Zahid Mehmood, hailing form Dadu, has been inducted in Pakistan T20 Squad to play against South Africa
By Allah Bux Khushik
Dadu: It was like an occasion of Eid for the people of Dadu when the Pakistan Squad for the upcoming three T20 matches between Pakistan and South Africa was announced on January 31, as the cricketer Zahid Mehmood Bhatti, hailing from Dadu city, was also inducted in the squad. He is perhaps first Sindhi inducted in national team after several decades.
The people including Zahid Mehmood’s relatives, friends, neighbors and cricket players started distributing sweets and drum-beating and dancing to the cricket songs. A large number of people had gathered at local PCB cricket ground to share their happiness.
Zahid Mehmood Bhatti, whose father Muhammad Salih is an employee of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), was selected by Pakistan Cricket Board Selection Committee for T20 Squad to show his performance against South Africa on 11, 13 and 14 February in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
Zahid Mehmood Bhatti, a right-hand batsman and leg-spinner bowler was selected in PSL last year and now he has become part of national team.
Born on 20th March 1988, Zahid Mehmood started his cricket career in Dadu Brothers team and then he played in Larkana, State Bank, Peshawar Region and the Quetta-Gladiators and now after 11 years he was selected for T20 squad.
Speaking to Sindh Courier Zahid Mehmood Bhatti said that his selection was owing to blessings of Almighty Allah, prayers of family members and help of senior cricketers. “From childhood I loved cricket and followed my elder brother who was also a cricket player,” he told.
Muhammad Salih Bhatti, father of Zahid Mehmood, said that it looks that he is celebrating Eid because not only Dadu but entire Sindh is happy for great achievement of his son.
Senior cricketer and PPP lady MPA Kalsoom Chandio’s brother Pervaiz Chandio said that Zahid Mehmood’s selection is milestone for Sindhi cricket players and Zahid Mehmood’s entry in National team would open a new window for Sindhi players.
Senior cricketer Mama Lahooti lamented that our elected MNAs and MPAs are not helping cricket players and they are not raising voice in assembly. He said that cricket grounds across the Sindh are ruined. He said that Zahid Mehmood Bhatti was selected for his own hard work but in Dadu the cricket players have no facility. “Neither our elected MNAs nor MPAs have taken any kind of effort for cricket players.” He demanded Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sports Minister to take notice of Sindh’s ruined cricket grounds and order for repairing them.
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