Saqib Mahmood Without giving away a single run in his first over, Samson managed just one run while Tilak and Surya departed without troubling the scorers. Mahmood became the first English player to bowl a triple wicket maiden against India in a T20I, and the first from any team to do so. Samson decided to play the pull shot without looking at Mahmood and paid the price for it. He was caught at deep square leg due to lack of room and was dismissed for 1 run off 3 balls.
India’s in-form Tilak Varma ran down the track and was caught by the third man fielder to register his first golden duck of his career while Mahmood picked up two wickets off the first two balls of his spell.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav came in to bat at number four and unlike Samson and Tilak, decided to give Mahmood the honours. He played three dot balls from the right-arm pacer off the last ball of the over and then nicked one to the mid-on fielder.
Saqib Mahmood is an exciting fast bowler who has emerged as one of England’s most promising pacers in recent years. With his ability to generate raw pace, extract bounce and swing the ball, Mahmood has become a key figure in England’s white-ball and Test cricket setupa
Early Life and Domestic Career
Saqib Mahmood Born on February 25, 1997 in Birmingham, England to Pakistani parents, Saqib Mahmood developed a passion for cricket at an early age. He honed his skills at Lancashire County Cricket Club, where he quickly rose through the ranks. His ability to consistently bowl at speeds in excess of 140 km/h, combined with his accuracy, makes him stand out in age-group cricket.Mahmood made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 2016 and impressed with his blistering pace. He gained recognition for his performances in domestic competitions, particularly the Royal London One-Day Cup and the T20 Blast, where he consistently troubled batsmen with his lethal pace and movement.
International success
Saqib Mahmood’s international breakthrough came in 2019 when he was called up to England’s squad for the T20 series against New Zealand. Although he didn’t get opportunities immediately, he continued to impress in domestic cricket and England’s development squad.His moment of recognition came in 2021 when he played a key role in England’s ODI series against Pakistan. With the main squad unavailable due to COVID-19, a second-string England team was assembled and Mahmood led the bowling attack. He made an immediate impact, demolishing Pakistan’s top order and earning the Player of the Series award for his outstanding performance.
Test cricket and future prospects
Mahmood made his Test debut for England against the West Indies in March 2022. Despite England struggling in that series, he demonstrated his ability to bowl long spells and generate reverse swing, reminiscent of England’s legendary pacers. His performances in red-ball cricket have cemented his place as a genuine fast bowler for the future.
Playing style and strengths
Saqib Mahmood’s primary strengths are as follows:
Pace and bounce: He consistently clocks speeds in excess of 140 km/h and generates sharp bounce, making him difficult to tackle.
Reverse swing: A skill he has developed by watching and learning from experienced pace bowlers.
Transition to limited-overs cricket: His ability to bowl deadly yorkers and deceptive slower balls makes him a potent weapon in the white-ball formats.
Challenges and comeback from injuries
Like many fast bowlers, Mahmood has had to deal with injuries which have hampered his progress. A stress fracture in his back has ruled him out of the game for a significant period in 2022, but he has worked hard on his fitness and bowling to make a strong comeback.