LAHORE: The rise of Mohammad Sayyam, Pakistan’s U19 left-arm fast bowler, is a remarkable story of persistence, self-belief, and the guidance of mentors who recognized his potential early, despite the limited cricketing infrastructure in his hometown of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Sayyam’s journey began during his school days, where his performances in trials first brought him into the spotlight. Encouraged by his teacher Mohammad Tahir, he joined an academy and took his first serious steps into cricket. Later, under the mentorship of Ijaz-ul-Haq at the DCA Cricket Academy, Sayyam refined his skills and developed the discipline required to progress through the ranks.
His early performances at the district level paved the way for regional opportunities. In 2023, he represented Peshawar region in the Inter-Region U16 One-Day Tournament, gaining valuable exposure despite rain limiting his appearances. The breakthrough came in the National Men’s U19 Cup, where he claimed 14 wickets in seven matches, earning him a place in the Pakistan U19 squad and the training camp in Multan.
Sayyam’s momentum carried into the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Dubai, where he picked up 10 wickets in five matches, including two in the final against India. Reflecting on his journey, he described representing Pakistan as a moment of immense pride for himself and his family, especially given the challenges of coming from a region with scarce facilities.
Drawing inspiration from legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram, Sayyam aspires to follow in his footsteps. His immediate focus, however, is on the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he aims to deliver strong performances and contribute to Pakistan’s success. Already, he has shown promise with three wickets in the tri-series in Zimbabwe and appearances in two of Pakistan’s three World Cup matches in Harare.
