Ilyas aims high in HBL PSL

DUBAI: Mohammad Ilyas believes HBL PSL is all about grooming young Pakistan cricketers and maturing those who have already made their names. He says he is playing in the league with an aim to make a name for him.

Ilyas made an instant mark in Pakistan’s domestic cricket, taking 10 wickets on his first-class debut against Islamabad for Peshawar last year.The 20-year-old returned figures of five for 69 and five for 61 in October last year and then backed it up with figures of four for 69 and five for 44 against Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) to finish with an impressive 33 wickets in just five games of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2018-19 edition.

He was picked up by Multan Sultans for HBL PSL-IV.“It’s fantastic to be selected in the PSL,” Ilyas told psl-t20.com. “I was playing a first-class match when I was informed that I would be part of the HBL PSL with Multan squad,” he said.

Ilyas made a mark with his speed and the ability to swing the ball. He has so far managed four wickets in four matches with a best of two for 21 against a formidable Islamabad United batting line-up.

“It’s been great and everyone in Multan is supporting me. I am hopeful that my good performance will help me get a place in the Pakistan team,” said Ilyas.

He said his parents never stopped him from playing cricket. “My family is religious, but they never stopped me from playing cricket,” said Ilyas. “I am thankful to my elder brothers Saeed-ur-Rehman, Shabbir and Zia as they not only supported me financially but also used to help me get permission from the parents.”