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Prior to the start of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20, Rohit Sharma’s humorous video with a local UAE pacer is making rounds on the internet. During the practice session of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit said something that left video watchers in splits. At the ICC Academy, Team India players attended a batting session. In the nets, India skipper also showed up and faced a local speedster Awais Ahmad, who bowled extraordinarily to him. Indian batters are gearing up to tackle pacers in the upcoming matches which led to the presence of Ahmad.
Ahmad’s bowling will help India batters to counter left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi in the much-awaited game against Pakistan on February 23. Like Shaheen, Awais is also an ace left-armer and has the potential to bowl inswingers and outswingers. Commending Ahmad’s capability, Rohit said, “Class bowler. Aap humara joota… pair todne ki koshish kar rahe the inswinging yorker maar ke. Badiya bhai badiya. Aap log humko yaha help kar rahe ho, bada acha laga, thank you (You were trying to target my show and break my leg with inswing yorkers. I felt very good that you guys have been helping us practice.”
Who is Awais Ahmad?
Awais is of Pakistan descent as he claims to be a resident of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a state which has produced excellent fast bowlers such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, former Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan. He has also played cricket for 7 District in the UAE. The speedster expressed himself while having a conversation with SportsYaari.
"My name is Awais Ahmad and I am a domestic UAE cricketer who bowls left-arm fast. I played for 7 District in the UAE. I have played for three seasons. I have a connection with Pakistan. I belong from the same district as Naseem Shah – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our coach received an SMS that they need a left-arm fast bowler and he told me that I have to bowl to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I am very excited about it," said Ahmad in an interview with SportsYaari.
