted to emulate his idol Wasim Akram but his coaches weren’t particularly impressed with his pace which made him change to left-arm orthodox which has been a good option for him.
He is a proper lower-middle order batsman too and was part of the Pakistan U-19 team which won the Youth World Cup in 2006 under the captaincy of Sarfaraz Ahmed. He finally broke into the national team when veteran spinner Saeed Ajmal was suspended. He has an impressive overall record and his signing might well prove to be critical for Durham.