What are Kuldeep Yadav’s strengths? He is a left-arm bowler who turns the ball with his wrists and excels at taking wickets. Pakistan, just like India, has brought a spinner similar to Kuldeep Yadav to the Asia Cup. His name is Sufiyan Muqeem. The 25-year-old Sufiyan Muqeem also turns the ball with his wrist. This left-arm spinner has seemingly taken a flurry of wickets in every opportunity he’s had since making his debut for Pakistan. The important thing is that he caught the attention of the PCB by creating a sensation against India in the Emerging Asia Cup.
Muqeem made his debut for Pakistan in October 2023. In the final of the Emerging Asia Cup played in July 2023, Sufiyan Muqeem took 3 wickets for 66 runs in 10 overs. Pakistan A won the title by defeating India A due to his sharp bowling. In September of the same year, the senior Indian team won the Asia Cup. Sufiyan Muqeem had already written his success story by making India A taste defeat, after which he was called to the senior Pakistan team. In October 2023, he played his first T20 match for Pakistan against Hong Kong and took 2 wickets.
Since his T20 International debut, Sufiyan Muqeem has taken 25 wickets in 17 matches. During this time, his economy rate has been 6.29. While his best performance has been taking 5 wickets for 3 runs. This is his best performance in his T20 International career so far, which he achieved against Zimbabwe last year.
Team India has not faced Sufiyan Muqeem till date. In such a situation, he can be Pakistan’s surprise package against India in the match on September 14. And, in such a situation, he can become a threat to India in the Asia Cup 2025.