Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistani pacer believes that Mohsin Khan’s stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI) was significant even though the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer did not play a single match for the most successful IPL franchise. According to the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, the time in the MI nets must have helped Mohsin Khan fine-tune his skills and he is now reaping rewards for the same.
Mohsin Khan, 23, spent three seasons as part of the MI set-up before being picked up by Lucknow at the IPL 2022 auction. So impressive has he been for the new Lucknow Super Giants franchise, that he is being considered as one of the key players for the IPL 2022 Eliminator against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Wednesday.
Shoaib Akhtar: Mohsin Khan Has Done Well So Far But Should Look To Keep Improving Himself And Pick More Scalps
Mohsin Khan is Lucknow Supergiants’ 3rd highest wicket-taker after Avesh Khan and Jason Holder with 13 scalps in only 8 IPL 2022 games. His bowling average is an impressive 13.23 and his best bowling figure is 16/4. The youngster was first picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2018 and was again bought at the auction for his base price at the 2020 auction.
He was brought on board for INR 20 Lakh by LSG. Mohsin Khan, a left-arm medium-fast bowler finally made his IPL 2022 debut for Lucknow Supergiants and has impressed everyone.
Previewing the match that will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shoaib Akhtar said: “When the world stops you, understand that you have that capacity.
“When the world says you are not good enough, you have to keep moving. It was good that Mumbai did not play him. That’s because he was being readied for another team. Mohsin has done well so far, but should look to keep improving himself and pick up more wickets.”
Mohsin Khan has so far claimed 13 wickets in eight matches at an average of 13.23 and an exceptional economy rate of 5.93. He picked up four for 16 in a league clash against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the start of the month.
Shoaib Akhtar: Quinton de Kock Is A Destructive Player And A Game Changer
LSG opener Quinton de Kock will go into the Eliminator on the back of a sensational 140* off 70 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their last league game. Sharing his views on the South African batter, Shoaib Akhtar opined that he plays a lot more freely in the IPL as compared to international cricket.
The 46-year-old Shoaib Akhtar explained: “Quinton de Kock is a destructive player. He is a game-changer, who has all the shots. If you have observed, he is always happy when playing in the IPL and is seen smiling. I have never seen Quinton de Kock this happy in international cricket. There is no pressure on him and he doesn’t look lost.”
Quinton de Kock has smashed 502 runs in 14 IPL 2022 matches for LSG at an average of 38.62 and a strike rate of 149.40. Roped in for INR 6.75 crore, the South African international keeper, Quinton de Kock has been one of the most prolific overseas batting options in recent times in IPL. Last season, the left-handed batsman was part of Mumbai Indians. He had scored 297 runs in 11 games in IPL 2021 at an average of 29.70.
In IPL 2022, he is Lucknow Supergiants’ 2nd highest run-scorer after KL Rahul with 502 runs averaging 38.62 with 3 fifties and 1 ton in 13 games. Lucknow Super Giants had to endure an 18-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last meeting.
But a lot has changed since then and the KL Rahul-led side is now set to take on Bangalore in the Eliminator on Wednesday (May 25). The Eliminator between Lucknow and Bangalore will be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.