Zeeshan Zameer fights difficulties as he pursues his dream

• Zameer has emerged as one of the best cricketers in the Pathway Programme.
• He idolizes Australia’s quick Pat Cummins
• He was praised for dismissing Babar in the PSL.

The PCB Pathways Programme has recognised the 19-year-old Zeeshan Zameer, who had pondered abandoning cricket owing to a tough family situation, as one of its brightest talents.

Various obstacles at the beginning of Zeeshan’s career may have threatened his future as a professional cricketer.

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The Karachi-based batsman was confronted with the challenging choice of leaving district-level cricket and returning to his village in KPK to have his sick mother operated on. However, he chose to stay after a local coach offered to pay for the medical expenses.

Given his father’s minimal financial support as a driver for a private firm in Karachi, Zeeshan was always eager to go the additional mile to pursue his ambitions. Zeeshan is one of 107 cricketers in the PCB Pathways Programme with a monthly stipend of PKR30,000 and the chance to be trained by top coaches at the National High Performance Centre.

“PCB Pathways Programme is a very good initiative because I am aware of how difficult it is for players coming from humble backgrounds,” Zeeshan told PCB Digital.

“The players in the programme will be in a better mental space and under less stress as their monetary requirements are being fulfilled by the PCB and they can support their family as well.”

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The growth of the fast bowler may be connected to his outstanding performance in the National U19 One-Day Tournament 2020-21, in which he took 19 wickets in 10 games for Sindh U19. His ability to generate significant bounces has been a key component of his bowling repertoire.

Zeeshan, who idolises Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins, took 11 wickets in three matches in the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2021. Zeeshan also recorded 5-60 against India in the event, leading his team to victory. In the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022, he later took five wickets in as many games.

Life’s challenges have hardened Zeeshan, therefore he suggests responding positively to criticism in order to make growth.

“Some people will often try to discourage you but it is important to not dwell on their comments and focus on your practice and hard work. If you have reached a certain level on the basis of your talent, you should be confident enough to trust your skills.”

This year, Zeeshan made his HBL PSL debut and got Babar Azam’s wicket in only his second encounter. Babar’s stay at the crease was interrupted by Zeeshan’s quick lifter, which was his penultimate delivery in the competition before he was injured.

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Zeeshan’s dismissal of Babar was praised by the cricket community and praised by the Pakistan captain after the match.

“When I got Babar out, it was a special feeling for me. I caught an injury after that match but Babar came to my room and appreciated me, telling me that this setback is part and parcel of the game. He motivated me to continue my hard work and to pursue my dream of representing Pakistan.”