Peshawar Region fell agonizingly short of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy glory, finishing as runners-up after a thrilling one-wicket loss to Sialkot in the final at UBL Sports Complex. However, their journey to the final was marked by resilience, led by a formidable bowling trio spearheaded by Niaz Khan, Mohammad Amir Khan, and Sajid Khan.
At the heart of Peshawar’s campaign was 23-year-old pacer Niaz Khan, whose stellar performances saw him finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 39 scalps at an average of 20.13. His relentless effort throughout the season, including a match haul of 9-112 in the final, earned him the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.
Reflecting on his achievement, Niaz expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am grateful to the Almighty for helping me achieve this goal of becoming the top wicket-taker of Pakistan’s prestigious first-class tournament. It is a matter of pride for me and my family.”
Hailing from Swat, Niaz’s cricketing journey has been one of perseverance and steady growth. Having represented Pakistan U19 in 2019, he transitioned through the ranks—from district cricket to the second XI—before making his first-class debut for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2021. His red-ball career began with an impressive 5-58 against Sindh, and he has since amassed 79 wickets in 24 matches, including four five-wicket hauls.
Niaz attributes much of his success to the support staff at Peshawar, particularly head coach Zohaib Khan, a former first-class cricketer. “Our head coach Zohaib Khan has been instrumental in preparing us for the red-ball challenge. He understands the players well and has played a big role in my development.”
A keen student of fast bowling, Niaz models his game on West Indies’ Kemar Roach. “I follow Kemar Roach as my role model and often learn by watching him bowl,” he shared.
With his sights set on his next challenge, Niaz is now gearing up for the President’s Trophy Grade-I 2024-25, where he will represent State Bank of Pakistan. Given his rapid rise and relentless work ethic, Pakistan’s domestic circuit may soon witness the emergence of another fast-bowling star.
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